User Manual

instrument. For heavier passages use the palate
attack, using air as in whistling either more or less, as
required. The tongue can be used for short and
precise note values (staccato). In this way suitable
articulation for all kinds of playing will develop.
Quickly vary your breath to create tremolo (change
in volume). This is the melodicas version of vibrato
(change in pitch).
Caution: A fast intense burst of air can knock your
reed out of alignment. Think of it as blowing into a
balloon. The harder/faster you blow the louder your
keyboard will sound.
The more notes you play at the same time the softer
the instrument may sound as you are displacing air
thru more reeds. Experiment.
Bending notes
While holding down a key and blowing steadily,
slowly lift your nger allowing the key to rise (so it is
at the point where the air ow is incomplete or
choking the reed). At this time you will hear the pitch
drop. A technique can be developed where by
playing pressing the keys half way down while
blowing, this Bending of notes will occur.
Next, address the instruments keyboard. There are
few books out on how to play the melodica. Some
people will naturally just begin to listen, play & nd
melodies, and via trial and error begin to put
together a style. If you are just starting out and have
never played a keyboard before we recommend
acquiring a basic piano book of scales and the