Melodicas

[D_C_CROSS%MAILEX.dnet@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

A while back, someone asked about melodicas. I may have missed some replies, 
but here's my tuppence worth.
Hohner make them, among others (Japanese, I think). They have harmonica-type 
reeds, playing a chromatic scale, and either a miniature piano-style keyboard 
with black and white keys or a set of buttons laid out roughly like a piano (ie  one row for the notes of the C scale and another row for the sharps and flats).
You blow through a mouthpiece on the end or a flexible hose that lets you put 
the melodica flat and use all ten fingers. Oh yes, it's blow only.

It's used seriously in reggae, particularly 70s and 80s dub. I'd recommend 
Augustus Pablo (he doesn't play it on all tracks, as he's also a keyboardist).

David Cross