Question On Keys Discussed In Minasi's Book

[mkeveney]

Hello Concertina folks,

I'm a reasonably experienced musician, but new to concertinas. I've been reading this forum and other on-line sources extensively over the last week or so. Thanks for all the helpful information. I do not yet own a concertina, but am considering an Anglo.

Please clear up a question for me on Minasi's book:

http://www.concertina.com/merris/minasi-german-tutor-1846/minasi-german-tutor-1846.pdf

On pages 5-6, he gives a fingering for the 10-key, transposed up a 3rd (but missing the four sharps that the key of E should have). He goes on to state that the 20 key actually sounds a minor-third lower in concert pitch.

I conclude that, in today's terminology, his 20-key would be an A-E Anglo, and his 10-key would be a C# or Db Anglo. Does that sound right? I'm asking, because C# seems like a strange key to choose. Was it common?

..or am I missing something?

-Matt

[Rod]

Go for an Anglo with at least 30 buttons. A 20 button intrument is very limiting.

[Wolf Molkentin]

 

On pages 5-6, he gives a fingering for the 10-key, transposed up a 3rd (but missing the four sharps that the key of E should have). He goes on to state that the 20 key actually sounds a minor-third lower in concert pitch.

I conclude that, in today's terminology, his 20-key would be an A-E Anglo, and his 10-key would be a C# or Db Anglo. Does that sound right? I'm asking, because C# seems like a strange key to choose. Was it common?

 

Regarding the 10-key (I'd guess you don't want to play one of those) the dots don't make sense to me (would turn out be a concertina in some stranger "mode", with no major or minor to play at first grip; maybe they just forgot to shift the clef).

 

But the 20-key German concertina as referred to in the tutor is a very common C/G-one (sharing this key with the majority of today's Anglos as well), see the exercises and scales on pp. 4 and 5).

 

Enjoy discovering your concertina to come!