I've seen some different ways people have of holding a button accordion: fully strapped in for those into leather big time, or between the legs, so you are pushing and pulling against one leg, also on the legs, or to the side of both legs (on the LHS if you're right handed).
Would anyone say there is a "correct" way, or is this down to personal preference as to how you personally achieve the best leverage for pushing and pulling?
Rab, I think it's very much a matter of finding what works best for you - a position that is comfortable for your body (or at least the best ergonomic compromise to protect your back and arms from strain), at the same time allowing you to keep the keyboard end of the box as stable as possible.
There do seem to be culturally determined preferences, though. Nearly every Irish-music player seems to use one strap over the right shoulder, and the most common position seems to be to sit the right-hand casing on the left thigh (although as you say, some jam the box against the outside of the left leg or inside of the right).
Recently I was at a gathering that included half-a-dozen of the finest box players in Québec, all of whom played 2 and 3-row boxes (in addition to the classic one-row melodeon held on the knee). They all used two straps for these larger boxes, and most had the box off the leg. Worked for them - fabulous players.
The Best way to hold a box is right over a large dumpster and then release. This is also the correct way to Bodhrans, Banjos, and Guitars, most sets of pipes.
In addition to what Steve says above, the advantage to keeping the box on the outside of the left leg (for me, anyway) is that it allows you to keep both feet on the floor, as opposed to sitting with legs crossed and hunched over the keyboard. This takes a bit of getting used to before it's stable, but I think it's more comfortable for long periods of playing. More comfortable means more relaxed, less effort, and better playing in my book.
Either way, I'd recommend shifting about uncomfortably until you find a position you can settle into where the keyboard is steady, the straps feel like they're hardly there, and your left hand feels like you can push or pull with equal vigour. Gradual lengthening or shortening of the strap(s) might help too. The "right" position can take time to grow into, so give it a while after each change to decide whether it's working for you. I'd say it took several years to find a good position, and it's still a work in progress.
I'm wondering if the Québecois players keep the box up off the leg so that they can do batterie a pied? I've seen it done with a one-row on the thigh, but it doesn't work for me with a box on my leg.
Holding the box.
Holding the box.
I've seen some different ways people have of holding a button accordion: fully strapped in for those into leather big time, or between the legs, so you are pushing and pulling against one leg, also on the legs, or to the side of both legs (on the LHS if you're right handed).
Would anyone say there is a "correct" way, or is this down to personal preference as to how you personally achieve the best leverage for pushing and pulling?
# Posted on October 21st 2004 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: Holding the box.
Rab, I think it's very much a matter of finding what works best for you - a position that is comfortable for your body (or at least the best ergonomic compromise to protect your back and arms from strain), at the same time allowing you to keep the keyboard end of the box as stable as possible.
There do seem to be culturally determined preferences, though. Nearly every Irish-music player seems to use one strap over the right shoulder, and the most common position seems to be to sit the right-hand casing on the left thigh (although as you say, some jam the box against the outside of the left leg or inside of the right).
Recently I was at a gathering that included half-a-dozen of the finest box players in Québec, all of whom played 2 and 3-row boxes (in addition to the classic one-row melodeon held on the knee). They all used two straps for these larger boxes, and most had the box off the leg. Worked for them - fabulous players.
# Posted on October 21st 2004 by Jeeves Tones
Re: Holding the box.
The Best way to hold a box is right over a large dumpster and then release. This is also the correct way to Bodhrans, Banjos, and Guitars, most sets of pipes.
# Posted on October 21st 2004 by Urger
Re: Holding the box.
In addition to what Steve says above, the advantage to keeping the box on the outside of the left leg (for me, anyway) is that it allows you to keep both feet on the floor, as opposed to sitting with legs crossed and hunched over the keyboard. This takes a bit of getting used to before it's stable, but I think it's more comfortable for long periods of playing. More comfortable means more relaxed, less effort, and better playing in my book.
Either way, I'd recommend shifting about uncomfortably until you find a position you can settle into where the keyboard is steady, the straps feel like they're hardly there, and your left hand feels like you can push or pull with equal vigour. Gradual lengthening or shortening of the strap(s) might help too. The "right" position can take time to grow into, so give it a while after each change to decide whether it's working for you. I'd say it took several years to find a good position, and it's still a work in progress.
I'm wondering if the Québecois players keep the box up off the leg so that they can do batterie a pied? I've seen it done with a one-row on the thigh, but it doesn't work for me with a box on my leg.
# Posted on October 21st 2004 by Gzeg
At least 297:
words, that is...
Here's a nice picture of Billy McComiskey with a good grip:
http://www.unc.edu/~pmitchel/McComiskey.html
# Posted on October 22nd 2004 by Gzeg
Re: Holding the box.
Much as I thought - thanks guys. I was particularly amused by urger's comments...pretty rich coming from a banjo twanging bodhran thumper.
# Posted on October 22nd 2004 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: Holding the box.
I've reformed or so my musical police porole officer says.
# Posted on October 22nd 2004 by Urger
Re: Holding the box.
parole..
-Pádraig an bhéarla.
# Posted on October 22nd 2004 by Pádraig