Reddit reviews HOHNER HARMONICA 32B Harmonica, Black

I made a bedroom album that heavily relied on a melodica. Not super strange, but super fun to play. https://www.amazon.com/Hohner-32B-Piano-Style-Melodica-Black/dp/B0055DCWKS

well this one is even lighter :P

probably a 32 key hohner instructor: Hohner 32B Piano-Style Melodica Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055DCWKS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_XSFTDb1SSKRWE its a bit more than the 20 dollar ones but its probably the best beginner melodica you can find that can be played even when you're advanced.

otherwise, the ones going for 20 on amazon are generally fine. the only downside would be that you might have to tune it, but really you might have to tune it regardless of what you buy. if you think you're gonna commit to the melodica tho really it can be worth it to drop a bit more on it but the 20 dollar ones are perfectly fine and often sound perfectly fine

regardless, make sure the one you buy comes with a tube mouthpiece. the hohner airboards don't come with a tube and only the weird wonky mouthpiece and I had to buy a seperate tube for 20 smh

I collect some goofy instruments so i might be able to help ya out. I'm not to sure what music level you are at so I will just throw a bunch at ya. I'll keep them travel sized

Mbira - Fun little metal finger pianos.

Harmonica - Portable pocket accordion!

Melodica - Transportable Harmonica+Piano combo! Extra fun. Make some good dub Reggae tracks

Ukulele - Mini Guitar! Easier chords. Bass also available!

Merlin (M4) - Want to add a steal guitar sound and some twangyness?! Only 3 strings! Easy to learn

Native America Flute - These are absolutely beautiful while tripping. Especially the lower tones in the Tune of G. Incredible easy to learn and play. No note sounds bad. Pentatonic scale insures you will sound good no matter what. Get spiritual.

Ocarina - From Ancient Mexico. Like a small flute Similar to Native American Flute but look extra bad ass while you play it. Have people be like "wwaaahhh this dude playing a small wooden frog!"

Setar - The Persian cousin of the Sitar. Only 3 strings. Harder to learn for lack of english sources but with enough fiddling you will sound amazing. Another Spiritual sounding instrument. Sounds similar to the Indian Sitar but way more transportable. Movable frets and different "modes" (keys) make this a little more complicated.

Cajon Drum - Also often referred to as a "BangBox Drum". All in one travel drum/seat

I think most every piano player should buy a cheap melodica. I grabbed one on amazon for less than $40. Yea, they're skinny unweighted plastic keys and the dynamics aren't super consistent and yea yea, but if you just pretend it's a sax and play melodies like you own them it's a decent time.

Cajon (percussion)

Melodica

Ocarina

Kalimba

Beginner violin

Tin Whistle

Recorder

A lot of these may seem simple to play (or not "real" instruments), but proficiency in even these type of instruments is good. And as someone has already said, buying used opens up more possibilities.

Doesn't seem like the hohner student is made anymore? Is this it's replacement?

There are a bunch of cool budget instruments out there you might want to look into.

A melodica can go for as little as 30 bucks on amazon. It's the instrument that plays The Office theme -- it plays like a keyboard, that you blow into, works like a harmonica and sounds sort of like an accordion. It's really awesome.

You could also just get a harmonica. Choose between a blues harmonica an a chromatic -- blues can only play the notes in a blues scale (for jazz), while chromatic is a little more versatile but harder to play.

For 70 bucks or so you could get a pocket sax. It's a little mini saxophone that sounds like a soprano sax mixed with a clarinet, and plays like a recorder.

If you want to get a brass instrument you could get a pocket trumpet to start. 150 dollars or more, basically a little trumpet with keys and everything.

Of course, if you're not afraid to spend somewhere more in the hundreds, you could get a secondhand version of almost any instrument. Check local garage sales or craigslist for used brass, woodwind, percussion, etc. instruments.

Online you can also find cool instruments for cheap. A cheap sax might cost only a few hundred dollars.

A general rule of thumb is "the bigger it is, the more expensive." So a baritone saxophone or a tuba will be super-expensive, while a pocket sax is cheap as dirt.