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THE STUDIO — What do you get when you cross intense musical training with a slightly ridiculous plastic instrument?
The Melodica Men.
But first things first: What is a melodica? In essence, it’s a portable pump organ. But instead of pushing air through the instrument with your feet, you use your breath. Basically it’s part harmonica, part keytar.
It’s an odd choice of instrument for two men who met while studying at the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins. But that doesn’t stop Joe Buono and Tristan Clarke from attempting to share the “pure unadulterated joy that is the melodica” with the world via YouTube.
The great thing about The Melodica Men is they take the fun side of music very seriously. Whether they’re tackling classical music, movie themes or rock songs, Buono and Clarke always go the extra mile with costumes, props and even light choreography. But they also never skimp on tight arrangements and clean performances.
In this featured video, they take on Tchaikovsky’s "1812 Overture." It’s a piece you may not know by name, but you'll probably know it when you hear it. It’s also a song that famously uses the canon as an instrument, a problem that The Melodica Men solve with the touch of ridiculous whimsy they bring to every video.
Check out more video from The Melodica Men on their YouTube channel (it’s worth it) or visit their website.
THE STUDIO — What do you get when you cross intense musical training with a slightly ridiculous plastic instrument?
The Melodica Men.
But first things first: What is a melodica? In essence, it’s a portable pump organ. But instead of pushing air through the instrument with your feet, you use your breath. Basically it’s part harmonica, part keytar.
It’s an odd choice of instrument for two men who met while studying at the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins. But that doesn’t stop Joe Buono and Tristan Clarke from attempting to share the “pure unadulterated joy that is the melodica” with the world via YouTube.
The great thing about The Melodica Men is they take the fun side of music very seriously. Whether they’re tackling classical music, movie themes or rock songs, Buono and Clarke always go the extra mile with costumes, props and even light choreography. But they also never skimp on tight arrangements and clean performances.
In this featured video, they take on Tchaikovsky’s "1812 Overture." It’s a piece you may not know by name, but you'll probably know it when you hear it. It’s also a song that famously uses the canon as an instrument, a problem that The Melodica Men solve with the touch of ridiculous whimsy they bring to every video.
Check out more video from The Melodica Men on their YouTube channel (it’s worth it) or visit their website.
