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Glite Dictionary
melodica

melodica

1 7.3
A small keyboard you blow into to play tunes
  • noun
  • /məˈlɒdɪkə/
translation icon : melódica
  • For her performance, she chose to showcase her skills on the melodica, impressing the audience with its unique sound.

Examples

  • The pianist played the chords on the melodica, and the student was challenged to sing his song.

    Academic text (2013)

  • Is this Grandpa Frank's melodica?

    He's Watching (2022)

  • This allowed the melodica to be used to perform the four bars of students' phrases (who again had not focused on pitch).

    Academic text (2013)

  • He stood on one side of the stage behind a harmonium and melodica.

    Blog text (18)

  • Because there is usually not a piano available, he played a sample of students' songs on the melodica along with prerecorded and edited accompaniment music.

    Academic text (2013)

  • ♪ ♪ [melodica note plays]

    He's Watching (2022)

  • The teacher handed out a melodica to each student, encouraging them to explore their musical creativity.

  • During the music class, the children learned to play melodies on the melodica, using their breath to create sound.

Synonyms

melodion
vsmelodica
9.9

A small keyboard instrument you play by blowing air through it

focuses on playing with a mouthpiece while pressing keys rather than on reed detail

How Portable

harmonica
35 2.9
melodica
1 7.3
accordion
33 5.6
pipe organ
4 5.3

Surface Forms

melodica singular
melodicas plural

Morphology

melodica = melody (semi-transparent) = melod + ica

The connection to 'melody' is clear, but the specific meaning as a keyboard instrument is not directly derivable.

Etymology

Melodica comes from the part melod- meaning 'song' or 'melody' and the ending -ica, like in harmonica, so the name suggests a small wind instrument for playing tunes. That's why a melodica is a small keyboard you blow into to play melodies.