pianica

The pianica is a small free-reed instrument with a keyboard, played by blowing through a mouthpiece while pressing the keys, so that air is directed to a set of metal reeds; Yamaha produces instruments of this kind under the name, and it is the same family of instrument that is known elsewhere as the melodica. Because the player has to blow, the instrument allows some control of volume and expression through the breath, and its sound is clear and reedy. It is used in schools as a first instrument and by players of ska, dub and experimental music who value its particular voice.

pianica

See also