Different melodica sounds
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Good morning to all melodica enthusiasts on this forum.
I’ve being reading the posts and topics for some time and today decided to join the discussion.
There are quite a wide selection of melodicas available on the market, some with different sound types. Some of them sound like a harmonica, some of them have a more accordion-like sound and some of them also have a sound that is described as being brassy or sounding like a concertina.
Personally I prefer those instruments with an accordion-like sound, since I also play harmonicas. But different people have different tastes.
Witch melodica sound type do you prefer?
Wouldn’t it be nice if manufacturers of melodicas were able to standardize the sound types of their instruments so that a prospective buyer would know witch sound type melodica he/she is buying?
Regards
JohanHi Johan,
Welcome to the forum. Yes, different people are attracted to different sounding melodicas depending upon personal preference and the type of music they play.
Personally, I like my melodicas to sound dark. Most of them do not sound dark, so I shape the sound a bit using EQ.
Regards,
Lowboy
Hello Johan, for me, depending on the piece I am going to record or perform, the melodica needs to mix well with other instruments and the musical piece so tone becomes the main factor in that instance. If you prefer to play one style of music and you normally only play or practice on your own or only play the melodica for fun, then finding that one melodica that works with your personal taste is all you need. If your goal is to become a melodica virtuoso then as your ability to perform more difficult musical pieces or different styles or of music your needs will change and so will your melodica. It will need to have a more full and rich sound and it will need to perform with more precision. Change is good and it also motivates. I do stand firm on only spending money on an expensive melodica only if you believe your current melodica does not perform and sound as you need. I hope this helps you.
Melodica-Me
Monsters of MelodicaHello Johan, for me, depending on the piece I am going to record or perform, the melodica needs to mix well with other instruments and the musical piece so tone becomes the main factor in that instance. If you prefer to play one style of music and you normally only play or practice on your own or only play the melodica for fun, then finding that one melodica that works with your personal taste is all you need. If your goal is to become a melodica virtuoso then as your ability to perform more difficult musical pieces or different styles or of music your needs will change and so will your melodica. It will need to have a more full and rich sound and it will need to perform with more precision. Change is good and it also motivates. I do stand firm on only spending money on an expensive melodica only if you believe your current melodica does not perform and sound as you need. I personaly like the accordion sounding melodicas. I hope this helps you.
Melodica-Me
Monsters of MelodicaJohan,
Interesting idea.
I think it would help potential customers to not only create standardized names for particular types of melodica sounds, but to also provide videos with high quality sound to give customers a better idea of what they’re thinking about buying.
I prefer a dark, focused sound. In other words, I prefer a harmonica like sound over an accordion one. I find it difficult to record and mix instruments that are overly bright. Although admittedly it is usually easier to remove high frequencies than it is to try to add them.
Great topic– I’m looking forward to reading some more responses :).
Steven
Interesting topic. I grew up listening to melodica in dub and reggae, Augustus Pablo, King Tubby etc without knowing it was actually a melodica. I thought it was some kind of synth setting. No doubt it was heavily altered in the editing booth but the hohner metal bodied piano 26 and piano 27 actually make this reggae style sound.
What I have also been interested in is the use of Melodica in Irish traditional music (ITM) Australian folk is a close relative to ITM also…. Think Troy’s Songs of the Sea project.
Karen Tweed won the Fleadh ‘Miscellaneous Instrument’ competition many times playing melodica, if you have heard her play accordion you would know what I am talking about. The Irish folky sound can be found through detuning apparently… Also a big fan of Paddy Richter tuning on harmonicas…
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