Customer Reviews
A great instrument, with a learning curve 
2006-11-10
I do agree with the above reviewer that the different style of fingering on the HM-901 and HM-900 melodicas might present an obstacle to musicians who are accustomed to piano-style melodicas, or other similarly designed instruments. However, for musicians who are used to concertinas and accordions that have a similar fingering style, it will feel very comfortable. In fact, because the Hm-901 is designed to be played with both hands (the left hand is intended to play the black keys while the right hand plays the white keys), I find that I can play with a surprising level of expression. The instrument's sound is very smooth and clear and definitely lives up to the Hohner name. Finally, the compact size of this melodica makes it a good choice for a "travelling instrument."
My conclusion: A great intrument, well worth the price. It loses a star only because the fingering may feel unnatural to musicians used to the more common piano style, and may therefore present a steeper learning curve than other melodicas.
Useless. Impossible to play. 
2006-06-27
If you are interested in this product you should be aware that this melodica, as well as Hohner's green "soprano" melodica, are virtually impossible to play with any real musicality. I am a semi-pro keyboard player, arranger, composer, and producer, and I have a few other melodicas. The problem with the red and green models is that the keys are sized such that they have spaces between them, which makes it quite a bit more difficult to achieve fluid fingering. The only reason I could imagine justifying the purchase of either of these models is if you happen to be a collector -- in which case you have quite a lot of superior models to look for before these! In fairness to Hohner, however, their other, larger models are generally decent.
Great-- especially for whistle/recorder/flute players! 
2007-12-28
Last year I bought a piano-keyboard melodica, which I liked, but, as someone much more comfortable playing Irish flute, tin whistle, recorder, and sax, I found it a bit of a challenge. What I really wanted was to be able to hold the keyboard like a whistle/recorder and use both hands to play the keys. But with the style melodica I had this was very difficult. Then I discovered these small-key Hohner models (alto and soprano)! I love them. They may indeed require some adjustment for traditional keyboard players, but for those who come from blown-instrument backgrounds they are extremely easy to adapt to and offer a great new world of sound. I really love the fact you can play multiple notes at once-- something that just can't be done on the flutes/whistles. You really can make great music on these models (I love playing Celtic music on them)-- but if you want to play them like a piano you'd probably be happier with one of the full-sized key models that you can finger in just the same way. For everyone else, I'd actually recommend these models over those with the larger keys.
A sweet instrument 2007-10-22
I must say that I disagree with those who say that this melodica is useless. I have been a professional saxophone player for the last two years and have been playing saxophone ever since the six grade. I played piano when I was a kid but never really got anywhere because saxophone is my true passion. When I saw this melodica it was like a dream come true. It was small, out of the way and easy to travel with and it came with all the perks, a cool jazzy sound, similarities to the saxophone so I can learn quickly and overall good quality. Because I am a saxophone player I can tell you that with practice you can achieve a lot of fingering fluidity and if you already are a sax player then more power to you. It's rich sound and jazzy feel are only the beggining of boundries you can reach and cross with this great instrument. You'll love it!
small melodicas rule! 2007-06-30
I must also disagree with every review that disses the small keyed melodicas. Like anything new you have to get used to it, and once you are comfortable on the small melodicas you can really shread. As one reviewer stated, you can play basslines and melodies and comp chords all at the same time by having both hands playing at the same time on opposite sides. If you just want to play single line melodies on piano like keys get the other style melodicas. If you want to be able to accompany yourself and play many more notes at once (you have greater polyphony because each reed is smaller, on the bigger melodicas you quickly run out of air playing even just diads) go for a 900 or 901.
It's not a keyboard instrument. 2007-01-12
Hohner makes two very different types of instruments, both called Melodicas, and people who confuse the two types are unhappy. The so-called "piano" style IS a keyboard instrument with wind power, making it a cousin of the accordion or organ, while the 900/901-style is, in fact, a wind instrument with keys, perhaps closer to a keyed recorder or other woodwind.
For a traditional keyboard player, the 901 alto could be almost as uncomfortable as trying to play a saxophone like a piano, while someone coming from a woodwind background would find the transition much easier. My suggestion: Those who are committed to their keyboard technique should buy the piano-26, piano-32, or similar model, while realizing that the 900-series requires a woodwind-like fingering technique for mastery.
red and green hohner melodicas 2006-11-19
I have to strongly disagree with the previous reviews of this melodica. I believe that the button styling of the red and green versions hohner melodicas have the best design a melodica can have. Obviously, it doesnt feel exactly the same as a normal keyboard, but to the extent that it shouldnt matter to a real musician. The thing i like about the button layout, is that its accessable from both sides, therefore both hands, unlike any other melodica. And no, you don't have to just play the black keys with your left hand, the white with right, its easy to reach all the keys from either side. It allows you to more fully immerse yourself in the musical expirience, keeping a rythym with one hand while soloing around with the other, or keeping a nice rythym with both hands, or even doing some bass riffs with one hand and messin around with the other. I highly recommend the button style melodica to the adventurous musician. What's the fun in one handed playing?
