A/d Anglo Tuning

[Bob]

I recently purchased a Jones concertina tuned to the keys of A and D. Since my experience has always been with C/G concertinas and I can see the practical reasons for that tuning, what are the reasons one would have a concertina tuned in A/D? I failed to mention that this is a Mini. The restorer, who is a recognized expert, has suggested size of the instrument and size of the reeds is the most obvious reason. Any other ideas? Bob

[Guest]

Hi Bob,

 

What are the dimensions of your mini? I don't have the exact size of mine (curently on order) which is in G/D (although I will certainly ask).

 

General question to the experienced builders out there - is there much difference in size between a G and an A reed?

 

Cheers

Morgana

[JimLucas]

Since my experience has always been with C/G concertinas and I can see the practical reasons for that tuning, what are the reasons one would have a concertina tuned in A/D?

What do you see as "the practical reasons"? What kind(s) of music do you play?

 

I assume it's what we call D/A -- i.e., the A row closer to the hand bar, -- rather than A/D (the D row closer to the bar); the latter would be very unusual.

 

If you like playing both "along the rows" and Irish/Scottish tunes, then D/A lets you do that in D and A, and playing in G is like playing in F on a C/G, which is not too bad, needing only 2 rows rather than the 3 rows needed to play in D on a C/G. Grey Larsen promotes himself primarily as a flute player, but he's also a fine anglo concertina player, especially on Irish music, and for many years has played nothing but a D/A.

 

If you're doing other kinds of music -- whether it's hymns, Morris tunes, Swedish polskas, sailors' songs, ragtime, or whatever, -- then the D/A may have particular advantages for particular numbers. It might just fit some individual's repertoire and style better than a C/G or G/D.

 

I failed to mention that this is a Mini. The restorer, who is a recognized expert, has suggested size of the instrument and size of the reeds is the most obvious reason. Any other ideas?

Is it 30-button, or 20? In any case, the difference between C/G and D/A isn't enough to account for the smaller size. C/G instruments were also made in smaller sizes. Colin Dipper's County Clare model is under 6" across. I believe that Lachenal and Jeffries both advertised smaller-size models. So I think the size was mainly a matter of personal preference.