I've a friend who is asking for advice about starting up learning the box and Irish music. He's trying to decide whether to get a B/C or not -- his son plays the fiddle (Scottish and Irish) and he wants to be able to play with him. I know nothing about button accordions. What should I tell him and where should I send him, you box players out there? I've already given him the links I found in a previous thread. I've lent him my John Williams CD and any other box cd's I could find, but haven't a clue what to say about the B/C or whatever issues.
Ok, these questions are asked by all beginning boxers. A D/G will allow you to play in those keys and their relative minors using either the D or G row depending on the tune. A B/C will do the same for its respective keys. For tunes in D and G on a B/C box, you have to play those keys by crossing over the rows accordingly. The B/C box gives you much more freedom melodically and harmonically. You can also play in A with a B/C. However, a D/G is much easier in regard to it requirements for technical ability. A D/G is generally much easier for a beginner. You can play tunes (in one row) in the most common major and minor keys in Irish music while also getting used to the push/pull action and keyboard function. If your friend just wants to play basic melodic box, I would suggest a D/G. FYI, Williams, S. Shannon, and Johnny Connolly play B/C.
As my husband wants to learn concertina, I'm interested in that subject, too. I've been told, the best instrument for irish music is an anglo-concertina in C/G, at least it is said to be the most popular key. Now we still don't know which one we should buy.
The problem with the C/G, at least in theory, is that it doesn't have the C#. So your D major tunes end up sounding mixolydian (not always a bad thing).
Concertina is such a great instrument. I remember the first time i heard one, i was blown away. Much more agile than an accordion. Looks pretty daunting, to a non-player. But if you want to see something really perverse, take a look a the "bandoneon", which used to be the main instrument for Argentine tango. Who can learn to play those things?
Whoops! I guess It's pretty clear I'm new around here.
Anyway, my name is Willy, and I play the anglo concertina and the C#D box. I've been lurking around this site for a while, and have found it very helpfull and fun. I guess I saw my chance to give back.
Zina, I would say about deciding what box to play, one should listen to great players play the various types, then choose which system they like best . The systems played most often in Irish music are the B/C and the C#D. Though I suppose it would be possible to play tunes on a G/D or C/G, I don't see how that would be wise. I have never heard of anyone using this type of accordion for this music.
Claudine, for the anglo concertina, the C/G is what is most commonly used in Irish music. When buying a concertina for Irish music make sure you get at least a 28 button model, most are thirty it seems, but a standard C/G would have only 20, and would have no accidentals outside of those keys. You don't want one of those.
Anyway, I hope that's helpfull.
Hi! As a lurker I might be able to add to this discussion. I've been learning to play a BC box for a couple of years. I've been a big fan of Joe Burke and am lucky to have a great teacher from east Galway, so I think style and instructors should help you decide which box you play. PS. I was at a workshop given by a Kerry box player who said I should give up the flowery crap and switch to a C#D box. Go figure.
If claudine (or anyone else) wants to read ad nauseum about choosing a concertina for ITM, check out www.concertina.net which is where all us conco-nuts debates such matters endlessly.
Box advice, please?
Box advice, please?
I've a friend who is asking for advice about starting up learning the box and Irish music. He's trying to decide whether to get a B/C or not -- his son plays the fiddle (Scottish and Irish) and he wants to be able to play with him. I know nothing about button accordions. What should I tell him and where should I send him, you box players out there? I've already given him the links I found in a previous thread. I've lent him my John Williams CD and any other box cd's I could find, but haven't a clue what to say about the B/C or whatever issues.
Zina
# Posted on August 21st 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: Box advice, please?
Ok, these questions are asked by all beginning boxers. A D/G will allow you to play in those keys and their relative minors using either the D or G row depending on the tune. A B/C will do the same for its respective keys. For tunes in D and G on a B/C box, you have to play those keys by crossing over the rows accordingly. The B/C box gives you much more freedom melodically and harmonically. You can also play in A with a B/C. However, a D/G is much easier in regard to it requirements for technical ability. A D/G is generally much easier for a beginner. You can play tunes (in one row) in the most common major and minor keys in Irish music while also getting used to the push/pull action and keyboard function. If your friend just wants to play basic melodic box, I would suggest a D/G. FYI, Williams, S. Shannon, and Johnny Connolly play B/C.
Check out this site for info.
http://www.hobgoblin.com/faqmelodeon.htm
# Posted on August 21st 2002 by SPeak
Re: Box advice, please?
AFAIK, B/C is fully chromatic, but the phrasing can be awkward. D/G is easier to play for the keys most often used for Irish music.
# Posted on August 21st 2002 by glauber
??
huh? i just read somewhere that B/C is the best for Irish music
# Posted on August 21st 2002 by no longer exists
Re: Box advice, please?
I though it was C#D which is best......
# Posted on August 21st 2002 by bb
Re: Box advice, please?
B/C without a doubt. Iknow the fingering is a little harder but if you play a D/G, ypou'll sound like an English Morris dancer
# Posted on August 21st 2002 by llig leahcim
Re: Box advice, please?
As my husband wants to learn concertina, I'm interested in that subject, too. I've been told, the best instrument for irish music is an anglo-concertina in C/G, at least it is said to be the most popular key. Now we still don't know which one we should buy.
# Posted on August 21st 2002 by claudine
Re: Box advice, please?
The problem with the C/G, at least in theory, is that it doesn't have the C#. So your D major tunes end up sounding mixolydian (not always a bad thing).
Concertina is such a great instrument. I remember the first time i heard one, i was blown away. Much more agile than an accordion. Looks pretty daunting, to a non-player. But if you want to see something really perverse, take a look a the "bandoneon", which used to be the main instrument for Argentine tango. Who can learn to play those things?
# Posted on August 21st 2002 by glauber
Re: Box advice, please?
Hello everyone,
# Posted on August 21st 2002 by willy
Whoops! I guess It's pretty clear I'm new around here.
Anyway, my name is Willy, and I play the anglo concertina and the C#D box. I've been lurking around this site for a while, and have found it very helpfull and fun. I guess I saw my chance to give back.
Zina, I would say about deciding what box to play, one should listen to great players play the various types, then choose which system they like best . The systems played most often in Irish music are the B/C and the C#D. Though I suppose it would be possible to play tunes on a G/D or C/G, I don't see how that would be wise. I have never heard of anyone using this type of accordion for this music.
Claudine, for the anglo concertina, the C/G is what is most commonly used in Irish music. When buying a concertina for Irish music make sure you get at least a 28 button model, most are thirty it seems, but a standard C/G would have only 20, and would have no accidentals outside of those keys. You don't want one of those.
Anyway, I hope that's helpfull.
# Posted on August 21st 2002 by willy
Re: Box advice, please?
Good advice, Willy. A 30 button C/G concertina will play in D using the third row. You could also get a 20 button D/G concertina.
# Posted on August 22nd 2002 by SPeak
Re: Box advice, please?
Hi! As a lurker I might be able to add to this discussion. I've been learning to play a BC box for a couple of years. I've been a big fan of Joe Burke and am lucky to have a great teacher from east Galway, so I think style and instructors should help you decide which box you play. PS. I was at a workshop given by a Kerry box player who said I should give up the flowery crap and switch to a C#D box. Go figure.
# Posted on August 22nd 2002 by boxielady
Re: Box advice, please?
If claudine (or anyone else) wants to read ad nauseum about choosing a concertina for ITM, check out www.concertina.net which is where all us conco-nuts debates such matters endlessly.
# Posted on August 23rd 2002 by KenC