How I taught myself melodica
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- Опубліковано 14 лип 2024
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I wanted to share how I learned to play Irish melodica, travelling to the Indian Himalayas, and combining melodica practice with meditation. I didn't take a Yamaha Pianica, Hohner Melodica or Suzuki Melodion with me, can you recognise the one from the photo? Instead of taking melodica lessons, I listened to my favourite concertina player, and copied everything he did!
The three traditional Irish tunes I play at the end are:
1) The Ivory Flute (James McMahon thesession.org/tunes/3342)
2) The Furze in Bloom (Gerry Harrington thesession.org/tunes/9629)
3) Timmy Clifford’s (thesession.org/tunes/656)
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Equipment used to film this video:
Camera: geni.us/Dcmav
Camera lens: geni.us/Kdg4
Microphone: geni.us/ZRaHCdo
Light: geni.us/Piq2rxJ
Softbox: geni.us/AdIpFP
I took a Clavietta with me, because they're so well built, and don't need regular tuning. These days I play the Yamaha Pianicas, and also like the Suzuki Melodions. The Hammond 44 is also a great instrument. Hohner are a company that made some of the first melodicas, and actually coined the term 'melodica'. There's some great vintage models, including the cute Hohner Melodica Soprano, and the larger Hohner Professional 36
The Irish tune is so beautiful, I have a goal now!
Great to hear it! I love Irish music too :-)
Me too!
The melodica indeed is a perfect match (instrument) for playing Irish music. 😊 thanks for sharing this video.
I agree! :-) Thanks for watching!
Just as a picked up the recorder because people viewed it as a 'kids toy' and 'not a real instrument' I am definitely doing melodica next. As for the people here, I recommend you look up some of the professional songs using melodicas, they blow my mind.
I've been studying piano like crazy for a few month but then I realized there's a month long vacation ahead with no chance to play piano during it. I bougt a cheap 37 key melodica and now, after two weeks I'm so happy I gave it a chance.
Great to hear this!
Inspiring Daren, your circular breathing is amazing.
Wow, thanks Oscar!
I noticed that also
I thought he just took one big breath
Okay, so I have been playing the piano for some 12 years (mainly jazz) and I never thought what I would get into when I bought my melodica last week. Holy **** this instrument is sexy. Best purchase in a while.
That's an inspiring story. And then you went to a Himalayan mountain top for a year to meditate and learn melodica! It's just like Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. Dude!
Melodica also reminds me of the sound of an accordion and so when it comes to Celtic traditional music for me it doesn't bother me cause it's basically kinda like half of an accordion XD. I love this story thanks so much!!! Also it reminds me of a bunch instruments mixed together for sound wise so I absolutely love it!
Could you please do tutorials on the basics of different music genres? For example: Irish, Blues, jazz, etc.? Especially blues! I saw one guy on UA-cam who could play the blues on the melodica just like it was a harmonica. I'd love to be able to do stuff like that.
Great idea, I'm going to look into this
@@MelodicaWorld How much can you bend notes through embouchure?
@@Ubu987 I don’t think embouchure will make any difference - you can bend a note by lifting a key slightly while playing. It’s much easier on the lower notes
Wonderful! I came to India 22 years ago and never left. Hope to see you there sometime.
Wow, where do you stay? I've been to India many times, but the melodica trip was the last one, I'll let you know when I'm back!
@@MelodicaWorldNice! Just outside Pondicherry South India. Lots of musicians down this way.
New Sub ! I'm glad I found this channel ! I'm actually a classical guitarist (intermediate lvl) but hope to compose my own folk inspired tunes in the future. As such I wanted to learn piano but I can't afford lessons and a Keyboard. Then I thought of the wonderful melodica I heard in my young school days and decided to see if I can potentially pick it up myself. Well you've convinced me ! Looking to buy one when I can. Hopefully I can play duets with both the Guitar and the Melodica one day. Blend of tradition and the modern :D
Sounds great! I think melodica and guitar go with each other well, and you can take them both anywhere
Very nice story!
Getting the raised eyebrow for bringing a non-traditional instrument to a traditional jam!!😅😂...Monty Python used to refer to people like that as "stuck up sticky beaks".
