[Ricky]

Gianluca wrote: “people tend to classify excellent players under the “virtuoso” category, like it’s just a matter of talent and not so much of hard work/quality of the instrument in itself.”

Man, this is so true. Folks mean it as a compliment when they call us talented. Unfortunately, by doing so, they disregard the work we put into learning to play an instrument. I think the concept of talent is too broad. I know there is physical talent, sure. But so much of what folks describe as talent is just the product of hard work.

Ellen Langer, a professor at Harvard, has studied “talent” and her conclusions are similar. Also Malcom Gladwell’s book “Outliers” points out the work that goes into becoming what folks describe as “Talented.”

As a pianist I’ve often told people that my true talent is the ability to sit on the bench for sustained periods of time. They usually look at me like I’m nuts. But maybe that in itself is a talent!

Great thread. Thanks folks. RM

[Ricky]

Gianluca, Thanks so much for posting your pics. I found them to be very interesting. I’d like to do something similar. I tried piezo pickups (3 of them) on the inside of my P37. They worked, but there was way too much key noise. I bought a Hammond 44 and so I ended my experiment with the pickups. I WISH that Yamaha would offer an electrify kit for their P series melodicas. If it mimicked the Hammond system, it would just need to be a replacement end cap with a mic in it and a volume control. They’d sell a bazillion, I’ll bet! An incorporated pre-amp would make it even better.

[Ricky]

That was AWESOME! Thanks for sharing this, making this, and using this tune. What a blast.

[Ricky]

Helen,

Are you puffing your cheeks when you play? If so, you don’t need to do it. Puffing cheeks is not necessarily wrong (think of Dizzy Gillespie) but it can be uncomfortable. Try to play without puffing your cheeks by pursing your lips, which will draw your cheeks in, and then just blow without letting them puff out. Hope this helps.

[Ricky]

Hi everyone. I’m new to this site/forum. I’ve learned so much from it and I thank you all.
I especially want to thank those of you who have posted videos and recordings of your melodica playing.

I’m new to the melodica and had no idea that it can fit into so many types of music and so many varied ensembles.

This video is a great example. So, thanks. Keep it coming!<G>

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