What is a Drone ?

[Barry J]

As a newbie, I am confused by the term drone.

 

Is this totally different to the air-button ??

[TonyRussell]

A drone is a constantly sounded accompanying note, often in a lower register. F'rinstance, play a tune in G and keep your finger on a low G (drone) all the while. It's the bagpipe effect, as they have "drone" pipe(s) in addition to the melody (chanter) pipe.

That's the musical definition - otherwise, it's a male bee.

[Daniel Hersh]

As a newbie, I am confused by the term drone.

 

Is this totally different to the air-button ??

On an Anglo, it's usually a button on the left hand side operated by the thumb (in a similar position to the air button on the right hand side) that plays the same note in both directions. On a C/G Anglo they most often play a low C. Some vintage Anglos have them, some don't. They're less common on newer ones. My c.1885 probable Crabb Anglo has one, but I rarely use it. I might use it more often if I played more tunes in C.

[Barry J]

Okay guys - all clear - thanks.

[Brian Peters]

I uploaded a few tracks using drones to the old Recorded Tunes links page a few years back. They still seem to be available on the archived page.

 

Horses Branle in C with C drone (LH thumb button):

http://web.archive.org/web/20070928063235/www.anglo-concertina.net/guests/brian/horses_branle.mp3

 

Sellingers Round with C drone, then C drone plus mini-chords:

http://web.archive.org/web/20070928060842/www.anglo-concertina.net/guests/brian/sellingers.mp3

 

Nonsuch in Dm using D drone using regular LH buttons, then C drone, then conventional chords:

http://web.archive.org/web/20070928062550/www.anglo-concertina.net/guests/brian/nonsuch.mp3

[Mikefule]

The drone *key* is also a useful additional bass note, providing a pull equivalent to the lowest push note on the middle row. Tricky to use at first, but offering some new possibilites when you can do it.

[Jody Kruskal]

The drone *key* is also a useful additional bass note, providing a pull equivalent to the lowest push note on the middle row. Tricky to use at first, but offering some new possibilites when you can do it.

 

My 38 button instruments all have that left hand "drone" button but the push and draw are a fourth apart and not the same note at all. On the C/G the draw is C an oct. above the lowest note and the push is an F above that.

 

A very nice rhythmic drone can be had with two buttons that play the same pitch, one on the draw and one on the push. I often do that using buttons 5 push and 4a draw. On the C/G they both play a G.