RockJam RJMEL 32 Key Melodica Piano RJMEL

Everything was good.

I ordered this Melodica because I wanted to re-kindle my music making, which had been neglected for a good thirty years.The melodica is a basic keyboard instrument, which you have to play with your fingers and simultaneously blow like a harmonica. I was able to re-learn the keyboard in about three months, and although I've never had one of these specific instruments before I picked up the mouthpiece on the basis of previous skill with the kazoo.After that my 9-year old nephew promptly took possession, and the melodica has been ideal for him to learn on. In terms of the positive, this instrument doesn't need batteries or plugs and is nice and light to carry from room to room. Also, there are two different mouthpieces, one long and one short, which means that, for the present, he can use the keyboard flat on the dining room table rather than attempting to hold it whilst blowing and playing simultaneously.The noise is a bit raucous and to be fair I think a jamming session of 9-year olds is about its mark.Also, I wish there had been instructions and a small beginner's song book - I didn't need them for myself but my sister-in-law was challenged when supervising the nephew's musical progress without me.Very good first instrument.

I ordered this for my 7 year old son as he has shown some interest in the piano, but that's a bit big for him. This isn't, it's perfect. He can easily hold the keyboard and play the keys. All he has to do is put the mouthpiece in and blow and he's playing music. The harder he blows into the mouthpiece the louder it is. Great fun and we both love it.

Any instrument which makes a musical noise, including the comb and tissue of my boyhood, has always been welcome; and I can recall owning a Melodica such as this for a short time in my twenties. Its musical name is “Free-reed aerophone” - like a mouth organ, in other words - and there have been many, with different names, but the Melodica itself was introduced by Hohner, the Italian mouth-organ kings, sixty years ago, and they still make upmarket versions, which probably have a better tone than this. Some other versions come with buttons, like a more conventional wind instrument.You either like or hate the tone; some liken it to the oboe; to me it’s more reminiscent of a cheesy home organ of the same era. In fact, Silvertone call theirs an Orgamonica ! Despite the brand name of this version, I can’t see anyone wanting to go into a Rock jam-session with one, although a Muddy Waters sideman used to use one occasionally, its mournful tone being very apposite for the blues...This is a seemingly well-made version, coming with a nice canvas carry-case with handles, and a hand-strap on the back for holding it with your left hand when playing with the supplied long mouthpiece tube - when it’s a bit easier for a less-than-accomplished keyboardist to see where your fingers are going ! Bear in mind that the white keys are a mere 17mm wide, meaning that with big, arthriticky hands like mine, wrong notes are a given...Still, it’s a lot of fun for a quiet, introspective tootle when you’re home alone, and by modulating your breathing you can produce a nice vibrato. No price was available at the time of writing, but similar models sell for £20 or less; any more and you can knock off a star or two from my rating.

Nicely designed melodica, comprising 32 mini keys spanning two and a half octaves, short mouthpiece and long mouth-tube, cleaning cloth and a handy zip-case.For children or complete beginners, the keys are embossed with the continental solfège names (do, re, mi etc.), although the monochrome finish looks reasonably professional.It doesn't need too much puff to produce a reasonably loud note. Polyphonic (I.e. chords) requires a bit more lung effort.If you can master the sort of circular breathing used for playing the didgeridoo, then you will take to this like a duck to water.No MIDI interface. No headphone socket. No AUX out. No Bluetooth. No batteries or mains adapter required etc. It is the very simplicity of this instrument that makes it so endearing.Keys may be a bit on the narrow side for adult fingers - especially big banana fingers like mine, more used to coaxing some dirty blues out of my trusty Strat, but if you have the stirrings of a tune in your head you want to tinker with, then I can certainly appreciate the appeal of this highly portable and versatile little instrument.

The end does not fit properly. It seems it hasn’t been made correctly. Nothing heard back from the company either