I miss more songs like this on your channel :]
Oh thanks, I will do more. I'm just making a new melodica at the moment, and I'll play a new tune on it :-)
@@MelodicaWorld That's great to hear. I seriously think that your channel deserves much more attention than it has. You must put so much effort into making those videos.
PS: You've inspired me to try the melodica. I plan to play Irish music with my friends and I was searching for a unique instrument for a long time. Now I have it! Yamaha P-37D already heading my way. Thank you for your work :]
@@vitdostal4116 Really glad you're inspired to pursue the melodica, I think it works well with Irish and other folk music. Thanks for watching the videos! :-)
My attraction to the Melodica sound is from the sublime rhythms of Augustus Pablo in the world of Roots Reggae Music.
The Irish music with Melodica does sound strange, but you play it beautifully.
Hi, Darren. Greetings from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I play a few instruments, and I find the melodica amazing: portable, expressive and versatile. I became aware of the instrument hearing Hermeto Pascoal, the Brazilian multi-instrumentalist, and fell in love with it. You do a great job discussing the melodica as a serious instrument. Cheers.
Thanks Fred, I've also seen Hermeto Pascoal playing melodica, he's a genius!
Totally awesome!! Made the hair stand up on my arms...
Amazing, thanks!
Darren, I’m a big fan of Story and you have a great one! Again, you have created an inspiring video. I have been struggling with my melodica playing, but you always encourage me. Thanks!
Hi Angela! Really pleased its helping, thanks for watching!
That was beautiful man! I love how you inspire us all! Thank you!
so mesmerizing!
Lovely playing.
For me it has touches of a number of different instruments in it’s sound, it’s hard to describe. It really is a beautiful sounding instrument.
Thank you for posting.
Thanks for watching :-)
I cant believe how good this sounds,,I have played fiddle in sessions also I play concertina and melodeon among instruments..if I closed my eyes and I was asked whats that's sound I would say the cleanest concertina playing I have ever heard...amazing..oh..are those triplets and rolls achieved by mouth? if so the sky is the limit ,,,well done I love it.......Jackdaw
Wow thank you Jack, yes the ornaments are from the mouth, called triple tonguing in wind instrument language :-) I love the concertina, and I’ve tried to emulate the sound the best I can. I’m making a new instrument which should go a step further…!
very inspiring, and fits right in to the Irish music.
Pure magic.
Gorgeous playing. Thank you!
Wow, thank so much :-)
Aw you inspired me a lot. I bought that melodica to practice sight-reading for my piano pieces, but recently I've found the beauty when combining the two instruments. Now I see that combination one more time in this video. Beautiful!
I agree, sounds great with the piano!
🥰 super!
Veramente bello
As a long-time listener of ITM, that's really impressive--and inspirational. I just ordered my first melodica (a Yamaha P37D), we'll see how it goes....
Amazing! Good luck :-)
So Amazing! The Melodica truly reminds me of natures beauty. You've inspired me to buy the Yamaha P32D and learn the Melodica at 30 yo
Great to hear this, good luck with it :-)
Super inspiring, Daren. Bravo!
Thank you so much John!
lovely
Beautiful
Thank you!
C'est incroyable! Merci énormement !!
Thanks!
Glad to see u update again with much more informative clips & beautiful music! & U even reply almost every post! Great effort !! Appreciate it!!!! Keep it up!!!
Thanks so much, that's very encouraging :-)
Beautiful and inspiring story, and playing! Inspires me in my own melodica playing.
Great to hear Julie!
A true ambassador.
Fantastic account of a worthwhile musical journey! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching :-)
Magnificent and inspiring! I am learning the proper breathing pace and technique in my melodica! Thank you for the video! Just subbed to your channel!❤️
That's amazing, great to hear your practicing :-)
What a joy to see one’s so passionate about its musical instrument!
P.S. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and tips on playing melodica 🙏🏻
C'est vrai Daren, c'est extrêmement inspirant. Merci et bravo !
Thanks Fabrice, really great to be able to share my story with you :-)
wth you went to the fricken HIMALAYAS to meditate and practice?! Damn that’s some dedication! I live in a pretty mountainous region in Asia and even I don’t have that dedication to practice at my home!
