Brass instruments have great importance history in the music industry and the majority of these are used in art music, bands, and orchestras. Some are also used in drum and bugle corps. Among the widely used tools, the one gaining rapid popularity is the Mellophone which is band brass instrument and resembles flugelhorn.
People like to learn this marvelous tool and particularly the children love to try this one. Learning this instrument is not too difficult but for the freshers, it requires a lot of practice and dedication. If you are also interested in playing this or want your child to be an expert in this art, you should get a suitable one for him.
What are the Best Mellophone to Buy?
2) Moz Advanced Monel Pistons Marching Mellophone
- Affordable
- Reputable
- Great for Beginner
- Beautifully Crafted
- Durable Monel Pistons
1) Yamaha YMP204MS Marching Mellophone
- Professional
- High Quality
- Reputable Brand
- Enhanced Features
- Weight Distribution
3) Jupiter Quantum Marching F Mellophone 5050S
- Beautiful Appearance
- Great Value for the Money
- Silver-Plated Finish
- Comfortable playing
There are numerous brands that offer different kinds of Mellophones for different levels of musicians. Before choosing anyone, you should first know about the detailed structure, functioning, and types so that you can make a better decision. Obviously, you are spending your money, make sure what you are buying worth it.
According to some experts, the quality of Mellophones depend on the mouthpiece being used, the structure of the horn and its tuning capability.
Structure of Mellophone
Mouthpiece
Like for all other brass tools, it is the most important part that is usually separable. This is the part that delivers the power of play. The mouthpiece can vary in size having a different circumference, depth, and length. Changing it can affect the tone of your mellophone.
Lead Pipe
It is a narrow tube that connects the bore tubing and the mouthpiece and is also named as mouth pipe. Different varieties have different types of lead pipes on which the ease to play the instrument depends.
Bore Tube
The bore of mellophone is conical in shape. The size determines the effort required to play the tool and this is the part that decides the characteristics of sound produced.
Valves
Mellophone contains 3 valves that are the small structures, just like buttons. The musicians press them to alter the notes and tone. Pressing the valves can open and close the tube structure that results in changing the tool’s length.
Slides
These are the small movable tube structures situated close to the valves’ bottom. Players make use of these in order to make small intonation adjustments of the mellophone. The pitch of the sound can be increased or decreased by moving the slide towards or away from the instrument’s body.
Bell
This is the opening of the tool from which the output (sound) is produced. Usually, the mellophones have mid-size bells that help in producing loud sound with a medium tone.
The mellophones come in either brass or silver/gold.
Let us have a look at what it means.
Brass
The one made with brass gives more warm and rich sound. It resembles the sound of French horn.
Silver/Gold plated
The ones which are gold or silver plated produce sound that is almost similar to that of brass but their outlook is more professional. If you don’t want your silver/gold plated mellophone to tarnish, you will have to be more cautious with its cleaning.
5 Best Mellophone Reviews and the Best Mellophone Brands
Now, you have the basic know-how and you can go for searching the suitable one for you. Following are the reviews of some popular and recommended Mellophones. Give it a read and decide which one you need to purchase.
1) Yamaha YMP204MS Marching Mellophone
Who doesn’t know the contribution of Yamaha to the music industry? It is very famous and one of the top brands and has a great history. This is very reliable and offers out-class quality at fair rates. Yamaha offers instruments for all levels of musicians including the new ones, the advanced learners, and the experts.
The one we are discussing here is among the best sellers and has some advanced features.
This excellent tool is made to give an easy and commendable output. The sound produced is very rich and tonal projection is fantastic. The intonation is enhanced by the modified length of first and third valve slide. It comes with the bore size of .462 inch and functions in F key. Having silver plate finishing, it gives an attractive appearance and looks beautiful.
The sound delivered is clearer and snoring because of the enhanced shape of a bell. Moreover, handling it is made easier as the distribution of weight is more near to the user’s hand. Thus the Yamaha 204MS Marching Mellophone is very convenient to carry and play.
2) Moz Advanced Monel Pistons Marching Mellophone
Moz is a well-reputed brand and people admire it for supplying high-quality musical instruments. The good standard at the economic rate is their characteristic feature and all the products that are offered are first checked twice by the experts to ensure customer satisfaction. They aim to make learning easier for the students and offer a range of instruments.
This amazing instrument is beautifully crafted and comes in gold lacquer finish. It is considered most appropriate choice for the new players and produces a very powerful sound.
Those who are trying for the first time will find it easy to operate. It has the key of F and has .469 inch bore. The bell size is 10.591 inch and it delivers good quality sound. Monel pistons included are smooth, handy and durable.
