It features 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.

Unlike most wind instruments, the melodica can play multiple notes simultaneously, limited only by the amount of air available.

[10] Melodicas range in price from under US$20 for a simple, plastic instrument to several thousand dollars for a rare, custom-made or antique model.

[11] Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Hermeto Pascoal developed a technique consisting of singing while playing the melodica, resulting in a wide tonal and harmonic palette.

[15] Funk keyboardist Bernie Worrell played melodica on multiple recordings in Bootsy Collins's discography.

Melodion (Suzuki), Triola (Seydel), Melodika (Apollo), Melodia (Diana), Pianica (Yamaha), Melodihorn (Samick), Melodyhorn (Angel), Diamonica (Bontempi), Pianetta (Guerrini), face piano,[citation needed] and Clavietta (Borel/Beuscher) are just some of the variants.