I thought it would be easier to go somewhere where there were less distractions. Might’ve been easier to stay at home :-)
Interesting story! You have a really good channel with a serious attitude to the melodica. Please keep on with your work!
Thanks for watching! Glad you like it :-)
Thank you for your lessons, this motivates me to learn Melodica, just got mine 2 days ago.
Really pleased to hear that!
my melodica journey has officially begun with the arrival today that I have bought! now hoping to be the next augustus pablo by next week with your book i just ordered. 😎
Yes you will!
That was really beautiful. Reminds me a lot of the music from Lord of the Dance!
Thank you very much!
Mate, Loved hearing your story, sounds like you’re loving your best life!.. would love to have a jam with you one day if we ever cross paths :)✌️
Wonderful video…being a pianist, I love the melodica, and I use it for free improv stuff - sometimes rooted in Norwegian folk music 🎹🎹🎹
Beautifull! And an inspiring journey. Your meditation experience reminds me of Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner. Playing from the space is how he words what you describe as stepping back and letting the music happen.
Thanks for watching :-) Yes, there’s definitely an allowing it to happen...
Totally enjoy your playing! You are a true musician! I make my living as an ukulele player playing Hawaiian, though I have been paid to play numerous other instruments in professional situations (flute, whistle, piano, guitar, etc.) Your videos inspired me to pull out my melodicas and give them another go. I've been enjoying them all over again! Thank you for posting your videos. Your musicianship is top-notch!
Wow, thank you!
I loved your comment about melodica and meditation. I shun my guitar nowadays consistently for the melodica. The only way I can explain it is the trance like state that I get into from the rhythmic breathing of playing scales and progressions over and over again. Thank you
Yes, there's something about the breath isn't there?
Yes !
Really encouraging!! Thank you Daren!! Just subscribed!! Added a Melodica to my basket on Amazon! Hopefully going to get it this week! I’m a keyboardist so it should be easy for me to play this. Planning to use this amazing instrument to all sort of genres including Sega (Sega is a music genre from the Mauritius island)! It sounds a bit like a harmonica & accordion, so this should be perfect for Sega!!🇲🇺🎹💨🎶
Sounds great, hope you have some fun with it :-)
It’s the breathing I’m trying to get a hang of.......need to practise !! Great video
Thanks sandycorgi! Yes, the breathing can take a while to leanr, but it's the bit about the melodica which makes it really expressive :-)
Thanks to story ..... From Philippines here 😋
Thanks for watching Marshall :-)
I've found the melodica to be a really capable instrument for jazz/bebop. My main is the guitar, my second the the button accordion, but when I want my improvisation to really sing like a lung-wind instrument can I reach for my suzuki 37 key. Can't wait to be able to purchase the hammond 44 so I can sound more like a tenor sax player down low
It would be interesting to hear what a more seasoned player like you could do with it in that context. If you ever feel up to it, maybe dwelve a bit into Charlie Parker's style and post results? Loving the channel, cheers
Thanks for the suggestion, I might well do this. I used to learn notated solos back in the day, but I'd play them on piano... I found this list of solos jazztimes.com/features/lists/40-essential-solos/
Hermosa melodia !!! Gracias
Thank you Alan! :-)
@@MelodicaWorld Your story is fascinating a while ago I bought a melodic yamaha and fell in love and from that time I follow you, I will put into practice feeling what I play.
Thanks for your videos and for existing!
Thank you for your videos an d your work!. Very helpful. It's very interested, what you are talking about practice. Can you make a lesson about practice for beginners, execises for the finger (chords, melody) and mental?
I recently made 10 lessons, take a look at my channel :-)
❤️
Darren, is it an original tune at the end of the video?
Congratulations! You inspire a lot of people with your work and talent!
Thanks so much!
It’s 3 traditional Irish jigs, played in succession. Thanks for watching :-)
@@MelodicaWorld Daren, can you please tell me the name of these three Irish jigs, so I could try to play them. And please make the second part of the lessons book! Book 1 is fantastic (I practiced a lot and learned so much) but I need to keep learning with your knowledge.
Thanks for your work! Have a great day!
@@melodicar2287 I don’t know the names of these, but you could try asking at the forum at thesession.org, they’ll know. Please tell me if you find out, and I’ll update the description!
@@MelodicaWorld Darren!
