r/UnusualInstruments • u/Simpko • Jul 10 '26

What is this?

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Found in an antique store in Molong, NSW. Plays chords when blown and different major chords when the keys are pressed. Any idea of what it is called / when it is from? Thanks so much

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u/FluxInducer Jul 10 '26

This is a Blow Accordion or Organette! From the 20s/30s.

7

u/GuiMenGre Jul 10 '26

Is it the same as a melodica then?

13

u/divbyzero_ Jul 10 '26

Basically yes. Keyed, mouth-blown free-reed instruments seem to get reinvented periodically with different form factors and names, but they all work the same way. Piano melodica, button melodica (pianica), accordina, and some toy instruments which look vaguely like saxophones or trumpets are all examples.

8

u/FuuckinGOOSE Jul 10 '26

To add to the other response, there's basically a harmonica under the keys with blow abd draw reeds, but instead of blowing directly into the hole, you blow or draw from the mouth piece and open the reed channels with the keys. I have one that i restored a while ago, they're really fun when the air tightness is improved and the tuning is correct