melodica

[h-drix]

not really a uke...well the complete opposite of a uke, but i was wondering if anyone plays these and could suggest a good cheap melodica under $100.

for those of you who dont know this is a melodica
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4Lp2nZrorY

i think ti would be pretty cool to incorporate it with the uke.

 

[Kanaka916]

check out this vid by one of our members, puremarkska . . .

 

[LoMa]

Melodicas are totally cool intruments.

You can get a very decent 26 key Hohner for about $125 from serveral places. It's the Hohner HM-26 Soprano Piano Melodica model. You get over 2 octaves out of it. It starts on the B below middle C.
http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/HM26.htm
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Hohner-HM26-Soprano-Piano-Melodica-?sku=421092

If you want to play in a slightly lower key, pay a few more bucks and get this one: Hohner HM-27 Piano Melodica Alto. It starts on the F below middle C.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Hohner-HM27-Piano-Melodica-Alto?sku=420607

You can also check out this site:
http://www.melodicas.com/melodicas.htm

I've never played their melodicas, so I can't comment on their quality, but they're having a great sale on a37 key melodica because it has a mis-matching case. They also have sound samples of some of the melodicas they sell along with an evaluation of the different models' key action and tone.
http://www.melodicas.com/melodica_comparison_chart.htm

The middle-grade Hohner's are good instruments. Stay away from the super cheapie Honhers though, because they're usually out of tune which will drive you crazy and require a lot of work to get them in tune!!! They also require a lot more breath power to play!!! The mid-grade ones, like the models mentioned above, have all been well tuned in my experience, and require only moderate breath power to play.

If you really get into melodicas, you'll need a kit to retune or replace the reeds - the best one is the Hering kit for $27.50
http://www.wwbw.com/Hering-MK-101-Hering-Maintenance-Kit-i538869.music

Lee Oskar has a good kit, but not as good as the Hering!
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...anual?sku=423678&CJAID=10381297&CJPID=2270395

 

[UKISOCIETY]

Gus at GUGUG and Julia Nunes have famously incorporated the Melodica (or "Hooter") in their videos. check out Gus's "Guns of Navarone". Cool.

The melodica works very well with the uke, as does the kazoo, harmonica, recorder and bass saxophone.

You think I'm kidding?

 

[LoMa]

Dat is a total trip, mon!

The melodica works very well with the uke, as does the kazoo, harmonica, recorder and bass saxophone.

You think I'm kidding?

 

[Howlin Hobbit]

The melodica works very well with the uke, as does the kazoo, harmonica, recorder and bass saxophone.

Also tuba/sousaphone. And probably helicon too, but I've only seen and heard them live once, in a marching band in the torchlight parade a couple years back.

As far as budget melodicas go, I've heard good things about the Bushman melodica -- in fact, I sorta lust after one myself -- and they're in the sub-$100 range. I'd be leery of going direct through Bushman though, their customer service is a bit spotty. I'd try to find someone else that handles them and then email them first to make sure they're actually in stock.

Hmmm... a quick search doesn't bode well. Looks like they may not be available anymore.

I own a Hohner alto melodica (the red one that GUGUG uses) and love the tone, it's much like the little accordians you hear in French café music, but I'm not real fond of the "chiclet" keys... actually, buttons. I'll get a keyboard style one of these days.

 

[tad]

You can also check out this site:
http://www.melodicas.com/melodicas.htm

I've never played their melodicas, so I can't comment on their quality, but they're having a great sale on a37 key melodica because it has a mis-matching case. They also have sound samples of some of the melodicas they sell along with an evaluation of the different models' key action and tone.

That's a great deal. Now I'm tempted...

And Melodicas sure do sound good with ukulele...

 

[UKISOCIETY]

...
I own a Hohner alto melodica (the red one that GUGUG uses) and love the tone, it's much like the little accordians you hear in French café music, but I'm not real fond of the "chiclet" keys... actually, buttons. I'll get a keyboard style one of these days.

Gee, Hobbit, is it like those small ukes that big guys have to stay away from because their fingers are too big?

 

[h-drix]

LoMa: are there any good button key melodicas? are the button melodicas the only two handed ones?

 

[lovemissheather]

not really a uke...well the complete opposite of a uke, but i was wondering if anyone plays these and could suggest a good cheap melodica under $100.

for those of you who dont know this is a melodica
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4Lp2nZrorY

i think ti would be pretty cool to incorporate it with the uke.

check out e-bay. you can get some really nice ones for about 70. some are even cheaper. just depnds what kind you want and how far you want to go with it.

 

[Neil Cursed Diamond]

GUGUG inspired me.

I just ordered a cheap used one off eBay, hope I don't get MAS.

 

[Howlin Hobbit]

Gee, Hobbit, is it like those small ukes that big guys have to stay away from because their fingers are too big?

No, it's more like having to use two hands where one would do.

Picture a piano style keyboard where you have to use your right hand for the white keys and your left for the black keys.

(Yes. I got the joke. But it is different.)

 

[LoMa]

I've never played a chiclet button melodica - don't really know if they're different animals or not...

You can play a regualr piano key melodica either one-handed ot two-handed. If playing two-handed, you need a flex tube, and the keyboard is in your lap or table. You can then play the keybaord with two hands and get some pretty complex sounds out of the instrument. It looks like the bargain Meldica from http://www.melodicas.com/melodicas.htm comes with a flex tube, which is very cool!

LoMa: are there any good button key melodicas? are the button melodicas the only two handed ones?

 

[UKISOCIETY]

No, it's more like having to use two hands where one would do.

Picture a piano style keyboard where you have to use your right hand for the white keys and your left for the black keys.

(Yes. I got the joke. But it is different.)

I like the sound of the chicklet hohners better than the keyboards with the tube. At least from what I've heard on YT videos.

 

[MiddleButtCheek]

I just got one of the red hohner ones. its pretty fun but i already wish i had gotten one with keys instead of buttons. does anyone know any good songs that use melodicas? i've seen the gugug and julia nune's videos but any other would be appreciated!

 

[Howlin Hobbit]

This Friday (thanks to my friend Thad) this melodica will be arriving.

After WA state sales tax and shipping it came to $43.53.

Yeah. :rock:

 

[Ukulele JJ]

I've had a Hohner piano melodica for years.

It's a lot of fun, but it does tend to fill up with spit. :uhoh:

JJ

 

[Scorpex]

I just made a foray into melodica territory as well. First I bought a cheap 37 key Chinese unit - very disappointing, key actuation all over the place etc. Sent it back and switched to a Hohner 32 key - far, far better. Allows much more expression and needs less wind.

I have tried playing uke and melodica at the same time - playing the melodica with a toe. Not successful as yet - more practice needed.....

 

[Howlin Hobbit]

This Friday (thanks to my friend Thad) this melodica will be arriving.

It actually arrived Thursday (those folks got da bomb shipping department).

Since it's a student model, the keys are a bit smaller than piano keys (made for kid hands, I'm sure) but with a little practice my pudgy fingers are handling it OK and the tone and volume is superb.

As of this writing the sale is still on. If you've been wanting one, grab one of these before they come to their senses.

I've had a Hohner piano melodica for years.

It's a lot of fun, but it does tend to fill up with spit.

It's condensation, dude. Try to keep that in mind when you're making it drool all over the floor.

 

[SuperSecretBETA]

It's condensation, dude.

... not if you let me play it! :rofl: jk

P.S. Have you guys seen that kazookeylele video on youtube? :music: more jk