Correct Way To Repeat The Same Note?

[lxnx]

I've now been playing a couple of days, and have a couple of tutor books on anglo concertina.

 

One thing I'm not clear on is how to correctly play the same note multiple times in a row.

 

E.g. to play a C then a C, do I:

 

a:

1. push the button and the bellows

2. stop the bellows (with the button held)

3. push the bellows again

 

b:

1. push the button and the bellows

2. release the button, keeping pressure on the bellows

3. push the button again

 

c:

1. push the button and the bellows

2. release the button, stop pressure on the bellows

3. push the button and the bellows

 

Sorry if this is a silly question, I couldn't find much info about the right way to go about this, and not sure which of the above 3 options I should be using (if any!).

Edited November 25, 2013 by lxnx

[Tradewinds Ted]

The answer is yes. I'm a relative beginner, but I find use for the first two methods, and occasionally the third.

Which method to use will depend on the phrasing within the tune, and the desired phrasing. You will notice slight differences in timing and sound quality, and each is appropriate in different places. When playing harmony the bellows action will affect all notes of course so that if you want the harmony to continue, then you'll need to just use the button to repeat the melody note. On the other hand, using the bellows to create a "chugging" rhythm while holding a chord is a great effect. If just playing a melody line then you have more freedom, so consider which will allow you to get the desired timing.

 

Edit:

Oh, and sometimes there is a fourth method: Find another button in another row to play the same note the second time. This is particularly handy if the harmony or phrasing would suggest a change in bellows direction anyway, or if you need to free up the finger from the first button to use it on a following note in the melody. But you may notice the difference in the sound from the different reed.

Edited November 25, 2013 by Tradewinds Ted

[lxnx]

Thanks Ted, so seems maybe I should just practice all of those things, and see which suits the tune I'm playing, rather than trying to find a single correct technique to use.

[JimLucas]

I've now been playing a couple of days, and have a couple of tutor books on anglo concertina.

 

One thing I'm not clear on is how to correctly play the same note multiple times in a row.

 

E.g. to play a C then a C, do I:

 

a:

1. push the button and the bellows

2. stop the bellows (with the button held)

3. push the bellows again

 

b:

1. push the button and the bellows

2. release the button, keeping pressure on the bellows

3. push the button again

 

c:

1. push the button and the bellows

2. release the button, stop pressure on the bellows

3. push the button and the bellows

I believe your "b" is by far the most commonly used method, especially (but not only) in the beginning stages of learning the instrument.

 

An aspect which you didn't ask about is whether to use the same finger or different fingers for the repeats. (Maybe that's addressed in your tutor books?) It's often better to use two different fingers (alternating if there are more than two same notes in a row), especially if the repeats are quick. And sometimes it will matter which finger you start or end with, depending on the fingering of the surrounding notes.