I'm so glad! (sorry for my english (I'm French!).
I made what you told me and just posted today a discussion in the Session. They helped me (please read the comments, they liked so much your way of playing) and found the names of the three jigs.
These are :
1. The ivory flute minute 5
2. Mist Covered Mountain minute 6'08
3. Tommy (or Timmy) Clifford's 6'43
The first and the third are surely the ones. The second, I'm not sure. It sounds like but not the same at all.
Now I can try to imitate you little by little... 😁
Your music really touched me.
Thanks so much!
Rectification !
The middle one is The furze in bloom. Sure an hundred percent! Great! I'm now excited to print the songs and play them.
Thanks a lot maestro! Keep making tutorials and book 2!!
Courage!
Great emotional atmosphere and video in general!! Many thanks for this!
I just got my first melodica and my hopes are to be able to play a wind instrument without going through the hassle of learning a myriad of fingerings. As a guitar player, I am frustrated with the lack of sustain and control I have over notes, and so I wanted to try either a concertina or a melodica, and here in Greece, a melodica is a far more realistic option.
The water is the main issue for me so far. Gets everywhere, makes notes sound out of tune and so on. Important roadblock for my enjoyment. Maybe im not cleaning my melodica properly?
Congrats on your new melodica! Yes, moisture on the reeds is the biggest problem, especially if you're doing a lot of practice...
I just love the Celtic feels to this. Is this tune available for streaming?
Thanks, really glad you like it! I don't have it anywhere for streaming, just here...
Subbed! Just bought a rasta airboard after watching this
Great to hear this :-)
Love your lessons. I have a Hohner Melodica piano 26. Can you purchase the soft extension mouthpiece to fit this instrument.
Thanks Joan, I don't know if you can buy them...
Wow.... Can I get the notes for the tune you are playing the end. I just got a beginner Melodica and Here I am.
You got a subscriber,
I don't have the notes, as I picked them up by ear. Maybe this will help? www.mintmusic.co.uk/2020/04/dance-monkey-tones-and-i.html
@@MelodicaWorld Thanks Darren !
Your style is always so exhilarating and your words of encouragement only inspire your audience. What model are you currently using here? In your opinion, which beast is more suited to Irish music.. clavietta or melodica?
Thank you so much Mark! I'm using a model I made, but has reeds and some parts from a Yamaha P37D, with an Ebony body. So you'll have a similar sound with one of the Pianicas. I like these reeds, as they give you a nice 'bounce' which helps with the lilt and rhythm. The Clavietta has a beautiful sound, but might be more suited to slow airs. Having said that, they're different instruments, the Clavietta, refined, thin, high pitched, like a piccolo accordion, and the standard melodica a bit rougher and louder, more of a concertina sound
Hey man I'm a huge fan of that old great sounding Irish music but I couldn't for the life of me find anything by michael o'riley, I would be super great ful if you had some sort of link to a sample of his stuff or a place I cand find his music! Great videos btw been loving them.
Try the Irish spelling of his name: Michael O'Raghallaigh, here's his wiki entry: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_O%27Raghallaigh. I really like his album called 'The Nervous Man'. Another concertina whose style I love is Caitlín Nic Gabhann
Beautiful story. If I understand it correctly, did you already have a piano training backgroubd befire taking up melodica?
Hey, thanks for watching. Yes, I already knew how to play piano
🎹❤️🕉️
what is the name of the song? Very nice playing and I just bought a Melodica because of that inspiring story
I am trying to bring it to Arabic music but in Arabic we have to do something to make it half tone to play some Arabic scales... The Irish music look interesting nd so happy and energetic
Half tones, are difficult on the melodica. It would be nice to have a newly designed microtonal instrument for that. But the melodica struggles with exact tuning so much, that might be difficult!
@@MelodicaWorld actually they re tone the melodica by open it and scratch little bit.. Si nd MI key nd will be able to play those Arabic scales they do it too with accordion too to make it half tone
Thanks! Enjoyed the video immensely!
When you need to produce the same note several times, do you press and release the key several times, or you do it with the blowing?