Moz Marching Mellophone is exclusively designed for the students and constructed in a way that it delivers superb response and is very easy to use. The beginners who don’t know the right technique to play will easily learn using this tool and it would be very encouraging for them.
This wonderful tool comes complete with a mouthpiece and a carrying case. The case is light in weight and makes it easier to carry around your instrument.
3) Jupiter Quantum Marching F Mellophone 5050S
Jupiter has been serving music industry for a significant time and all its products are considered to be good in quality, outstanding in performance and fair in price. Like other top-class competitors, it also offers instruments of vast variety for all kinds of users.
The one under the spotlight is appealing in appearance and has a very brilliant tone. Usually, mentors recommend this one for school bands. The beginners can carry it as they want as it is robust, strongly built and can be used for longer period.
If your kid is new to this and doesn’t know how to handle properly, there is no issue. It is suitable for him. The advanced and intermediate learners can also go for this model because of its efficient and flawless performance.
Jupiter 5050S features silver plated finish, stainless steel valves and pistons, a yellow brass bell and a bore of.460 inches. Like all others, this one is also operated in F key and is known as F marching Mellophone.
The brass body is constructed with world-class brass and is plated with bright silver that enhances the brilliance of tone and makes it easier to play an instrument. For increasing the convenience for the players, the functioning of pistons is made fast and smooth.Furthermore, the silver plate finish enhances its exquisiteness.
4) Ravel RMP202 Marching Mellophone
Ravel is known well for the durability and quality of it brass instruments. Like other top brands, this one also ensures the standard of its tools by quality check conducted by the skilled professionals.
This one has robust construction and is perfect to be used in school marching bands. The sound projection is just amazing. Being durable, it can be used for a longer time and you can get through several marching seasons with this magical tool. This one is equipped with several advanced features and delivers a praiseworthy output. Additionally, these are offered at very affordable rates. This is a smart choice for the beginners.
Ravel RMP202 also has F key and the size of the bore is .470 inches. It has a lyre holder, three water keys and Nickle finger buttons that are smoothly polished. Other specifications include a Yellow brass bell of 18-inch size, pistons of stainless steel including plastic valve guides and a first slide thumb saddle.
The complimentary cloth for polishing, a pair of gloves, a mouthpiece, and a carry case is also provided with it. Thus, it has everything to make a good start. The case included is lightweight and has a shoulder strap that makes traveling with your Mellophone more comfortable and you can easily take it to your coaching center without damaging it.
5) RS Berkeley MAR675 Lacquer Marching Mellophone
This brand has been providing quality musical instruments to both the professional and educational markets for about 15 years. It includes wooden, brass and some other categories as well. All the instruments provided are made up of sustainable material and features the latest technology.
The product features include a 0.468-inch bore, 10.5-inch bell, and Monel valves. This model is sophisticatedly designed and strongly built. The attractive color makes it more desirable and the lacquer finish adds to its beautiful look.
Additionally, the top-class performance leaves all amazed. Like all other tools of RS Berkeley, this one will never make you regret. This comes complete with a mouthpiece and a custom case.
The addition of case is a favor to those who want to carry their tool with them more easily.
Choosing the Best Mellophone from the Best Mellophone Brands
Now you have an idea about the different structural parts of a mellophone, the function of each part and some of the major brands that are offering a number of these. After this overview, you can make a well-informed decision about choosing the right instrument.
2) Moz Advanced Monel Pistons Marching Mellophone
- Affordable
- Reputable
- Great for Beginner
- Beautifully Crafted
- Durable Monel Pistons
1) Yamaha YMP204MS Marching Mellophone
- Professional
- High Quality
- Reputable Brand
- Enhanced Features
- Weight Distribution
3) Jupiter Quantum Marching F Mellophone 5050S
- Beautiful Appearance
- Great Value for the Money
- Silver-Plated Finish
- Comfortable playing
The most important thing that you should keep in mind is that both the quality of tool and practice are important. You cannot expect to be an expert by buying an advanced mellophone, you need to practice first.
Your performance mainly depends on the mouthpiece. If you have the right one, you will rock it. However, if the one that you are using is inappropriate, no matter how good mellophone you have, your performance efficiency will decrease.
Remember that the standard mouthpiece that is usually provided with the tool may not be the right one for you. You can change it and go for the one that eases the playability for you.
Go for the one through which your lips can freely buzz and allows the forceful air flow. Try out different articles and buy the appropriate one.
Last but not the least, you should decide your budget carefully. The purpose of buying and your level are the two main factors that you must consider before deciding how much you are going to spend on it. If you are a starter and want to learn as a hobby, go for the cheap one and if you have the basic knowledge or know how to play, you can buy an expensive one with better quality.