Duet with a melodica

ShiroKuro · 2025-04-12T13:42:09+00:00

I am prepping a piano+violin piece that I'll be playing at a party in May. So for my lesson last week, my teacher brought his melodica to play the violin par...

twocats

ShiroKuro Gunhild Carling is amazing isn't she!!

I saw her live, touring with Postmodern Jukebox a couple of years ago! I just missed her solo show here a couple of weeks back but I'm sure she'll be back in town in the next year or two 🙂

ShiroKuro

twocats I saw her live, touring with Postmodern Jukebox a couple of years ago!

How cool!

I saw PMJ perform live once, and was very disappointed that Scott Bradlee wasn't there! it was a while ago, so I don't remember if I knew that was a possibility before buying tickets or not, but either way, it was a bummer. Still a good show, but I really wanted to see him.

Does he no longer perform with them at all? I seem to remember he sort of... retired?? I don't recall now, I used to follow them more actively but no longer do.

twocats

ShiroKuro I saw PMJ perform live once, and was very disappointed that Scott Bradlee wasn't there!

They actually have multiple touring casts at any given time, including in Europe! I don't think he tours at all and is just involved in making the YouTube videos. Basically he's like the "original Broadway cast" and we just get to see the touring cast (which seldomly includes the big stars who were on Broadway) 🙂

ShiroKuro

twocats I don't think he tours at all

Did he ever? Because I thought he did, but who knows... I'm remember some big announcement he made... like when he left social media or something and switched to an email blog type thing?? My memory is rubbish, obviously, but I must been confusing that announcement with an announcement or retiring from playing.

twocats

ShiroKuro Did he ever? Because I thought he did

Apparently if you're lucky!

Also apparently he wrote a book!

https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/scott-bradlee/outside-the-jukebox/9780316415729/?lens=hachette-books

ShiroKuro

twocats I figured he used to tour.

Also, about that book... I just clicked, thinking maybe I'd buy it.... Looks like I already did, in 2022. 😅

Maybe I should read it.... 😁

twocats

ShiroKuro Maybe I should read it.... 😁

🤣🤣🤣

The pile of books that I have acquired but not read is... quite big.

Sophia

ShiroKuro is a vineta a kind of harmonica?

Yes, it is, made by Hohner. In fact the world of harmonicas is quite fascinating, few people realize it's an entire world on its own.

I'll put the rest in a spoiler tag to minimize thread pollution and not drive you guys crazy - open and read at your own risk. Don't say I didn't warn you ^_^

I grew up with harmonicas, because my dad lived and breathed them. It was his all time favourite instrument even though he was a professional clarinetist for a living. He specialized in playing them all (not simultaneously) by creating multitrack recordings. Just a few samples of his music:

With his trio

Arrangements

Own Compositions

Classical

Full Orchestra

Sorry if it seems I'm bragging - I'm not, I'm being nostalgic and this trip down memory lane brought back a lot of happy memories 🙂 He passed away a few years ago so this is my way to remember him - and, well... this IS a forum where music is discussed 🙂

pianoloverus

twocats Entertaining but rather superficial and gimmicky IMO. I think Cateen Is light years ahead of her both in his musical skill and as a composer/improviser. But maybe if I saw more of Carling's videos I would be more impressed. Besides the type of music I posted earlier on this thread, Cateen is a good enough classical pianist to make it to the semi finals of the Chopin Competition, one of the three or four most important piano competitions. Here is Cateen's main youtube site for those who want to see more of his performances.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=cateen+%E3%83%94%E3%82%A2%E3%83%8E

twocats

pianoloverus Entertaining but rather superficial and gimmicky IMO

She's a fantastic jazz trumpet and trombone player as well as a great singer. I'm surprised you couldn't see her skill level, they were demonstrated even in the short clips. Yes, the video is a bit ridiculous and over the top but she's an incredible musician and it's not just a gimmick.

Comparing her with Cateen is apples and oranges.

pianoloverus

twocats You have your opinion and I have mine.

twocats

pianoloverus well that's something we can actually agree on! 😛

thepianoplayer416

A melodica sound sort of like an accordion or Bandoneon commonly used for Argentinian Tango music.

Using it for the melody with a piano doing the bass is cool like an organ with 2 different sets of keys with different sounds. Like to try it when playing Christmas arrangements.

My father have an accordion probably from his older brother many years ago. He didn't learn it beyond a beginner level so it just sitting at home with nobody touching it. Don't think an accordion is that difficult to master to an intermediate level. A melodica looks like a cheap plastic recorder many students carry around. It's probably a fun instrument to play.

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