And... Do you have the backtrack somewhere in public access? :)
Great, that you liked it! For the repeated notes, I do it by making the sounds 'te-ke-te' into the mouthpiece while blowing. Sometimes I get the same effect with fingers as well, but its easier with the mouth once you get used to it
I don't have the backing track on its own
@@MelodicaWorld Thanks for your advice! I also think that te-ke-te is much easier. But I thought it would be good to practice the key version also ;) Though, I must admit doing it with the keys is rather challenging, esp on the black keys, as their shortness requires more precision in movements.
I am a wooden flute player just learning to play a vintage Hohner melodica; where can one get a melodica like the one you are playing? Lovely playing, welcome at our session any time!
Thanks Chris! The one I played here is one I made with an ebony case, and Yamaha reeds. The sound is similar to the Yamaha P37D
@@MelodicaWorld Do you sell the ones you make? Thanks for your response
@@tillybronte Unfortunately I don't Chris. They take so long to make!
Is there also a backing track available for the three irish tunes at the end?
No backing track, sorry
Did you just do a circular breathing? you were playing so long without stopping.. would you make a video on how to do it? Thank you so much.. great melodica playing thou!!
Yes, I use circular breathing when I play this sort of music. Maybe I'll make a video about this, but in the meantime, there's lots of videos in youtube telling you how to do it. This is how I learnt. It takes a long time, but it's not difficult. You just have to practice every day for 10 minutes, as it becomes more and more natural. Worth starting now!
Hey man, do you do private classes? I just brought one. Cheers
Hey, congrats! Unfortunately I don’t do private lessons. Though I have a whole series on UA-cam for beginners
HELP plesase, where I can buy the same melodica? what is the brand?
It’s one I made, using Yamaha reeds, so you’ll get a similar sound from a Yamaha Pianica
I'm weird I can't play the Melodica with the tube I have to play with the mouth piece
I prefer the mouthpiece too
@@MelodicaWorld I think it's because I'm used to playing wind instruments the same Style and the tube feels awkward and kind of uncomfortable
I lost mine so I just use nothing
@@eggn00dle36 you are a mad lad
Which model is the black melodica you are playing here?
It’s a homemade melodica using ebony wood
Damn! i literaly feel like my life is really going to hell! and its not the very first time i feel like this, but everytime i feel like crap, i've always had music, and in recent years, the melodica, which is of the few instruments that saved from the pawn store, since i'm going through some struggles in the economic (as well as mental) field, but i always try to spend every little free time that i have mixing my favorite songs and playing their melodies with my melodica, which i guess is the only thing that keeps me away from insanity ahahahaha
also, i was actually crying towards the end of the song, i dont know why, perhaps because the sound was really beautiful, the melody was really full of hope, or just because i had the vague idea that, just maybe, if i keep with my music, i might as well awaken the same feelings of joy and happiness in the ones who listen to my music. Or perhaps im just way too hiigh ahhahah but anyways, im not gonna quit my music after all the things we've been through! It wont be easy, but it will make it worth it ahahhaaha
Thanks for your lovely message, so nice to hear how the melodicas helping you through your struggles. Keep playing 😌
Did you visit my hometown Dehradun or Rishikesh in Uttrakhand ,India ?
Hey! I didn't visit Dehradun, but I must have passed very close by. It's very beautiful around there :-)
Just curious: Why the melodica instead of the piano accordion? I have seen at least one in the background of one of your videos.
I prefer the expression and portability of the melodica, but it’s a question I’ve asked myself before :-)
I ami. pianist st t too.
Cool!
I need a tutorial on that ornamentation, especially on that little 'stuttery' sound you make. It sounds great.
Hey, that’s called a ‘triplet’, my last video shows you how to do it!
@@MelodicaWorld thanks 😁. I've checked the video out and started practicing the consonants. It still sounds really choppy when I do it, hope I can get my triplets to sound as nice as yours someday.
@@lunamooncat7926 You should've heard mine when I started! Just practice a bit every day, and it gets better and easier, until you don't even know you're doing it!
What make is this please
It’s a homemade instrument made with ebony wood
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🇺🇾
Thanks :-)
Uruguay nomaa!!
Hi Sir , Greetings from India , do you give fave to face Skype lesson. Thanks 🙏
...breathe man! Seriously, how did you go so long without really any pauses?
Its circular breathing. I am breathing throughout, but I take very quick breaths through my nose!