The eMelodeon concept started with two separate conversations held in my local pub in April 2002. Ray Waite (melodeon player for Highside Longsword) challenged me to make a melodeon that could sound like other instruments as well as be played through headphones. Chas Marshall (concertina for Ripon City Morris Dancers et al) was pondering the feasibility of a 'melodeon capo'; in other words, a retunable melodeon. These two ideas together suggested an electronic solution and so I got to work on a proof-of-concept design and working prototype.

April 2004 saw delivery of my first production instrument, greatly improved from the prototype. My latest development, the eMelodeon.2 (pictured left), now contains samples from actual melodeons resulting in a much more realistic sound.

My interest in making musical instruments goes all the way back to my building a rebec (a medieval predecessor of the violin) many years ago and while I haven't yet achieved my goal of making instruments for a living, as a hobby it is still most enjoyable.