MOE-MEM

Moe-mem is a wind instrument which uses a small flexible membrane over the end of its tube to set up the vibration within the tube, as described here for a related instrument in this collection. And it uses the open-slit-and-magnetic-strip pitch control system described here. The nice thing about bringing these two systems together is that the membrane reed system can operate with a blow tube (no need to place the instrument directly in your mouth), which means that you can place the body of the instrument on a table top in front of you. And the magnetic strip pitch-control system happens to work very nicely in this position. You can even mark your pitch locations along the magnetic strip in front of you in order to play more in tune. That said, the membrane-reed system does tend to be wobbly and inconsistent in its pitch results. The audio clip heard here represents a heroic attempt to play in tune in a demanding harmonic context! But even with imperfect pitch you can hear how expressive this instrument might be if someone were to take the time to learn to play it well.

In the audio clip, Moe-mem is accompanied by guitar.

In addition to the video linked in the video icon below, you can also see ‘Moe Mem in this video. 

 

Historical note: I first conceived and built the ‘Moe family of instruments in the early 1990s. Recently the Hungarian maker Dániel Váczi has starting building and promoting his Glissonic instruments, which are essentially identical in design and concept. The main difference between Glissonic and ‘Moe is that while the ‘Moes (like all my instruments) have a bit of a homemade quality to them, the Glissonics are refined and beautifully made. I recommend them for anyone who wishes to own and play an instrument of this sort.