Brief melodica course. Introductory.
What is needed? It is necessary to own or acquire a melodica. They can be purchased at any music store or through an internet sales site. There are slight differences among them, and the prices are not exorbitant when compared to a professional keyboard. Some are even priced the same as, or cheaper than, certain toy keyboards for children. There are top-brand melodicas as well as more economical brands that are no less good for it, as they work just as well, especially for those just starting out with this instrument. You can start with a 32-key melodica (2 octaves) or directly acquire a 37-key one (3 octaves). A 32-key melodica does not have the potential of a piano, but you are not starting from zero either; 32- or 37-key melodicas have their own power, and countless songs across all genres can be enjoyed with them.
Parts of the melodica instrument. Front of the instrument. Front part. It works through the air provided by blowing through a tube or mouthpiece (depending on your preference). To make it produce sounds, you must blow and press a key at the same time. The air makes the internal reeds vibrate when a key is pressed, thereby producing a specific pitch of the musical scale. Keys. Pressing them produces the sound, provided that we have blown air into it. If we press without blowing, it makes no sound. Inlet hole. At one of its ends, the instrument has a hole where the mouthpiece or one ends of the tube is connected. Some melodica models only come with a mouthpiece built directly into the instrument's body. Mouthpiece. Generally, each instrument comes with two mouthpieces. One is short and connects directly to sport the instrument. The other comes connected to a tube, and this tube is what connects to the instrument. There are different mouthpiece models depending on the manufacturer; some are flat, others are rounded, etc.
Back of the instrument. Rear part. Rear holes. Their purpose has to do with the sound. They are where the sound comes out. Handle. It is a strap or ribbon used to hold the instrument with one hand. It is usually used when using the short mouthpiece without a tube. Button. Used for cleaning the instrument.
Simple tips for learning to play the melodica. Let's begin: it is necessary to own the instrument, have the desire to play and learn, and have patience—a lot of patience, because inevitably (unless you are a genius) mistakes will happen all the time and you need to overcome them. How are mistakes overcome? They are overcome with practice, practicing a lot, reading everything necessary and more, and continuing to practice. Everyone sets their own time, which can be 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, or 1 hour every day, and improvements and progress will soon be seen. You can keep paper and pencil to take notes, or even make notes on previously printed songs. Blow into the mouthpiece of the melodica and press a key to hear what sound is produced. Press one of the middle keys on the keyboard. You should hear a loud, clear, and sustained tone.
Musical notes. First, you must learn the musical notes. This is an elementary course/short course for self-taught learners, so we will not dive deeply into topics like musical notation, sheet music, staves, etc. However, you can read as much material as you want, which will always be useful as a guide. For a quick look to get a general idea of the subject, you can check http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notaci%C3%B3n_musical (or equivalent English resources). But it is not necessary to learn that much; we will see that with simpler concepts, you can also play. The essential thing is to know that the notes are: C – D – E – F – G – A – B It is important to know that American notation exists. American notation is: C – D – E – F – G – A – B See the equivalences in the following image. Image 17 melodica American notation (center it) DO – C RE – D MI – E FA – F SOL – G LA – A SI – B This is only useful in case you want to play (or read) a song that is only available in American notation. Image 18 melodica keyboard staff notation (center it) Image 19 melodica keyboard notation (center it) The first figure shows the correspondence of the keys and their notes with musical notation on the staff. The second figure shows the keyboard with the names of each key alluding to the note each one produces. They are arranged in a certain order to make learning easier. Looking at the keyboard, we can see some shorter, black keys situated above the white keys. These are the sharps and flats, which are the same notes but altered. It is also necessary to know them, but for now, learning the notation of each key is sufficient. In the following image, we see the keyboard again, with a small clarification: on one side, the keys that produce low sounds are indicated, and on the other side, the keys that provide high sounds are pointed out. Image 20 melodica keyboard notation Low High (center it) That is the reason why some keys and notes are repeated, and each note has a sharp. It is necessary to learn them because this allows us to play a greater variety of songs. Some keys allow us to play the bassline; in some songs it is needed and in others it is not. Sharps are represented next to the note with a # and are played on the right side. Flats are represented next to the note with a b and are played on the left side. So we have the melodica keyboard viewed from the front. Starting from the left, the first four keys on the left side are F, G, A, B and represent low sounds. Then comes the Central Index or Central Scale; these are the normal, common, well-known notes without alterations of the musical scale—the notes in themselves, the natural notes, which are C, D, E, F, G, A, B. The following keys, those on the right side, are the ones that produce high sounds: C, D, E, F, G, A, B.
Having this essential foundation, you can already learn to move around the keyboard. You can now learn the notes and their corresponding keys. Practice will lead you to learn how to move between keys, go back and forth, move around, and recognize each of them.
