The
melodica, also known as the
pianica,
blow-organ, key harmonica, or
melodyhorn, is a
free-reed instrument similar to the
pump organ and
harmonica. It has a
musical keyboard on top, and is played by blowing air through a mouthpiece that fits into a hole in the side of the instrument. Pressing a key opens a hole, allowing air to flow through a
reed. The keyboard is usually two or three
octaves long. Melodicas are small, light, and portable. They are popular in music education, especially in Asia.