What small, non digital instrument for finding and playing a few notes?

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I’m doing some exercises from a book (“Elementary Training for Musicians” by Paul Hindemith) and need to play some notes here and there, I’d also like to be able to play something small to find notes when “composing”.

I have a strong aversion to digital stuff so I’d like to keep apps and digital keyboards out of it.

Any ideas?  My thoughts are a mini xylophone or maybe some sort of flute/whistle thing..of which I’d much prefer the xylophone as I already know piano keys.
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Comments

  • EricTheWearyEricTheWeary Frets: 16253
    Melodian? I suspect a very cheap one might not have the best tuning but non digital and keyboard based. You could also learn some Augustus Pablo.

    https://youtu.be/RI5LRsMtyjA
    Tipton is a small fishing village in the borough of Sandwell. 
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  • VimFuegoVimFuego Frets: 15475
    edited April 2018
    ahem, that's a melodica. A melodian is what we in this country call a diatonic accordion. And a melodica would be an excellent suggestion
    I would avoid penny whistles as they aren't chromatic (so far as I know), you'd want a chromatic instrument. 

    EDIT scrub that, they are also called melodians. 

    I'm not locked in here with you, you are locked in here with me.

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  • EricTheWearyEricTheWeary Frets: 16253
    Sorry, melodica. I think I was getting confused by the band the Melodians. 

    Tipton is a small fishing village in the borough of Sandwell. 
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  • mixolydmixolyd Frets: 826
    Interesting, the melodica is a strong choice in that it has a piano keyboard and can do chords/intervals.

    Youtube also comes up with the Kalimba which has the advantage of a much less abrasive tone than the melodica but isn’t chromatic, unless going for a special chromatic version which has notes on both sides, a bit complicated.
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  • DulcetJonesDulcetJones Frets: 515
    Ukulele?   They're popular in Canada at the moment, small, cheap.

    “Theory is something that is written down after the music has been made so we can explain it to others”– Levi Clay


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  • BranshenBranshen Frets: 1222
    I think you want an instrument you already understand so you spend time learning the theory, not how to play the instrument. And I would recommend a polyphonic instrument, meaning one that can play multiple notes, like a piano, as opposed to a monophonic instrument that can only play one at a time, like a flute.

    This is because you'll be able to play and hear intervals and harmonies. For example, you want to be able to play a root and a 3rd interval, and hear the harmony that the two notes make together.
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  • Oh man, now I want to buy a xylophone.
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  • mixolydmixolyd Frets: 826
    I’m leaning toward a glockenspiel at the moment: a bit bigger than I’d like but they sound pleasant and are laid out like a piano.

    Ukulele suffers from being tuned differently from guitar so it has neither that nor piano layout.  Tempting for size and ease of use though.
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  • dogloaddogload Frets: 1495
    What about an Appalachian dulcimer?
    Simple and fun and surprisingly versatile

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  • UnclePsychosisUnclePsychosis Frets: 12880
    Melodica was what I was going to suggest. 
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  • Bagpipes
    www.maltingsaudio.co.uk
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  • mixolydmixolyd Frets: 826
    Bagpipes
    Best appreciated at some distance, I find.
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  • SporkySporky Frets: 27572
    Trombone. 
    "[Sporky] brings a certain vibe and dignity to the forum."
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  • VimFuegoVimFuego Frets: 15475
    Sporky said:
    Trombone. 
    rusty?

    I'm not locked in here with you, you are locked in here with me.

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  • EricTheWearyEricTheWeary Frets: 16253
    VimFuego said:
    Sporky said:
    Trombone. 
    rusty?
    Pink. 
    Tipton is a small fishing village in the borough of Sandwell. 
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  • hasslehamhassleham Frets: 598
    If this doesn't make you want a melodica I don't know what will!

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