I've been thinking about buying a melodeon (Hohner 1 row, 2 stop).
I have found a really affordable used one (only €100, and it is in great condition, hardly used at all). However, it's in the key of C..
I know that I should preferably get a melodeon in the key of D for ITM, but I'm not willing to pay 10 times the price of this bargain, for a new D melodeon, and I will most likely only use it at home, unaccompanied!
Thus I'd like to know if the fingering on a C melodeon is identical to the fingering on a D melodeon?
Will the only difference between them be that the tunes comes out two semitones lower?
By the way, I was at The Dubliners concert in Malmö, Sweden last sunday and I noticed, surprisingly, that Barney's melodeon actually was in the key of C!
Does anyone know if the C melodeons are regularly used in Irish music as well? Otherwise I think it's strange that Barney plays one? Hmm, maybe a C melodeon just happened to be what he came by back in the days, much like I did know..
There are sometimes slight discrepancies in fingering on older melodeons (pre-WWII, say) at the bottom end of the keyboard - but this is irrespective of the key of the instrument. If you're looking for an introductory instrument to play at home, go for it. At such time as you feel able or willing to play melodeon in sessions, you can splash out on a nice D instrument - or you might come upon another bargain. Whatever differences there might be in the note layout would not be significant enough to present a major obstacle.
I'm not an expect on the subject but looking at the layout of C vs D, I believe the answer to your question is the fingering would be identical, but it depends on how you learn tunes, if you learn by ear, then you need to have the talent to step it down a notch or you could transpose the MP3 to the key of C from D with audacity or other tools like that, either way it's not too difficult..
one thing I have noticed recently with tunes in different keys from the original is that it gives the tune a whole new life, which could work for you or against you when/if you switch to a D Melodeon (Although between D and C I don't think the feeling would be significant)
for €100, if you like the tone and feel of the instrument, I would go for it, you might inquire before hand how much it would cost to change the reeds, probably quite a lot more than €100.
Well, the melodeon is stated to be bought around 1990, so it's not that old!
Goldfrog, thank you! I compared the two layout charts and as you say, the intervals are identical!
Theirlandais - I use GarageBand on my Macbook to transpose tunes (usually down a semitone, to be able to play with Eb whistles and boxes on my GDAE tuned tenor banjo!)
It works perfectly, so the key transposing is not a problem at all!
I totally agree with your statement that different keys from the original give the tune a new life! Hehe, maybe it's a good thing to play the tunes in C at home, just for the variation!
Yeah, I really love the sound and look of the small 1 row melodeon! (Especially compared to the huge, bulky 5 row button accordion made by Hagström, that I happen to have laying around at home.. )
Feels like €100 for this melodeon is a bargain I really should go for, since a new one costs over €800 here in Sweden!
Guess all I have to do know is pray to God, there won't be any other bidders!
By all means if it's in good shape, buy it. You can always get a D one later, and you'll have the fingering down.
Also, get this album if you can, by the Master himself, Johnny Connolly. The whole thing is played on a Hohner C melodeon.
Wow! After looking through the track list I really realize what a great album that would be to have!
Certainly A LOT of standard tunes and if they are all in C that would just be amazing to play along with! Any idea where to get it? Maybe some place online where you can stream it?
Melodeon key question!
Melodeon key question!
Hi everyone!
I've been thinking about buying a melodeon (Hohner 1 row, 2 stop).
I have found a really affordable used one (only €100, and it is in great condition, hardly used at all). However, it's in the key of C..
I know that I should preferably get a melodeon in the key of D for ITM, but I'm not willing to pay 10 times the price of this bargain, for a new D melodeon, and I will most likely only use it at home, unaccompanied!
Thus I'd like to know if the fingering on a C melodeon is identical to the fingering on a D melodeon?
Will the only difference between them be that the tunes comes out two semitones lower?
By the way, I was at The Dubliners concert in Malmö, Sweden last sunday and I noticed, surprisingly, that Barney's melodeon actually was in the key of C!
Does anyone know if the C melodeons are regularly used in Irish music as well? Otherwise I think it's strange that Barney plays one? Hmm, maybe a C melodeon just happened to be what he came by back in the days, much like I did know..
