Hohner HM-32 32-Key Melodica

I got my melodica about a week ago and i love it! It's a very fun instrument to learn and play. seems kind of expensive, but for the most part its worth it. It takes a little getting used to, but once you do its a great instrument to play and just have fun with.

Posted by kelsonz27 from Milwaukee, WI on Nov 27, 2008

I ordered this instrument and cannot give it any higher than a 1, only because I never got it. It was backordered when I ordered and the date for arrival kept getting pushed ahead so I canceled and was forced to take an offer from another dealer that had it in stock.

Posted by OnceLoyalCustomer from Boston, MA on Jun 17, 2008

This instrument is easy to play, ultra portable, and delivers a sound that greatly exceeded my expectations (having never really played or heard a live melodica before). The portability alone makes this one worth the cash, and it also appears to be pretty well built. I've played piano for a number of years, and am finding the melodica to be extremely accessible and very fun. I've also noticed that having a more melody oriented instrument is forcing me to focus on phrasing and intonation, as well as letting me experiment with breathing techniques. I'm someone who often comps through solos, and this instrument is helping force me to make more melodious contributions during jams. My only gripe with this is the lowest Eb requires a stronger breath than any other note, which can be tricky to compensate for. That considered, I would highly recommend this melodica for anyone who wants a portable and great sounding instrument for reasonable money.

Posted by themelon from Bolton, MA on Aug 9, 2007

I'm very excited to have this instrument, and Hohner is supposedly THE name melodicas and harmonicas. As soon as I got it I began to re-work some of my group's repertoire to include it. It's a lot of fun with a lovely tone, but there is a small but significant problem--this thing is tuned to A-442, and, of course, it's not a tunable instrument. If we're playing a house with an acoustic piano that's been tuned to A-440, we have to cut or re-work the numbers that use melodica. What I don't understand is the reasoning behind this--I realize that many classical musicians in both the US and Europe have been tuning higher than A-440 for many years (unless they're working with singers), but I can't think of when I've ever seen a melodica in a classical performance situation. On the other hand, for bluegrass, reggae, jazz and other arenas where you might expect to see melodica, A-440 is still the norm. I'm now on a quest to find an A-440 melodica and I'm not having any luck on this site. Incidentally, some of the octaves are out of tune with each other--a little.

Posted by MamboMom from Belleville, NJ on Jun 29, 2007

I bought this melodica expecting decent results for the money I spent. Instead, what I received in return was an outstanding quality of sound, a good appearance, and a truly satisfying purchase. You can get melodicas for cheaper, but none that are this good for the price that it is. 32 keys give a healthy range, though even still sometimes still feel limited to a 36 key. In all honesty, though? 32 keys is fine. It's enough to easily get the job done, and gives a good range of octaves. This is definitely a fantastic purchase for anyone looking for a melodica to start with, or one to improve with.

Posted by Ryan from Orlando, FL on Jun 23, 2007

I first heard this thing in school when a classmate was playing it. It looks and sounds amazing; I would seriously buy it if it weren't a bit expensive. I am a pianist/guitarist who occasionally has fun with the harmonica, and I think this is a neat little instrument. As for the "Stick with a real piano" review, I think the reviewer should take into account the fact that this is mostly a harmonica anyway, and it's in no way meant to be used as a piano. Plus, cleaning out spit is just a part of regular routine. If it fits your budget, buy! You won't regret it.

Posted by Smiley from California on Jun 19, 2007

Melodicas are cool to use if you need a little something extra to put in a new song, but you don't know what to use. Often times one wants to add a passage thats different, something more uncommon than a keyboard or harmonica. Bands like "Oasis" and "Q and Not U" have used them to add more complex layers to songs. Though I do feel this particular model is a little expensive. Check one out.

Posted by Vince from Pittsburgh, PA on Jan 6, 2007

I got this gift as a Christmas present a year ago and have loved it. Right when I got the melodica, I was obsessed with it. It is a very cool instrument, a cross between a harmonica and an accordion/piano, and since I play harmonica, trumpet, and piano, I love it. People are impressed when I play very fast passages on it, especially in jazz band. For my final jazz band concert of high school, I played the key melodica for 3 solos and the audience went crazy, they loved it. The only cons are that it could have a few more keys, and a few of the notes are out of tune. The low F to the octave above it is out of tune..But overall, an awesome instrument.

Posted by Shoekazoo from Minot, ND on Jul 20, 2006

I thought this would be a fun instrument to extend my keyboarding skills. However, you must take into acount the smaller keys, the constant breathing, and awkward holding. I don't like cleaning out the spit everytime I play it. Furthermore, you can't sell it once you use it for this very reason. I believe I wasted my money. Think twice before you buy this.

Posted by NedBedHead from Sylmar, CA on Jan 29, 2006

Excellent all around except for the following: 1) the keys click annoyingly from time to time when I'm playing, which can be distracting to me and to whomever's lucky enough to be listening. They should be padded somehow, rather than sounding like plastic clicking against plastic. 2) the strap underneath pulled its supporting plastic away to the extent that it cracked. This did not affect the strap's mount to the unit, but I thought for what I paid for this melodica, it wouldn't have been fragile in this way. Lastly, I recommend buying one with as many notes as possible. I really wish there were just a few more keys on the lower register, but you can't always get what you want. Otherwise it's a fantastic instrument. I've owned this model since January, 2000 and I've played many a Ray Manzarek Doors solo and many a Donald Fagen of Steely Dan fill-in walking around the apartment and the house -- driving the marginally insane fully insane. These are fun little instruments.

Posted by Anonymous Musician from CA and VA on Apr 6, 2005