There's something that I've been wondering about for a long time. We have a piano accordion lying around our house that I like to play around with every now and then. You get the same note whether you push or pull the bellows. Now, this isn't true for all accordions is it? Aren't some made so that you get a different note depending on whether you push or pull? Can someone explain this all to me? I'm kinda clueless. And, if that is the case, which instruments require push-pull, and which go both ways?
As far as I know (help me out GeoffWright and others!), any accordion with piano keys blows air past the same set of reeds whether you push or pull. The other button accordions (including melodeons) blow air past different sets of reeds depending on whether you push or pull. This includes the simple 2-row and more complex Scottish and French all-button models.
There's the same difference between the Anglo and English concertinas.
That's my knowledge of them based on picking them up to find out how they work!
You're supposed to think of the push-pull one as a mouth organ with buttons on it!
You've got it right, Jim, as far as the mechanics of actually playing the instruments. However, you're description of how the instruments are built isn't quite right.
The piano accordion (and English system concertina) blow air accross two separate sets of reeds on the push or pull, the same as button accordions and anglo concertinas. The difference is that they have for each key or button two separate sets of reeds tuned to the same pitch. Do the math and you realize that they require twice as many reeds.
English concertinas have the same note on the push and pull, so like uilleann pipes they are suitable for nice smooth, flowing Irish jigs and reels. Anglo concertinas have different notes on the push and pull, so like D/G melodeons, they are only suitable for cheesy bouncy music like morris tunes.
D/G melodeons. I love it when you talk dirty!.
B/C rule OK.
There is always the expection to the rule. Neil Wayne has an early prototype english concertina with reversing air valves which only has one set of reeds. Needless to say the complication of the valves probably cost more than the reeds saved.
Dow plays an english concertina (see profile)
but likes to 'gee-up' anglo players cos some of them think ITM should only be played on an anglo which is bull, just listen to Ali Anderson. I play anglo by the way.
John Williams plays a Salterelle Button Accordion which is diatonic (it plays different notes on the push and pull). I have not tried an Anglo Concertina, but they are also diatonic. The English style concertina plays the same note on the push and pull. In addition the English Concertina has a very logical layout for the buttons in my opinion and tunes can be learned quickly, but I prefer the sound of the Anglo style.
Box/Concertina Question
Box/Concertina Question
Hi Folks
There's something that I've been wondering about for a long time. We have a piano accordion lying around our house that I like to play around with every now and then. You get the same note whether you push or pull the bellows. Now, this isn't true for all accordions is it? Aren't some made so that you get a different note depending on whether you push or pull? Can someone explain this all to me? I'm kinda clueless. And, if that is the case, which instruments require push-pull, and which go both ways?
Thanks!
-Max
# Posted on May 29th 2004 by Max Becher
Re: Box/Concertina Question
As far as I know (help me out GeoffWright and others!), any accordion with piano keys blows air past the same set of reeds whether you push or pull. The other button accordions (including melodeons) blow air past different sets of reeds depending on whether you push or pull. This includes the simple 2-row and more complex Scottish and French all-button models.
There's the same difference between the Anglo and English concertinas.
That's my knowledge of them based on picking them up to find out how they work!
You're supposed to think of the push-pull one as a mouth organ with buttons on it!
Jim
# Posted on May 29th 2004 by Worldfiddler
Re: Box/Concertina Question
You've got it right, Jim, as far as the mechanics of actually playing the instruments. However, you're description of how the instruments are built isn't quite right.
The piano accordion (and English system concertina) blow air accross two separate sets of reeds on the push or pull, the same as button accordions and anglo concertinas. The difference is that they have for each key or button two separate sets of reeds tuned to the same pitch. Do the math and you realize that they require twice as many reeds.
# Posted on May 29th 2004 by Tusong200
Re: Box/Concertina Question
Lots of three-row Tejano button accordians play like a piano accordian as well.
# Posted on May 30th 2004 by cousins3
Re: Box/Concertina Question
Continental chromatic accordeons also have the same note on the push and pull.
# Posted on May 31st 2004 by Paul_draper
Re: Box/Concertina Question
English concertinas have the same note on the push and pull, so like uilleann pipes they are suitable for nice smooth, flowing Irish jigs and reels. Anglo concertinas have different notes on the push and pull, so like D/G melodeons, they are only suitable for cheesy bouncy music like morris tunes.
# Posted on May 31st 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Box/Concertina Question
D/G melodeons. I love it when you talk dirty!.
B/C rule OK.
There is always the expection to the rule. Neil Wayne has an early prototype english concertina with reversing air valves which only has one set of reeds. Needless to say the complication of the valves probably cost more than the reeds saved.
# Posted on May 31st 2004 by geoffwright
Re: Box/Concertina Question
Is the box that John Williams plays a push-pull or not?
Dow, do you play an English or an Anglo?
-Max
# Posted on June 1st 2004 by Max Becher
Re: Box/Concertina Question
Dow plays an english concertina (see profile)
but likes to 'gee-up' anglo players cos some of them think ITM should only be played on an anglo which is bull, just listen to Ali Anderson. I play anglo by the way.
# Posted on June 1st 2004 by Pete Stephenson.
Re: Box/Concertina Question
YAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY!!!! Jack! Jaaaaaaack?! Look at that post, hahahaha *sits back and smirks smugly with tongue under one half of lower lip*
# Posted on June 1st 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Box/Concertina Question
Quick is there a doctor on the forum ?
# Posted on June 1st 2004 by Pete Stephenson.
Re: Box/Concertina Question
John Williams plays a Salterelle Button Accordion which is diatonic (it plays different notes on the push and pull). I have not tried an Anglo Concertina, but they are also diatonic. The English style concertina plays the same note on the push and pull. In addition the English Concertina has a very logical layout for the buttons in my opinion and tunes can be learned quickly, but I prefer the sound of the Anglo style.
# Posted on June 2nd 2004 by meowguy
Re: Box/Concertina Question
Is there any disadvantage to the push-pull?
-Max
# Posted on June 2nd 2004 by Max Becher
Re: Box/Concertina Question
No
# Posted on June 5th 2004 by Pete Stephenson.