David I Am

I think it might be worthwhile to consider in a fluid dynamics sense that the bladder is what provides the proximate gust of air that permits the attack it DOES have to actually happen.

When that big valve/reed clearance opens, the air must rush through – if there’s no spring-loaded proximate air reservoir to dump, it would start swinging much…[Read more]

regarding disassembling the melodion? No, its not glued. Its probably just a bit stuck together with pressure and rubber gasket and maybe a little spit, uh, ‘condensation’, shall we say.

I haven’t taken my B24 apart, but I’m willing to to help you be more confident about how it goes together.

Expect information in the next day or two.

I guess you could adjust the curve/gap of the reeds to see if you can get a better attack pattern. I would be intensely interested in what you learn about the way the gap and curve affects the attack of the notes. Its a fairly rare player who even tunes his own melodicas much less adjust the gap and curve, hence the rarity of good information on…[Read more]

I think this is an effect of just the reeds being so massive and big so that they can make the deep sound they make.

Think about pressure vs. pressing a note. On a normal pitch melodica, its not unusual to get a degree of expression to your notes by bringing the air pressure up when you wish to play a note. It is very natural to use the breath…[Read more]

Right, relax, its okay. You can do this. Melodica is a simple instrument, and they aren’t difficult to disassemble.

You’re going to likely need a small screwdriver and a medium screwdriver. technically ‘0.5’ ‘1’ and ‘2’ Phillips drivers will usually fit all the various screws.

Get yourself a magnet to hold screws, it’ll come in handy. My…[Read more]

I know what you are speaking of, I too have experienced this effect with various melodicas. (though I don’t remember specifically if my P37D has particularly exhibited this problem) – my suzuki melodion has for sure though.

So you get this situation where the internals of the instrument are saturated with condensation and water/salivations are…[Read more]

I had this exact thing happen and replaced it with an order from https://www.yamaha24x7.com/#/

You have to create yourself an account but its free and then you can order parts. Here’s what my confirmation email looked like in part:

Thank you for your recent purchase with us. Your Yamaha order is on it’s way.

Your order details are:
Order…[Read more]

You can inspect it but it may not be repairable.

Open up your melodica and inspect the critical reed here.

It could be encrusted with corrosion or some saliva bits, in which case, carefully clean it.

It could be not quite centered in the slot. Use feeler gauges (buy a set they’re cheap and useful) to check the positioning on either side – it…[Read more]

Oooh,from 5:10 to 5:50 – A MELODICA TUNING BELLOWS. I am taking intensive notes. I want to make one that works as efficiently as this one does! I particularly noticing the little spur that presses the reed up so you can file at it!

Thank you Mr. Brinton – I will create this tuner eventually, and don’t be too surprised if I try to solicit your help to alpha test what I come up with. I value your experience and feedback.

In considering how our aerophones are distressed diff between play vs. tuned, I can think of several factors – temperature is one, as our warm breath is…[Read more]

Wow, I overestimated the interest in this.

For what little it is worth, I have imported melodicas to the united states from japan and haven’t been hassled by any import duties – case in point, my recent purchase of a Yamaha P37D from ‘UJC Mart Japan’ via product page https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Y7LVES – that would seem to indicate its possible to get such instruments in from…[Read more]