The melodica is only an abomination in the wrong hands. Granted, 99% of the melodicas in existence are in the wrong hands, but the other 1% can make it rock.

Young mandolin virtuoso Josh Pinkham had a melodica-playing friend with him at the Florida Folk Festival a couple of years ago. Josh's parents' also sell instruments at festivals and their sales booth was set up directly across from my own pottery booth. There was a continuous jam session at the Pinkham's booth attended by every hot-shot player at the festival, including Darol Anger and Mike Marshall. The melodica player played every tune and always fit right in. By the time the weekend was over I'd gained a new respect for the instrument.

That doesn't mean I'm gonna go out and buy one of the things or anything...