[Harp-L] Jon Batiste melodica interview

[philharpn@xxxxxxx]

In case you can't stay up late enough to watch Stephen Colbert; here is his bandleader Jon Batiste playing the melodica.

<http://www.melodicaworld.com/video/jonathan-batiste-interview/>

The melodica (Hohner's trademark name) has 36 piano keys and sounds like a chromatic harmonica when individual notes are played. It also has infinite variety of chords -- and is about 100 times easier to play than a harmonetta (I know, I have a harmonetta and a melodica). (And while not as dramatic as a two-foot chord, it is far less dangerous for the player and sidemen.) 

Jon usually plays his melodica on TV held in left hand and played with right. But with an extension mouthpiece tube, it can be played tabletop like conventional keyboard. With the optional trumpet mouthpiece, it can be played like a horn section with percussive hits.

I've always thought a melodica was a great way to work out a tune by ear. Play and record it on the melodica and then match the notes on a chromatic or diatonic.

Some people think the melodica as a wimpy instrument; but Paul Oscher (Muddy Waters harpmen) has been playing the melodica for years. In fact, he has been playing it so long that he was able to pick up the microphone specifically designed for the melodica.

And badly performing chromatic players have been compared to melodica players. (Diatonic players who can't make the transition to chromatic is a different issue.) The melodica is a keyboard; unlike modern electronic keyboards, the acoustic melodica can't do that. It can slur (just like piano/organ) from Bb to B).