18 August 2014 My new 3D printer After my last post, I visited the 3D printing shop, where they were putting on a demonstration for beginners. I showed them a photo of what I was intending to make, and it all looked very straight forward. I went ahead and ordered the FlashForge Creator Pro. Once I got it home, I eagerly set it up (a couple of hours work, as there weren’t any detailed instruc... »
What’s a melodica? It’s a handheld instrument with a mouthpiece and piano-style keyboard. The player blows through the mouthpiece, and presses one or more keys on the keyboard to make a sound. It is like a cross between a harmonica (mouth organ) and a piano accordion. Like these instruments, it belongs to the ‘free reed’ family. How does it work? When the play... »
8 July 2014 Ebony and Ivory I’ve found that through extended practice, the plastic keys on the Yamaha P32D (and the Clavietta) start developing small pits. When this happens, I normally buy a new melodica, which means I also get the benefit of a whole new set of reeds. I’d like this melodica to be much more hard wearing, more in line with a quality instrument. I’ve had some very ... »
This is an Irish ‘reel’ played on the Yamaha P37D melodica »
Jonathan Batiste talks about his Suzuki Pro37 melodica »
7 July 2014 Measuring up While the keys have been quite simple to measure up, it hasn’t been so easy trying to measure the chambers within the ‘skeleton’ section. This piece has been injection moulded with 32 air passages in place, and the only way to get into the space was by sawing it in half to reveal the cross section: From this new viewpoint we were able to recreate the air ... »
So, you’ve been playing for a while now, and you’re comfortable with the basics. Here’s some tips for taking your playing up to the next level No. 1 Use the mouthpiece rather than the hose. Keeping the mouth as close as possible to the instrument allows for more control and expression No. 2 Relaxation is the foundation of good technique. Too much tension will... »
Once I knew that this melodica was airtight, and working well, I can finally get to my favourite bit – making it look nice! Ivory ‘white’ keys I started with building the little piano style keys. I already had some ivory pieces salvaged from an old piano. It was time to cut them to size. Of course, I needed a new machine just for this purpose, and found a lovely miniature table saw (Pr... »
Reggae melodica video Pablo Augustus live at Japansplash with the Soul Syndicate Band »
Kiki Sanchez playing the Melodica (Lando Blues) »
Jacob Fournel plays his new invention, the “Seraphone”. This first prototype of this brand new melodica was completed in May 2014 with Marc Sérafini, a french accordion maker. It has a particular, sweet powerful tone, due to the walnut wood, large resonant case, and high quality reeds. The big difference between the Seraphone and a normal melodica is that you can blow as well as inhale... »
Jazz melodica video Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival, 1979. Players: Hermeto Pascoal (melodica / keyboards), Jovino Santos Neto (keyboards), Itiberê Zwarg (bass), Nenê (drums) »
Indian melodica video A Music session organised on the eve of 1st day of 3rd International Yoga Seminar, on 12 October, 2012 in Ujjain, India. Dr Vivek Bansod plays Indian Classical Music on his ‘Pipe Harmonium’ »
A comparison and discussion of the Hohner Performer 37 Melodica, the Yamaha P37D Pianica and the Suzuki Pro37V2 melodicas. »
So many melodicas, so little time! How do you go about buying a melodica? And which is the best melodica for you? There’s three things you need to consider – how many notes you need, the type of sound you like, and how it looks! Here’s the lowdown on the 8 highest rated melodicas on this site. These are all quality instruments, suitable for playing in a band, or for recording. If... »
21 October 2014 The parts have arrived… I eventually decided to send my 3D files over to a printing company based in the west midlands of England, 3D Alchemy. I learnt from the previous test pieces that printing in plastic (ABS) would not provide the surface quality I needed, so I opted to pay twice the price and have it printed in resin on an Eden 500V printer, using Polyjet technology (res... »
James Howard Young – Classical melodica video Bach: Brandenburg Concerto 3 – 1 with 10 melodica tracks and live video for 9 parts With 10 solo parts divided into three trio groups and continuo, this semi-lengthy movement required the use of at least 9 individual video tracks in order to make it work. Because of the natural size restrictions that embedded video presents, I... »
Jacob Venndt’s Melodion Show »
4 July 2014 Reverse engineering When it comes to computer assisted 3D design, I have a lot to learn, so I invited 3D design whizz, Simon Evans to the studio for the day, to show me how it all works. The idea is to study the instrument closely, measuring every last detail, with a view to recreating it digitally – a process called reverse engineering. We started by completely dismantling the Yamaha ... »
