[tele1214]

I was at the wonderful Gomez concert on Saturday, and Tom Gray pulled out this bizarre instrument that was like a small keyboard with a long latex-looking tube emerging from it. It made the sound partially of a harmonica or something, but it was the first I've ever seen anything like it. Anyone know what I'm talking about?

[igorski]

I was at the wonderful Gomez concert on Saturday, and Tom Gray pulled out this bizarre instrument that was like a small keyboard with a long latex-looking tube emerging from it. It made the sound partially of a harmonica or something, but it was the first I've ever seen anything like it. Anyone know what I'm talking about?

A melodica ? I remember having one as a kid. Spit went everywhere

[elliemollett]

That looks pretty cool how does it work?

[igorski]

That looks pretty cool how does it work?

You blow air into the tube (or you can remove the tube and blow directly into the mouthpiece it connects to) and play the keys like you would a keyboard/piano. It sounds... well funny.

[elliemollett]

Has it reeds or does it work more like a wind instrument with holes being covered?

[igorski]

Pressing a key on the 'keyboard' opens a hole, allowing air to flow through, indeed, a reed.

[Graeme! Yes, Graeme!]

There are some other bands out there using them. Really nice sound on them. Oasis used one on Champagne Supernova, and I know the Magic Numbers use one on a few tracks too.

[dogpoo]

I've got one in Malaysia, only I knew it as a melodion. It's tiring to play. Its also got two little metal button things, one seems to let air out as well, and I can't remember what the other one was.

[Zaphod-B]

I used to have a melodica back when I played the keyboard, nice little instrument for noodling and carrying around with you. I've never seen one with a tube though, mine simply had a mouthpiece at one end.