English Keyboard / Fingering

[Jay Lamsa]

I'd been playing a Wheatstone treble 48 made in 1959 (acording to the Concertina Ledgers / Dickinson archive) for about 2 1/2 years - my first concertina. I recently obtained a Lachenal Excelsior from the 1880's. One of the most immediate differences I noticed was that the Lachenal keyboard felt "larger". On closer inspection, the keyboard seems the same dimensions, but the metal buttons of the Lachenal are much smaller and a bit higher than the plastic buttons of this particular Wheatstone. With the Wheatstone, I'd gotten into the habit of playing two notes with one finger (fifths for example), which is much more difficult to do on the Lachenal. At the same time, I've noticed that I can play most chords or double notes more easily on the Lachenal, because my fingers fit without overlapping onto adjacent keys.

 

I've not played other English concertinas - do keyboard sizes and button sizes vary between manufacturers. dates of manufacture etc.? Where this ties in with the forum topic is whether the novice player may have problems moving from an "entry" concertina to their next instrument. Also, is using one finger for two notes typical, or is one note one finger the rule taught? I tend to do what is most comfortable.

[JimLucas]

...do keyboard sizes and button sizes vary between manufacturers. dates of manufacture etc.?

On the English, button spacing (center-to-center) is quite uniform (I have seen very minor variations, but rarely), but button size and shape can make it seem otherwise, as you've noted. (There's much more variation among anglos, in both size and location of buttons.)

 

Where this ties in with the forum topic is whether the novice player may have problems moving from an "entry" concertina to their next instrument.

You seem to have noticed that some things are easier and other things more difficult on each instrument. I don't think distinguishing between those instruments as "entry" and non-"entry" is really appropriate. Both sides of the distinction you mention can be found in both low-end and high-end "vintage" instruments. Those are the sorts of subtle differences that can matter to an experienced (or just competent and sensitive) player, but at that level the person should go shopping for the instrument that feels right to them, not try to follow any sort of "rule".

 

Also, is using one finger for two notes typical, or is one note one finger the rule taught?

Some people recommend it; others recommend against it. I frequently use one finger for two adjacent buttons (sometimes even diagonally adjacent), but equally often use two separate fingers. It depends on which fits best with the rest of what I'm doing.

 

I tend to do what is most comfortable.

That's the right attitude!

(Though I also recommend working to extend the boundaries of "comfortable".)