Thanks in advance!
/Mattias
# Posted on May 12th 2011 by Mattias Holm
Re: Melodeon key question!
you could get someone to put some nice new D reeds in it. saves buying you a new box.
also listen to this guy as much as you can:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLAg7W5Jfo8
a one row LEGEND
# Posted on May 12th 2011 by I ♥ Dow
Re: Melodeon key question!
I'll second ⒹⒿⒻ's recommendation.
There are sometimes slight discrepancies in fingering on older melodeons (pre-WWII, say) at the bottom end of the keyboard - but this is irrespective of the key of the instrument. If you're looking for an introductory instrument to play at home, go for it. At such time as you feel able or willing to play melodeon in sessions, you can splash out on a nice D instrument - or you might come upon another bargain. Whatever differences there might be in the note layout would not be significant enough to present a major obstacle.
# Posted on May 12th 2011 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Melodeon key question!
1 row keyboard layouts here:
http://forum.melodeon.net/index.php/page,keyboard_1_row.html
Essentially all the same just different keys ;)
# Posted on May 12th 2011 by goldfrog
Re: Melodeon key question!
Mattias Holm,
I'm not an expect on the subject but looking at the layout of C vs D, I believe the answer to your question is the fingering would be identical, but it depends on how you learn tunes, if you learn by ear, then you need to have the talent to step it down a notch or you could transpose the MP3 to the key of C from D with audacity or other tools like that, either way it's not too difficult..
one thing I have noticed recently with tunes in different keys from the original is that it gives the tune a whole new life, which could work for you or against you when/if you switch to a D Melodeon (Although between D and C I don't think the feeling would be significant)
for €100, if you like the tone and feel of the instrument, I would go for it, you might inquire before hand how much it would cost to change the reeds, probably quite a lot more than €100.
# Posted on May 12th 2011 by Theirlandais
Re: Melodeon key question!
Thanks for all your answers!
)
I didn't even know you could change reeds!
Well, the melodeon is stated to be bought around 1990, so it's not that old!
Goldfrog, thank you! I compared the two layout charts and as you say, the intervals are identical!
Theirlandais - I use GarageBand on my Macbook to transpose tunes (usually down a semitone, to be able to play with Eb whistles and boxes on my GDAE tuned tenor banjo!)
It works perfectly, so the key transposing is not a problem at all!
I totally agree with your statement that different keys from the original give the tune a new life! Hehe, maybe it's a good thing to play the tunes in C at home, just for the variation!
Yeah, I really love the sound and look of the small 1 row melodeon! (Especially compared to the huge, bulky 5 row button accordion made by Hagström, that I happen to have laying around at home..
Feels like €100 for this melodeon is a bargain I really should go for, since a new one costs over €800 here in Sweden!
Guess all I have to do know is pray to God, there won't be any other bidders!
# Posted on May 12th 2011 by Mattias Holm
Re: Melodeon key question!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yGet2acnIw
This chap's not bad for a Frenchman.
# Posted on May 12th 2011 by gam
Re: Melodeon key question!
By all means if it's in good shape, buy it. You can always get a D one later, and you'll have the fingering down.
Also, get this album if you can, by the Master himself, Johnny Connolly. The whole thing is played on a Hohner C melodeon.
http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display/2397
# Posted on May 12th 2011 by pennhorse
Re: Melodeon key question!
@ pennhorse
Wow! After looking through the track list I really realize what a great album that would be to have!
Certainly A LOT of standard tunes and if they are all in C that would just be amazing to play along with! Any idea where to get it? Maybe some place online where you can stream it?
Thank you!
# Posted on May 12th 2011 by Mattias Holm
Re: Melodeon key question!
Mattias, try here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toilean-Aerach-Johnny-Connolly/dp/B00439KH3E/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1305219520&sr=1-3
I'm sure it's available from other sources as well, like Celtic Grooves in the US.
# Posted on May 12th 2011 by pennhorse
Re: Melodeon key question!
Thank you!
I just listened to a short 30 seconds preview from the album, and it sure sounds great!
# Posted on May 13th 2011 by Mattias Holm