Re: [Harp-L] Melodica add 1

[Philharpn@xxxxxxx]

AS I WAS SAYING ... before my mail jumped off the screen... 

The Melodica not only offers all the visual clues and advantages of any 
keyboard in working out music and chord structure, it even sounds like a harmonica 
if you play one key at a time.

Granted, it's equal temperament tuning is closer to the timbre of the 
chromatic, but it can work with the diatonic as well to play along with recordings, 
figure out a tune.

You can record a tune on the Melodica and learn it by ear on another 
harmonica.

Or you can read the melody line off a fake book version on the Melodica, 
record it, and match the tones on a harp without trying to figure out the 
"fingering."

It is sometimes easier to figure out a tune on a keyboard than on a harp. 

Simply play the tune from memory on the Melodica, recording it, and learn it 
from your own recording.

Since the timbre of the Melodica is closer to a harp, it is easier to match 
tones. Also, you can hold a note longer that may turn out to be a bent note (or 
overblow).

While it has a handle on the back (for the left hand) to play the keys with 
the right. If you get a saxophone neck strap attached to this handle, you can 
play "two hands" by playing the left hand over the back (upside down) -- pinkie 
toward middle C instead of thumb.

With some clear quarter-inch tubing, you can set it on a flat surface and 
play it like a conventional keyboard. I'm going to get my 1970 Melo out and dust 
it off... Later.

Hope this helps
Phil





In a message dated 1/30/09 5:15:08 PM, Philharpn@xxxxxxx writes:


> I couldn't have written a better blurb about the Melodica myself. I think 
> it
> came out in the 60s and I bought mine in 1971, judging by the copyright
> dates on the four books that I purchased at the same time. "Giant Song HIts 
> for
> Harmonicas and Melodicas" Vols. 1 & 2
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> In a message dated 1/30/09 3:47:17 PM, markwilson53@xxxxxxx writes:
> 
> 
> > I haven't seen much posted here on Melodica, but it seems like this 
> > would be the perfect instrument for the average harp player
> > to use to bone up on theory.   The piano keys spell everything out in 
> > it's most simple form, and in a lot of ways, the instrument
> > plays like a harmonica.   I was very surprised at how good this thing 
> > actually sounds.   With proper breath control, it can sound a lot like a
> > like a horn, or woodwind instrument, especially in the low and middle 
> > octaves.
> >
> > I've only had mine a week, and I'm already playing halfway decent 
> > blues in C, F, and Bb, with plans to learn
> > how to improvise in all keys.   I'm  beginning to see signs of cross 
> > pollination between the two instruments, which is a very good
> > thing.   Is anyone else here playing melodica regularly?  I'm 
> > wondering how it would hold up in a band setting.  Also, if anyone has a
> > link to the Paul Osher clip, I'd appreciate it.  I couldn't find it 
> > on his site....
> >
> > Mark
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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> 
> 
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