Newbie queries – Hohner Soprano

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  • #15870
    Peter Brooks
    Participant

    Hello all, I’ve been fascinated by the melodica since I was a child, and have just picked up one (a green Hohner Soprano, with vinyl case) in a local auction.

    Hohner Soprano

    Inevitably I have some questions –

    1) I’ve read the section on cleaning in ‘The Ultimate Guide’. It isn’t particularly dirty but may have been used by a smoker, there’s just a mild whiff to it. Should I clean it or not? And does my one count as a ‘vintage’ (the second set of instructions)?

    2) I see that ‘tubes’ are available for more recent models to enable it to be played on a table or lap or whatever… I haven’t seen any for the Soprano, are they available, or is it easy enough to make your own (and what material is best)? I know that the mouthpiece comes off.

    3) On the same line, from my brief ‘go’ I think I am quite likely to hyperventilate (I’m 67 🙂 … has anyone successfully made foot operated bellows? Many apologies if this is serious heresy to you melodica lovers.

    Thanks for any advice!

    Cheers,
    Peter

    #15880
    Daren
    Keymaster

    Hi Peter, congrats on your find!

    In answer to your questions, you don’t need to clean it, but if you’re worried about who might’ve been using it before, or if bacteria has collected in it, use the instructions for a vintage melodica.

    I’ve made temporary tubes – for something that works, but doesn’t look especially beautiful. get hold of some cheap food grade silicone tubing from ebay or amazon and use electrical tape to fix it onto the end of your mouthpiece, making sure there’s no where for air to escape.

    I’ve never made bellows for a melodica – I’d use an accordion instead!

    #15915
    Peter Brooks
    Participant

    Hi Daren, many thanks for the reply, and the good advice!

    Your YouTube video playing Irish music on the melodica is absolutely awesome BTW… incredible.

    Cheers,
    Peter

    #15917
    Daren
    Keymaster

    Thanks Peter!

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