melodica (melodika)

[NL., fem. of LL. melodic us, melodious: see melodic.] A small variety of pipe-organ, invented by J. A. Stein in 1770, which was intended to be set upon a harpsichord or similar instrument so that a melody could be played upon it while the accompaniment was played upon the harpsichord. Its compa was about 34 octaves. The tone produced was flutelike in quality, and crescendo and diminuendo effects were 1803, in which the tone was pro IMG:content-0451.png:[blocks in formation] IMG:content-0452.png:[blocks in formation]