Practice time. As stated before, practice time is set by each self-taught learner. It can be 5 minutes every day, 10, 15, or 20 minutes every day, or 1 hour daily—whatever is necessary. It depends on lung strength and the fatigue produced at the beginning since you have to blow and blow. If you learn breathing exercises, much better. The popular saying applies: "Practice makes perfect." Other factors intervene in choosing the time dedicated to practicing: the self-taught learner's enthusiasm, their taste for music, a practice space that does not disturb third parties, and a schedule that does not interfere with the time, work, and rest of other people, allowing you to practice peacefully without anyone bothering you. Some days you can practice more, other days less; consistency is important. It is important that you practice a little every day or most days. Practice can sometimes be accompanied by other elements; for example, you can play in front of a mirror to see the correct key pressing. You can also self-film to see learning progress and correct hand posture. Before starting directly with the sound, the self-taught learner can practice by pressing the keys without blowing, once or twice, and then start with the sound. You can also move your fingers "pretending to press the keys" without actually pressing them, and then move on to the actual sound production. Each person will see what works best and what is most appropriate.
Playing the scale. Having identified the notes, we will move on to playing the scale. If you have experience with a piano or organ keyboard, this will be extremely easy for you because the melodica keyboard is a compact piano keyboard. If you have no experience, it doesn't matter, and it won't be difficult for you to understand because being a compact keyboard makes it simpler, serving as an introduction if you later want to learn to play the piano or organ. Identify the scale on the melodica keyboard. If you have intuition, it will be easier for you. If you don't, you can write the name of each note above the key with a black highlighter. If you don't want to stain the keys, you can tape the name of each key on with transparent tape, and when you know them by heart, peel off the paper tape and wipe it with a little rubbing alcohol to clean it completely. Labeling the keys is helpful. Start by practicing the scale. Exercise the scale from highest to lowest and lowest to highest. Play a C major scale. The C major scale is played exclusively with the white keys and consists of the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. Play scales up and down to achieve ascending and descending melodies. At first, you can play while looking at the keyboard. If you have never played a keyboard, you should look at it so you don't make mistakes, or make as few as possible. But once you have mastered the scale, you can try playing without looking at the keyboard, trying to recognize the keys and the location of each one through touch based on normal habituation. Once this is achieved, less energy is spent; you no longer strain your eyes to locate the keys, and by concentrating only on the melody, finger navigation across the keyboard becomes easier.
Getting ready. With one hand or two hands. To get ready, you must position the instrument so that you have access to the keyboard and the mouthpiece at the same time. You will have to use both (keyboard and mouthpiece) simultaneously when playing the melodica. The melodica can be played in two different positions. One of them is sitting down with the melodica resting on something like a table, which allows both hands to be used to play the music, just like a piano. This is when the tube is commonly used due to its length. Although sometimes the tube is a bit short and you have to lean your head forward slightly. The other way to play the melodica is by using the mouthpiece (the tube can also be used in this form): with one hand you hold the melodica by the holding strap or handle, and with the other hand you press the keys. This setup can be done sitting or standing. It requires greater professionalism, as visibility of the keys is restricted, and all keys must be pressed with a single hand. In this setup, to position yourself with the instrument, your right hand must be near your mouth while your left hand holds the melodica. Both thumbs should wrap around the bottom part. (If you are left-handed, it is the same procedure but reversed.)
Exercises. Try playing a C major chord progression (circle) with the fingers of your right hand. The notes for a C progression are C, E, and F. Try it and repeat it until you get it right. Now, once you get the C progression down, you will play a simple melody using the notes of the C major scale with your left hand, while playing a C major progression with your right hand. Do it continuously without stopping.
What music to play? By searching, you can find easy music to play. That is, there are songs of all kinds; you can start with the simplest ones and from there move on to more complex ones. Generally, many songs that can be played on the piano can also be played on the melodica. Chord diagrams written on staves, for example those available for the flute, can be reproduced on a melodica keyboard. It is recommended to start with something simple. If you can read music from a staff, try playing simple melodies—for example, those ranging from the high part of the piano or flute music. However, if you still don't know how to read notes graphed on a staff, you can look for songs and/or melodies written directly with note names to make learning easier for you.
