David Colpitts
@david-c
active 1 month, 2 weeks ago-
David Colpitts posted a new activity comment 1 month, 3 weeks ago
Thank you for the feedback. I am holed up from COVID, and am playing, rather than making, but am quite excited by the concept. The Yamaha 32 is here, and waiting for me. I’ll post any progress.
Regards,
David
-
David Colpitts posted an update 2 months ago
Janko Melodica Short Video Clip.
I have a link to a short clip made by the great Adlai Waksman last September at the North East Squeeze-In, which is a wonderful weekend of free-reed heaven. Anyway, he has generously given me permission to share. Here’s a look: https://youtu.be/IkX5lb-YXiM
This is the crude prototype, but after literally 30 s…[Read more] -
David Colpitts posted an update 3 months, 3 weeks ago
To Pal, and others, the Janko melodica, as I have confirmed to myself in my second version, is exactly as you say; mechanical, using air, and complex. However, it is literally no more complex in its Janko incarnation than in the piano version. Rather, carefully placed “augmented” keys work the magic, and offer a straightforward “add-on” for ext…[Read more]
-
David Colpitts replied to the topic Does anyone play the melodica for reasons other than the sound? in the forum General melodica discussion 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Hello. This reply, although belated, is aimed at Pal and Kevin, and all interested in Janko keyboard melodicas. Yes, I have converted two, and am nearly ready to do #3. I have some trouble with this site software (I am sure due to my own novice level) and can’t really get pictures. Right now, the second iteration looks almost like a viable d…[Read more]
-
David Colpitts posted an update 8 months ago
And, I should have mentioned that version one came from a YouTube video; was it yours? Version 2 works because I used double height buttons, so clearance is better and playability, too. Other conversion units seem to require much more engineering and stepped rows, which I hope to avoid with my version.
-
David Colpitts posted an update 8 months ago
Hello, Kevin, et.al.
The construction for my two (so far) “Jankolpitts” conversions is like this: In the first case (the Yamaha Pianica 25) I did real surgery. I took each key off (lost a spring or two while at it) and cut each key down. The blacks I cut down to make the tops flush with the white keys, and then the white keys I cut wid…[Read more]
-
David Colpitts replied to the topic Does anyone play the melodica for reasons other than the sound? in the forum General melodica discussion 8 months ago
I am new to the instrument, and am interested mainly because it offers the free-reed sound with the full chromaticity of the piano keyboard. All my other instruments are diatonic, and this will open other keys to me. However, I am obsessed with the Janko conversions I have done; I will try to find a way to send sound links for all to hear, once…[Read more]
-
David Colpitts's profile was updated 9 months, 1 week ago
-
David Colpitts replied to the topic best project melodica? in the forum Buying a melodica 10 months ago
I have a lo-re pic to post….
Thanks for the feedback, and I’d love to hear from anyone who is doing or contemplating something similar.
BTW, where do I do picture post….I don’t see it.
-
David Colpitts replied to the topic best project melodica? in the forum Buying a melodica 10 months ago
Hi, folks. I am a newbie here and at the melodica (40 year old Hohner student models aside.) I actually bought one (the little Yamaha 25) for experimental modification to a Janko keyboard, and used the two available YouTube “builds” for inspiration. Actually, I settled on the “Instructable” (with the pennies as keys) and whacked away at it. Af…[Read more]
Very well done! I see what you mean about the complexity of the keyboard not being that much greater than the standard one.
I’m really happy you took this project on and am interested in how it develops.
Thank you for the feedback. I am holed up from COVID, and am playing, rather than making, but am quite excited by the concept. The Yamaha 32 is here, and waiting for me. I’ll post any progress.
Regards,
David