D/A configuration

[Roger Johansson]

Hi

This is my first post here, so please be patient.

 

I have searched this forum and on the internet but have not found much information about the D/A concertina

 

D/A is special because the A on the inner row is a fourth lower than D in the middle row. So it's not just that rows is reversed, because the key of which should have been A/E if it was the same pattern as in a C/G. I am unfortunately not experienced enough to know what role this has in practice when playing. But I have a feeling that it plays some role in how to play the accompaniment on the left side? When I play my D/A, I can often make some kind of walking bass by jumping between the inner and middle row. It is difficult to explain because my English is poor and my knowledge of music theory is not so advanced.

 

Why have only D/A, this particular configuration?

[JimLucas]

Hej Roger, välkommen!

 

I have searched this forum and on the internet but have not found much information about the D/A concertina

 

D/A is special because the A on the inner row is a fourth lower than D in the middle row.

The configuration you describe is unusual. In fact , I think it's the first I've heard of that particular arrangement. D/A concertinas are rare, though not unknown, but they are normally like a C/G one tone higher, i.e., with the inner A row higher in pitch than the middle, D row. The arrangement of your D and A rows is more like that of a 2-row melodeon (2-radigt durspel), no? What are the notes on your third row?

 

So I don't know that you'll be able to get much specific help from the experience of other players here, but...

Var bor du?

I live in Helsingør, Denmark, 5 km across the water from nearby Skåne. And lately I've also been spending a fair amount of time in Jämtland. I enjoy very much experimenting with different concertina layouts... the English, various duets, and different versions of the anglo. So if it wouldn't be too inconvenient to arrange, I would enjoy getting together with you and your concertina to investigate its possibilities.

 

What sorts of music do you play or would you like to play on your concertina?

 

Hälsningar,

Jim

[Roger Johansson]

 

The configuration you describe is unusual. In fact , I think it's the first I've heard of that particular arrangement. D/A concertinas are rare, though not unknown, but they are normally like a C/G one tone higher, i.e., with the inner A row higher in pitch than the middle, D row. The arrangement of your D and A rows is more like that of a 2-row melodeon (2-radigt durspel), no? What are the notes on your third row?

 

Hälsningar,

Jim

 

Ok, no wonder then I got it for half price... :/

 

Such a coincidence, I live I Jämtland. So you are welcome to have a look at my bastard concertina whenever. It's a Stagi W-15, so it's perhaps not worth the bother however. I´m still a beginner so I don't know that many tunes yet, but mostly plays old Swedish tunes, polskas and ballads (visor). I'm attaching the layout.

 

/Roger

[Roger Johansson]

Here is the layout in text

 

f# b d'# b' a'# d''# b'' a''# d'''# g''

g c' f a' c'' f'' a'' c''' f''' b''

 

d a d' f'# a' d'' f''# a'' d''' f'''#

a c'# e' g' b' c''# e'' g'' b'' c'''#

 

c# e a c'# e' a' c''# e'' a'' d''#

d g# b d' f'# g'# b' d'' f''# g''#

C' = middle C = 262 Hz

push

pull

[JimLucas]

The configuration you describe is unusual.

Ok, no wonder then I got it for half price... :/

 

Such a coincidence, I live I Jämtland.

Cool! Which kommun? I hope not too far away. My base is in southern Bergs Kommun, just above Härjedalen, but I have no car, so to get there from Denmark I have to take a train to either Östersund or Ånge and then be fetched.

 

So you are welcome to have a look at my bastard concertina whenever. It's a Stagi W-15, so it's perhaps not worth the bother however.

On the contrary. I'll consider it fun to find out how various tunes fit into that layout.

 

...mostly plays old Swedish tunes, polskas and ballads (visor).

Great! I've been trying to learn a few local låtar myself, and hope to learn songs as my Swedish (or jamska) improves. I'd be pleased if I could learn some from you.

[SteveS]

 

Such a coincidence, I live I Jämtland. So you are welcome to have a look at my bastard concertina whenever. It's a Stagi W-15, so it's perhaps not worth the bother however. I´m still a beginner so I don't know that many tunes yet, but mostly plays old Swedish tunes, polskas and ballads (visor). I'm attaching the layout.

 

/Roger

Hej Roger

 

Välkommen till cnet.

 

Jämtland polskas fit well on the concertina - many old melodeon tunes work quite well.

Myself I play quite a few tunes from Jämtland on English concertina, as well as from other areas of Sweden.

 

You'll find there are quite a few of us here on cnet that play Swedish music on 'tina.

 

mvh, Steve

Edited December 13, 2011 by SteveS

[Dave Weinstein]

It was the existence of the inverted D/A's (Bob Tedrow had learned to play on one) which was the inspiration for the layout of my G/D Baritones.

 

 

 

[Roger Johansson]

I found this bit of info here at: http://www.concertina.net/kc_known_keys.html

 

"D/A (Treble range): Possibly number four in abundance. Found both in old instruments and today in both traditionally-built and Italian models. Irish-style player Grey Larsen uses a D/A, and sometimes so does Noel Hill. Bob Tedrow showed me his Italian concertina in D/A. Unlike other anglo concertinas, the inner, A, row was a fourth lower than the D row rather than a fifth higher. This made possible some interesting alternate fingerings."

[Ken_Coles]

Yes, not only do I remember writing what Roger quotes, but I remember watching Bob play (it was at least 10 years ago) and thinking, "Wow, clever alternate fingerings" and realizing my inner row was the wrong octave to use them. You could get ideas from players of A/D (or A/D/G) button accordion, however (where A row is pitched lower than the D row, yes?).

 

I was hoping Dave W. would chime in here, he is an expert now too!

 

Ken