Where can I find melodies to play with the melodica? At the following links you can find countless songs written directly with note names.http://melodica-argentina.blogspot.com.ar/http://presencias.net/estudi/knopre.htmlhttp://notas-flauta.blogspot.com.ar/
Tones, semitones, and alterations. You can experiment with half steps (semitones). One of the great features of the melodica is that you can use the white and black keys to play all the notes of the chromatic scale, including half steps, which are difficult to do on other wind instruments. You can also play other music, but remember that many instruments are made in different keys; an instrument tuned in C can create a difference in sounds. To understand more about semitones, you can visit these two links:https://mcarmenfer.wordpress.com/2010/09/06/tono-semitono-alteraciones/http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semitono
Chords and exercises. The melodica shines when it is truly polyphonic (unlike other woodwind instruments). For example, it can play more than one note at the same time using the same chord shapes and notation as a piano. You can take advantage of this for louder sounds. Move your fingers of the right hand over each of the white keys of the C progression to play different chords. This can produce chords across the entire melodica keyboard, especially C major, D minor, E minor, F major, G major, B minor, and A diminished chords. Continue playing individual notes on the melodica with your left hand while playing the different progressions with your right. Hold down multiple keys to get a chord. You can create the same range of chords on a melodica as you can on a piano (of the same key range). Search for and practice melodies presented solely by their note names. With a simple and direct style, we intend to reach those who simply wish to have the satisfaction of playing a previously known musical piece. It is recommended to read note by note, slowly, until you incorporate the song, and then add the necessary expression to make it sound similar or identical to the original melody.
Final tips. If you play other instruments like the piano or organ, it gives you a bit of experience. This experience will help you learn to play the melodica more easily. The melodica can create sounds that fit into almost any musical genre. Find your own combination of styles and explore the instrument as much as you can. Experiment with various genres; you can play jazz riffs, imitate other instruments, distort sounds through an amplifier, and make many other modifications. Continue developing your playing skills. Use your imagination. Create your own melodies. Try composing a short melody using these notes, starting and ending the tune with a C. Keep practicing until you have composed your own songs with the melodica. Image 27 hohner
Breathing in wind instruments. The topic of breathing is important when playing wind instruments. The better we breathe, the better we will play. The greater our oxygen retention, the better we will play. Breathing well results in better music. Breathing is essential for anyone practicing music with a wind instrument. Not fatiguing yourself, maintaining consistency, and inhaling/exhaling strongly are healthy requirements for exercising with wind instruments. In the following links, we will find very good, recommended notes to read on the subject of breathing and wind instruments.http://www.csmcordoba.com/revista-musicalia/musicalia-numero-1/187-la-respiracion-en-los-instrumentos-de-vientohttp://www.naturisima.net/index.php/123-problemas-de-salud/sistema-respiratorio/18424-incrementa-tu-capacidad-respiratoria And in the following link, an article with breathing exercises.http://www.txistulari.com/contenidos/teknika/emision.htm Another link worth reading is about the effects of wind instruments on dental health.http://www.actaodontologica.com/ediciones/2013/3/art17.asp
Cleaning and care of the melodica. To clean the exterior of the melodica, you can use a dry or damp cloth or tissue. Pass the damp one first and then the dry one. For flat parts, you can wipe with a damp cloth with a little rubbing alcohol. Be careful that water does not enter the instrument under any circumstances, because if water gets inside, it ruins it. To clean the mouthpieces, you need to wipe them with a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol to prevent bacterial proliferation. Keep the melodica in its case, preferably in a dry place free of humidity. Regarding the cleaning of the tube, if you notice it is very dirty or has had heavy use, you should clean it by circulating water with alcohol through it for disinfection and to prevent the proliferation of microorganisms due to moisture. After cleaning the small tube, let it dry—let it dry very well on the inside; no liquid or moisture should remain to prevent mold growth. To clean the interior of the melodica, you must press a button located on the bottom, in the back where the sound comes out, without pressing any key, and directly blow into the hole where the mouthpiece or tube connects. Blow directly into the melodica while holding down the small button so that air can flow, and whatever it contains (saliva, dust, etc.) will come out. This button serves the drainage function. By pressing it and blowing, it expels particles from the inside to the outside.
Tuning. To conclude, I leave two links with the explanation of the procedure for tuning a melodica (they are in English):http://www.melodicas.com/tuning.htmhttp://www.alexawebermorales.com/how-to-tune-a-melodica/
Videos. On the YouTube webpage, and also on Dailymotion, there are numerous videos referring to melodicas. On YouTube, there are lessons on how to use the melodica conducted by Professor Francisco Caro from Lima, Peru. To watch some videos of melodica enthusiasts uploaded on YouTube, you can check this link: http://reuniendoletras.blogspot.com.ar/2015/01/melodica-iv-videos-de-aficionados.html
Links consulted in January 2015 that may be useful to visit:
· http://presencias.net/estudi/practi/kesmop.html?o=2
· http://presencias.net/estudi/knopre.html
· http://puramelodica.blogspot.com.ar/
· http://melodica-argentina.blogspot.com.ar/
· http://notas-flauta.blogspot.com.ar/
· http://es.wikihow.com/tocar-la-mel%C3%B3dica
· http://www.ehowenespanol.com/tocar-melodica-como_73035/
· http://www.ehowenespanol.com/aprender-tocar-melodica-como_79648/
· http://www.txistulari.com/contenidos/teknika/emision.htm
· http://www.actaodontologica.com/ediciones/2013/3/art17.asp
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