Comments on: Sinfonia to Cantata BWV 29 for 2 melodicas overdubbed in 9 parts http://jnote.org/1405 Custom-made digital content for musicians Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:32:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Jaems http://jnote.org/1405/comment-page-1#comment-462 Jaems Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:37:53 +0000 http://jnote.org/?p=1405#comment-462 Thanks Wayne! Thanks Wayne!

]]> By: Wayne Barker http://jnote.org/1405/comment-page-1#comment-461 Wayne Barker Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:41:46 +0000 http://jnote.org/?p=1405#comment-461 Geeeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnius! Geeeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnius!

]]> By: Jaems http://jnote.org/1405/comment-page-1#comment-226 Jaems Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:37:33 +0000 http://jnote.org/?p=1405#comment-226 Hi Marc. Thanks for the response. Hmm from what I can see, the Hammond and Excalibur don't go as low as the Suzuki B-24. I think the Hammond goes to C below middle C and the Excalibur goes to F below middle C. The Bass B-24 goes to F two octaves below middle C, making it a fairly true Bass instrument. For these transcriptions, some people have commented that they miss the extra 4th to low C, i.e the same range as the Cello. However, I think the low F is good for especially transcriptions of baroque instrumental music or consort music and I think that the extra 4th to low C might push the reeds beyond their capability. In general, the Suzuki B-24 is a fine instrument. The limitation is of course that it is a Bass consort instrument, meaning that it plays Bass and not much else. You can't suddenly shift to a high part. Sometimes I feel this limitation, if for example I am playing a Cello part and I want to go off into the Tenor clef. It's not possible. But the instrument is professional feeling and sturdy. It has a great sound and is obviously well-made. I am pretty happy with Suzuki, and it's all I use at the moment. The drawback is that if you play this instrument for a half hour or so, you will begin to feel the instrument losing response. The reeds get wet and sloppy. You can just push the spit valve on the bottom and lightly blow through the instrument to fix this though. But you'll notice that it clogs shortly after. For my transcriptions, I need a really fast response. That means that the slightest delay due to sluggish reeds will throw the whole thing off. But for Jazz or solo use, I am sure that it would be easier to cope with the reeds in this regard. It is possible to close mic this instrument. You just put the mic near the mouthpiece where there is a grill for the sound. That's how I usually do it. There may also be a grill on the other side (the bottom), but if you mic it right up by the mouthpiece, you can get the sound of the performer's breath and attack, plus a pretty good feed from the instrument. Hope this helps! James. Hi Marc. Thanks for the response. Hmm from what I can see, the Hammond and Excalibur don’t go as low as the Suzuki B-24. I think the Hammond goes to C below middle C and the Excalibur goes to F below middle C. The Bass B-24 goes to F two octaves below middle C, making it a fairly true Bass instrument. For these transcriptions, some people have commented that they miss the extra 4th to low C, i.e the same range as the Cello. However, I think the low F is good for especially transcriptions of baroque instrumental music or consort music and I think that the extra 4th to low C might push the reeds beyond their capability. In general, the Suzuki B-24 is a fine instrument. The limitation is of course that it is a Bass consort instrument, meaning that it plays Bass and not much else. You can’t suddenly shift to a high part. Sometimes I feel this limitation, if for example I am playing a Cello part and I want to go off into the Tenor clef. It’s not possible. But the instrument is professional feeling and sturdy. It has a great sound and is obviously well-made. I am pretty happy with Suzuki, and it’s all I use at the moment. The drawback is that if you play this instrument for a half hour or so, you will begin to feel the instrument losing response. The reeds get wet and sloppy. You can just push the spit valve on the bottom and lightly blow through the instrument to fix this though. But you’ll notice that it clogs shortly after. For my transcriptions, I need a really fast response. That means that the slightest delay due to sluggish reeds will throw the whole thing off. But for Jazz or solo use, I am sure that it would be easier to cope with the reeds in this regard. It is possible to close mic this instrument. You just put the mic near the mouthpiece where there is a grill for the sound. That’s how I usually do it. There may also be a grill on the other side (the bottom), but if you mic it right up by the mouthpiece, you can get the sound of the performer’s breath and attack, plus a pretty good feed from the instrument. Hope this helps! James.

]]> By: Marc http://jnote.org/1405/comment-page-1#comment-225 Marc Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:44:13 +0000 http://jnote.org/?p=1405#comment-225 Really incredible. I've never been able to get used to the smaller keys on a melodica to be anywhere near as versatile. Nice editing, too. Since you are one of the few familiar with the bass melodica, I am wondering whether you could help me out: I'd like to augment a small wind section in a jazz-rock ensemble. I have been intrigued by the bass melodica's baritone sax-type sound. On the other hand, it seems virtually impossble to mic. Also curious about the delay you mention here. The Hammond 44 has a built in pick-up, but a ridiculous price tag and I've heard some murmblings about notes just suddenly playing. And while the Excalibur also comes with a pickup, the one review I've found was about as nasty as yesterday's clams. Any thoughts on what you've heard about these three instruments and which might best suit my needs? Thanks! Really incredible. I’ve never been able to get used to the smaller keys on a melodica to be anywhere near as versatile. Nice editing, too.

Since you are one of the few familiar with the bass melodica, I am wondering whether you could help me out:

I’d like to augment a small wind section in a jazz-rock ensemble. I have been intrigued by the bass melodica’s baritone sax-type sound. On the other hand, it seems virtually impossble to mic. Also curious about the delay you mention here.

The Hammond 44 has a built in pick-up, but a ridiculous price tag and I’ve heard some murmblings about notes just suddenly playing. And while the Excalibur also comes with a pickup, the one review I’ve found was about as nasty as yesterday’s clams.

Any thoughts on what you’ve heard about these three instruments and which might best suit my needs? Thanks!

]]> By: Jaems http://jnote.org/1405/comment-page-1#comment-191 Jaems Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:07:28 +0000 http://jnote.org/?p=1405#comment-191 Thanks, Eric. The bocal even reminds me of the recorder bocal where I feel like I get more finger flexibility but the directness of the sounds is very slightly lessened. Thanks, Eric. The bocal even reminds me of the recorder bocal where I feel like I get more finger flexibility but the directness of the sounds is very slightly lessened.

]]> By: Eric http://jnote.org/1405/comment-page-1#comment-190 Eric Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:52:18 +0000 http://jnote.org/?p=1405#comment-190 As ever, you continue to amaze me. I never saw a melodica with a bocal before... Eric As ever, you continue to amaze me. I never saw a melodica with a bocal before…

Eric

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