melodica

[Benthic]

So, anyone play melodica?

[Dr Teeth]

I Play melodica. I have an old suzuki model that sounds very good, but some keys started not sounding. If you are looking to buy one i would recommendo you some yamaha model, that costs about $100. Melodica has this romantic, melancolic sound that i like, and i have used it doubling the brass lines for a song. It was a great weird soung. hope this help.

[Tedly Nightshade]

I've played it before. Helped a lot to have healthy lungs from the trumpet! That's what kept the keys player from taking it up.

[Jonathan Hughes]

I have a hohner melodica that I used to play in an old band (when I wasn't playing bass). I still use it ocasionally. It's got a great sound, but the tine (or whatever they're called) on the middle G is a little bent, so it's a little sharp and not very loud. Does anyone know if these can be fixed?

[Krakit]

I have a Hohner melodica too. It's been through a lot, but it has a fun sound.

 

Carl

[D_dup3]

Here's a tip that may come in handy---in order to see the key board of a melodica (without getting cross-eyed), find some flexible tubing & duct-tape it to the mouthpiece, allowing the instument to be set on a stand; run the tube up your mic stand.

[ELP71]

I have a Suzuki "Melodian" - which I think is just a fancy name for a melodica. I've lost the tube and fancy leatherette carrying-case (w/red felt lining), but the little devil still fits the bill. I keep it next to the computer if I need to honk a pitch while transcribing or arranging.

[marino]

I used to play an Honer melodica, I just love the feel! I am thinking to buy a new one soon - it has that sound between an harmonica and an accordion, and you can take it to the beach with you. Fun!

[loxley11]

does anyone know if you can bend notes on a melodica like you can on a harmonica? After all, that's pretty much what it is, isn't it? I have an accordion that I've taught myself to use, and it is expressive, but if you can be even more expressive with the melodica, then seems worthwile, especially with the sensible price.

 

thanks,

loxley11

[yannis D]

I play a Hohner melodica in some of my group's instrumentals. Usually i play with a bit of delayy yy y (reggae, Augustus Pablo style)it gives some good taste to the mix i think. Most of the time this "works" for the audience much more than the Hammond or the other "official" keys )

Regards

Yannis

[Reverend Rhythm]

I have a Hohner melodica. It's a fun cheap instrument to have around. I don't see how you could bend the pitch, but maybe somebody knows something I don't know.

[D_dup3]

Originally posted by loxley11:

does anyone know if you can bend notes on a melodica like you can on a harmonica? After all, that's pretty much what it is, isn't it? I have an accordion that I've taught myself to use, and it is expressive, but if you can be even more expressive with the melodica, then seems worthwile, especially with the sensible price.

 

thanks,

loxley11

I don't currently have one so I can't test this for certain but I don't recall being able to do that.

Part of what allows bending on harmonica is that the reeds are very thin & it doesn't take all that much breath force to literally bend them, distorting the pitch. Melodica reeds may be either too thick for that or even made of a material (like plastic) that prevents it...but again, I'm not certain.

Another possibility is that the air passage may be too wide to concentrate the breath---harmonica airways are tiny. If that's the snag maybe there would be a way to narrow the airway...?

[loxley11]

Just so I'm on the same page, is that what was played on all those 80's songs, or was that just a synth harmonica patch (or a harmonica for that matter).

-"That's what Friends are for" is the only one I can think of off the top of my head, unfortunately, and whoever was playing that could bend notes.

 

Thanks,

loxley11

[StonedAndFunky]

I got one of those! It's a Hohner too and I've still got all the stuff, like the tube and little carrying case. You actually can bend notes on it, but it's hard. You can either overblow it, like on a harmonica, or press the key down the least possible amount while still getting a tone. Usually I use both techniques at the same time and that works pretty well. It's definately not the soulful, intuative bending of a harmonica or sax, but it works. I love playing this thing and it's actually really loud for such a small instrument. It's pretty good at doing horn lines if you don't have a real horn or two, but I find it's actually somewhat harder to solo on than a piano because of the little keys. I've got little fingers, but if I'm really getting into it I'll be slamming two notes per finger a lot of the time. Finally, what better way is there for a keyboardist to play anywhere without having to haul hefty gear and plug stuff in. It's kind of like the piano player's acoustic guitar (well, maybe not, but you see what I mean).

 

Smokey peace, Casey

[Carlito]

I wish it had a simple set of buttons on the left side so you could play bass notes with your left hand. I don't know if my lungs could take it, though

[Chris Link]

Used to play one years ago. Mostly on our only polka tune- "The Ayatollah Polka". Don't ask what the lyrics were, please. Made a nice accordian-type sound if you held down a chord and used staccato breaths to get the rhythm.

 

Never tried bending notes (think Don Fagen), but there's a lot of good info on this site:

 

http://www.melodicas.com/melodicas.htm

 

"Bending notes.  As mentioned earlier it is more difficult to bend notes on a melodica than a harmonica as you are further from the reeds. It is however possible. While holding down a key and blowing steadily, slowly lift your finger allowing the key to rise (so it is at the point where the air flow is incomplete or choking the reed). At this time you will hear the pitch change. A technique can be developed where by playing pressing the keys half way down while blowing, this Bending of notes will occur. Good luck."

 

Good luck probably sums it up pretty well.

 

Might have to go out and buy one.

[Chris Link]

Used to play one years ago. Mostly on our only polka tune- "The Ayatollah Polka". Don't ask what the lyrics were, please. Made a nice accordian-type sound if you held down a chord and used staccato breaths to get the rhythm.

 

Never tried bending notes (think Don Fagen), but there's a lot of good info on this site:

 

http://www.melodicas.com/melodicas.htm

 

"Bending notes.  As mentioned earlier it is more difficult to bend notes on a melodica than a harmonica as you are further from the reeds. It is however possible. While holding down a key and blowing steadily, slowly lift your finger allowing the key to rise (so it is at the point where the air flow is incomplete or choking the reed). At this time you will hear the pitch change. A technique can be developed where by playing pressing the keys half way down while blowing, this Bending of notes will occur. Good luck."

 

Good luck probably sums it up pretty well.

 

Might have to go out and buy one.

[synthdogg]

I picked up a Hohner melodica years ago for a tour (I didn't want to get an accordian for the gig...) and completely fell in love with it. I use it all the time.

 

About using the "tube" mouthpiece to see the keys, Hohner started shipping their melodicas with angled mouthpieces! Sometimes it's the simplest ideas........

[g.]

I have an old suzuki model that sounds very good, but some keys started not sounding. If you are looking to buy one i would recommendo you some yamaha model

Quit blowing chunks in there. That can happen to any brand of melodica.

[marino]

Originally posted by marino:

I used to play an Honer melodica, I just love the feel! I am thinking to buy a new one soon - it has that sound between an harmonica and an accordion, and you can take it to the beach with you. Fun!

An update: Last Christmas, I bought myself a new melodica - a rather large one, with a good sound. I can't recall the brand, but I think it's Japanese. I'm bringing it to every sort of musical situation, and it's a *lot* of fun.