In this melodica tutorial for absolute beginners, learn the names of the notes, and how to play a simple scale and chord. Checkout the MelodicaWorld YOUTUBE TUTORIAL here No.1 Which melodica do I need? There’s tons out there to choose from. Try a small Yamaha Pianica, or if you want more ideas, take a look at Melodica World’s Buying a melodica No.2 First things first Before picking... »
28 October 2014 Attaching two 3D printed parts I decided to try attaching the chamber cover to the main body. I had already ordered some small brass inserts to fit into the holes on the main body. These were to provide something for the screws to screw into – like an anchored nut. I couldn’t quite get them in all the way, but this shouldn’t be a problem, as they’ll protrude... »
Bach Cello Suite No.3 Prelude MASA MATSUDA Melodica »
It’s ready! What started out last summer as an idea for a project, has finally come to life. Thanks for all the encouragement over the months, it’s all been really helpful in keeping me motivated. I’m really happy with this little instrument – it’s just what I hoped it would be. Here’s some photos I took today And a little demonstration video! »
15 July 2014 Nearly ready for printing! I’ve now nearly finished the 3D drawing of the melodica. I’m leaving it without a case, for a more exposed look. Instead I’ve incorporated a finger rest and thumb rest to grip the instrument. I’ve made the white keys slightly smaller so there’ll be room to add the ivory tops, and the black keys are just a flat base to which I ca... »
Just two things to complete on the melodica before I can say it’s finished. There’s the mouthpiece, and at the other end of the instrument, the moisture-release valve. What mouthpiece? There’s many styles of mouthpieces for the melodica, so what shape did I choose? I’ve never been a fan of long mouthpieces, as I like to be as close to the reeds as I can. I decided to go for... »
The new keys have arrived, but before putting all the parts together, I decided to try painting the main body. The main body (‘skeleton’) is made from Polyjet material which has had extra UV treatment to make it even harder. Although Stratasys, the company who make Polyjet machines, say that no ‘finishing’ or sanding is required before painting, my model had many rough edge... »
The melodica’s been around for decades, and ever since its inception in the late 50s, there’s been a steady demand for it’s quirky sound. Here’s a chronological look at the melodica in popular music from 1964 to today. Sounds like some of these players might have benefitted from the Melodica World’s article on tuning a melodica! 1964 John Lennon – Strawberry Fi... »
18 July 2014 My own 3D printer? I’ve been doing some research into 3D printers. I’ve decided to buy one instead of using the services of a professional 3D printer, as the costs for one print out is similar to the cost of a lower end printer. It seems there’s two types of 3D printing available to me. Stereolithography One is a technology that’s been around since the eighties... »
13 Melodicas recorded side by side for comparison 1 Clavietta 2 Suzuki M37 3 Victoria Vibrandoneon Mk II 4 Hohner 32 Jubilee 5 Hohner Student 32 6 Angel Melodyhorn 37 7 Hammond Melodion 44 HP (Hyper) 8 Vintage Hohner Alto 9 Yamaha P37D 10 Vintage Hohner Student 11 Vintage Hohner Soprano 12 Claviola 13 Victoria Vibrandoneon Mk I Microphone: Neumann U87 Track: The Bonny Ship the Diamond »
3 July 2014 Why the melodica? I started practising the melodica seriously a few years ago, when I needed an instrument to play Irish music with, which I could easily take to play at the informal pub sessions. I already played the piano, so the piano accordion was the obvious first choice. But I gave it a go, and there’s something about the bulky size and weight, and that huge sound, which pu... »
How to tune a melodica This is a basic tutorial on tuning a melodica. Melodicas are from the free reed family of instruments, which include the harmonica (mouth organ), accordion and concertina. Just like their other family members, melodicas need regular tuning if they are being played a lot. Tuning a melodica is not complicated, but it can be fiddly, and takes some practice. It is also time cons... »
Folk melodica video A composition from Daren Banarsë’s Songs of the Sea project. A unique combination of classical and folk styles, inspired by traditional sea shanties. »
Jazz melodica video http://youtu.be/8j_ubNpJm9E?t=2m58s “I Wish” by Stevie Wonder »
Melodion Ena Yoshida 二本吹き »
Melodica Czardas ~ ピアニカ・チャルダッシュ | Suguru Ito »
A new material? After my last attempt warped under the pressure of the springs, I ordered all the parts again, with a few design modifications, in a new material. This time the material of choice was nylon, otherwise known as “Strong and Flexible” at Shapeways. Although very strong, and capable of good accuracy, this was a material I’d rejected previously because if its porosity. But maybe I... »