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Using a G/D Concertina for Irish Traditional ?

Using a G/D Concertina for Irish Traditional ?

After nearly 3 years of playing ITM on Mandolin- I recently bought a 'cheap' 30 button C/G Stagi to see if I could get anywhere with it.
Now I've tried better instuments, and MUCH more pleasurable to play - so looking to order one.
One I tried was a G/D instrument. It seemed more logical (if less traditional) for ITM.
Although standard tutors, or trying to 'copy' top ITM players won't work - still plenty of scope. e.g. . All 'fancy ' fingering patterns they would use when playing in G, would work for D, and 'basic' playing (up and down the row)in D would generally be easier for a beginner. Playing in G would generally be an octave lower (which I like), avoiding the waste of having virtually unusable high notes at the top end of a C/G instrument.
Has anyone else experience of using a G/D concertina in ITM.
I'm being tempted to go this route.

# Posted on February 3rd 2006 by Col Arco

Re: Using a G/D Concertina for Irish Traditional ?

We just had a discussion about this a couple of days ago.

http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/9076

# Posted on February 3rd 2006 by Phantom Button

Re: Using a G/D Concertina for Irish Traditional ?

The "vrtually unusable high notes" are used all the time which gives the C/G the distinctive sound over the G/D.
You can follow many threads on this same subject on concertina.net

# Posted on February 3rd 2006 by geoffwright

Re: Using a G/D Concertina for Irish Traditional ?

Quite suitable. G/D has gained in popularity, though C/G is still the favorite of most.

I sold my G/D in favor of my C/G though. The lower octave simply doesn't have the power to cut through the other instruments in most cases (and I play a Morse which usually has no sound problems). That is the only caveat in my opinion.

Play what you like.

# Posted on February 4th 2006 by Ashkettle

Re: Using a G/D Concertina for Irish Traditional ?

The lower octave of my Jeffries can only be described as "raucous". If the Morse is not as loud as required down below, why not play in octaves - that will pad it out a bit?

# Posted on February 5th 2006 by geoffwright

Re: Using a G/D Concertina for Irish Traditional ?

Thanks for link to earlier discussion - somehow I missed that one.
Also for other comments, they are 'taken on board'.

# Posted on February 6th 2006 by Col Arco

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