Hi everyone!
I play the C-G Button accordion, but would like to buy myself a nice birthday present of a Cajun 1-row accordion. One rows are traditionally what was used in Ireland until the 2+ row accordions came in and many players are rediscovering them.
My question is, I am going to play Irish music on this thing but I have no idea what key to buy...they basically only come in C or D. I can't read music, so I have no clue, but I know I can play most tunes on my D pennywhistle. Is D the key I should go for? I'm worried as this is an expensive thing to gamble on.
D is the best option.If you get a D melodeon you will be able to play along in a session.
The down point is you will be limited to the keys you play in because there is no Cnatural.
Go to the discussion I just posted and click on the link.
Thats a D melodeon.
a Quite good 4 stop melodian not Hohner ( as a current, NOT the older ones, the model 114 ) cost you under £200 in either ( in either D or C ) a wooden black or the " flight" case. Italian ones around £600 in cases. So need to break the bank, " just for the hell of it "
"D is the best option.If you get a D melodeon you will be able to play along in a session.
The down point is you will be limited to the keys you play in because there is no Cnatural."
... and if you get a G melodeon, you'll be missing the C#.
But the best one-row players - have an uncanny knack of using variations that work around the missing notes, so you don't vn notice they're not there. If you haven't already, have a good listen to Johnny Connolly (senior).
Don't get a cajun tuned box though, they are tuned to be played on the pull in the second position (A on a D box etc). They can sound odd played i their native key.
Go for a D - it's the most common key for session tunes.
You can try replacing any C naturals with an E or G (harmonically, a third or a fifth above), which should usually sound reasonable. The F natural would be an A, but it doesn't come up all that often.
I don't have a D melodeon, but I know from harmonica playing that a diatonic D instrument can play an amazing number of session tunes, including many in keys other than D and B minor. Out on the Ocean is a perfect example of a tune in the key of G that includes no C's, so it can be played on a D diatonic instrument. And many of the "E minor" tunes are actually E dorian, and use a C# instead of the C natural that you find in classical minor tunes. And like folks have said, unless the C natural is one of the "big notes" that defines the shape of the tune, you can cheat around it with a little mending and making of the melody.
what key of accordion!
what key of accordion!
Hi everyone!
I play the C-G Button accordion, but would like to buy myself a nice birthday present of a Cajun 1-row accordion. One rows are traditionally what was used in Ireland until the 2+ row accordions came in and many players are rediscovering them.
My question is, I am going to play Irish music on this thing but I have no idea what key to buy...they basically only come in C or D. I can't read music, so I have no clue, but I know I can play most tunes on my D pennywhistle. Is D the key I should go for? I'm worried as this is an expensive thing to gamble on.
# Posted on May 20th 2007 by dubhghaill
Re: what key of accordion!
D is the best option.If you get a D melodeon you will be able to play along in a session.
The down point is you will be limited to the keys you play in because there is no Cnatural.
Go to the discussion I just posted and click on the link.
Thats a D melodeon.
# Posted on May 20th 2007 by dinn2
Re: what key of accordion!
a Quite good 4 stop melodian not Hohner ( as a current, NOT the older ones, the model 114 ) cost you under £200 in either ( in either D or C ) a wooden black or the " flight" case. Italian ones around £600 in cases. So need to break the bank, " just for the hell of it "
# Posted on May 20th 2007 by lenamore Man
Re: what key of accordion!
"D is the best option.If you get a D melodeon you will be able to play along in a session.
The down point is you will be limited to the keys you play in because there is no Cnatural."
... and if you get a G melodeon, you'll be missing the C#.
But the best one-row players - have an uncanny knack of using variations that work around the missing notes, so you don't vn notice they're not there. If you haven't already, have a good listen to Johnny Connolly (senior).
# Posted on May 20th 2007 by ragaman
Re: what key of accordion!
Don't get a cajun tuned box though, they are tuned to be played on the pull in the second position (A on a D box etc). They can sound odd played i their native key.
# Posted on May 20th 2007 by goldfrog
Re: what key of accordion!
Go for a D - it's the most common key for session tunes.
You can try replacing any C naturals with an E or G (harmonically, a third or a fifth above), which should usually sound reasonable. The F natural would be an A, but it doesn't come up all that often.
# Posted on May 20th 2007 by bc_box_player
Re: what key of accordion!
Well I guess I'm getting a D! Thanks everyone
# Posted on May 21st 2007 by dubhghaill
Re: what key of accordion!
I don't have a D melodeon, but I know from harmonica playing that a diatonic D instrument can play an amazing number of session tunes, including many in keys other than D and B minor. Out on the Ocean is a perfect example of a tune in the key of G that includes no C's, so it can be played on a D diatonic instrument. And many of the "E minor" tunes are actually E dorian, and use a C# instead of the C natural that you find in classical minor tunes. And like folks have said, unless the C natural is one of the "big notes" that defines the shape of the tune, you can cheat around it with a little mending and making of the melody.
# Posted on May 21st 2007 by AlBrown