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  • #14050
    Pál Krammer
    Participant

    My only experience is with the Yamaha P-32D and P-37D and although the keys respond quickly, for me the keys are slightly narrower than what I’m used to on a keyboard. This makes playing fast passages a bit of a challenge for me. I suppose I’ll eventually get used to this, but I also play a 61-key Yamaha keyboard with normal sized keys.

    I suspect most melodicas have narrow keys.

    #14048
    Pál Krammer
    Participant

    Likewise, a chart on Yamaha’s site describes the sound as being “bright” for all models P-25F, P-32D, P-37D, and P-37ERD, but “dark/mellow” for P-37EBK and P-37EBR.

    I’m tempted to try an EBK but the Hammond 44H also calls…

    #14046
    Pál Krammer
    Participant

    The range of the Hammond 44H/44HP is from C3 to G6.

    For comparison, the range of the Yamaha P-37D is F3 to F6.

    So, the Hammond offers five lower halftones and two higher halftones.

    #14043
    Pál Krammer
    Participant

    An update on my P-37D tuning: well, as both Alan and André predicted, even doing nothing the tuning will change over time and also as the instrument is played. I’ve observed that even when my melodica is dry the tuning will be different from last week.

    So, rather than chase small variations in pitch over time and playing conditions, I think the safest course of action is to identify which keys are consistently out of tune by about 15 or more cents and focus on correcting those. Fortunately, there aren’t many.

    #14039
    Pál Krammer
    Participant

    That is an amazing video, Barbara; compared to those egg designs, tuning a melodica is easy!

    I like this technique of applying wax – it seems much safer than scratching and removing metal.

    There are numerous Russian and Ukrainian stores near me, so finding that tool and the wax won’t be difficult.

    My great thanks to everyone who has replied in this thread.

    #14028
    Pál Krammer
    Participant

    Thank you, André – that is very good advice.

    #14003
    Pál Krammer
    Participant

    Philip,

    Until you mentioned it, I hadn’t noticed the Hohner offerings. It seems their range is B3 to B5, so that would make a nice compact melodica with a range I would like.

    #13997
    Pál Krammer
    Participant

    Although I have created an account (name and email only), I have not been able to view anything. Is it necessary to pay?

    #13883
    Pál Krammer
    Participant

    Thank you Daren and Alan for your thoughts. Based on what you say, I think the safest and wisest choice for me is just to adjust the dozen or so low reeds to 442Hz. I’ve never scraped a reed before, so I certainly don’t want to make it too flat.

    These melodicas are so addicting, especially the vintage ones I’ve seen on this site.

    Thanks again!

    #13492
    Pál Krammer
    Participant

    Yes, on a 25-key soprano, the D4-D6 range would work very well.

    #13317
    Pál Krammer
    Participant

    My question really is: would you prefer a 25-key melodica with a range shifted a bit upwards? To me, A3-A5 would be ideal.

    Yamaha isn’t likely to change the P-25F, but they or someone else could introduce a new model.

    One issue is that the keyboard layout would look very odd regarding the black and white key pattern; their current P-25, P-32, P-37 keyboard layouts look like what you’d expect on a keyboard. A shifted keyboard, especially, A3-A5, would probably need the top cover painted to show nonfunctional “phantom keys” just to avoid having unexpected visual distraction.

    #11848
    Pál Krammer
    Participant

    Are there any videos or sound samples which compare the 44 and 44HP side by side – that is, same player, same song?

    From what I’ve been able to discern, the 44HP seems brighter and louder; the 44 more mellow – but when listening to different players and songs, it’s difficult to really know.

    #11336
    Pál Krammer
    Participant

    A few questions:

    – What is the cost?

    – Can there be a light/dark pattern made which is typical of Janko keyboards?

    – Will keyboards be available for other 37-key melodicas, such as Yamaha or Suzuki?

    #11278
    Pál Krammer
    Participant

    Jon Batiste

    #11275
    Pál Krammer
    Participant

    The Brazilian pianist Vinheteiro is astonishingly talented. He often does amusing videos as well. Here is one, featuring a melodica, which he has played before.

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