How can I learn to accompany guitar music?

[velocitygirl]

I'm a complete beginner on the 30 button Anglo, and am working my way through Gary Coover's 123 book. The reason I'm learning is a bit unusual - I'm a drummer in a folk-punk band and would love to be able to add some new textures to our sound!

 

So I've got lots of songs and the guitar chords for them, but I'm really struggling to put them on the concertina. At the back of Gary's book there are helpful chord charts, but there are some that aren't there, such as F# major.

 

So far I've just been playing long slow 2-3 button chords on the left hand. Is there a more interesting way to approach this? These are fast folky tunes, but I struggle to move the bellows quick enough!

 

Many thanks for any ideas, help, or inspiration, and excuse my ignorance of music theory and this instrument!

[Owen Anderson]

F# major would be a bit tricky on the left hand of an 30b Anglo. The F# and the A# are on the pull, while the C# is on the push. I think you could do the F#/C# inversion, where you play C# (L3a push in gcoover notation) on the oom and A#+F# on the pah (L5a + L7 pull).

[Kathryn Wheeler]

Welcome!

 

Firstly I’d think about trying rhythmic stabs instead of long slow chords to see if that works. Long slow chords can be good too of course.  If you’re a drummer you’ll already be on the case rhythm wise - try playing it like a drum in that sense 

 

Secondly, try just playing a couple of notes from the chord instead of all three.  Try playing one of the notes in the right hand to see what that’s like. 
 

Have a play around and try some unexpected notes and see if they sound interesting.  (If you want to play around at home instead of a rehearsal, record the song and play over the top of it. Try recording yourself too and see what sounds good

 

One of the great things about punk related stuff is that you can play around and be expressive and don’t have to be afraid of trying unusual things. Have a play!

 

For F# why not play just F# and A# together (you could add the F#  on the right too) 

Edited October 26, 2022 by Kathryn Wheeler

[Clive Thorne]

Damned guitarists with their wacky chords and keys. 😁😁😁

 

Lots of Smilleys to indicat that I am joking. The last time I made a quip it caused all sorts of upset and problems.

[RAc]

When playing chords on the concertina, the third is frequently left out, so concertinists tend to do a good deal of accompaniment with power chords. That has the additional benefit that you do not need to distinguish between minor and major chords! 😉 

[Cathasach]

Here's some chord charts for stuff that's not in the coover books

 

https://concertutor.wordpress.com/fitting-chords-to-your-playing/chord-fingerings/

 

How's this going?

[Jim2010]

Speaking as a longtime guitarist, you might consider adding melodic texture (echoing or varying the melodies, adding single line harmony to them, etc.) rather than concentrating on adding/duplicating harmonic texture, along the lines of a flute or saxophone player backing up a singer.

[wunks]

39 minutes ago, Jim2010 said:

Speaking as a longtime guitarist, you might consider adding melodic texture (echoing or varying the melodies, adding single line harmony to them, etc.) rather than concentrating on adding/duplicating harmonic texture, along the lines of a flute or saxophone player backing up a singer.

It depends on what the guitarist is doing.  They are capable of self-accompaniment so you don't want to compete.  I'm finding that an occasional light chug on the back beat combined with a sparse base line and/or an intermittent/variable high drone works well.  It's been mentioned that those around you hear the volume of your box louder than you do.  Last night the banjo player, of all people, complained he couldn't hear himself above my mild and tasteful efforts!

[welsh boi]

I have the same problem with volume over other players. I have to play as quiet as possible, maybe it does sound louder to players around you.I find myself having to lift my Edeo up nearer to my head so I can hear myself play.

[Michael Burke]

 

Exciting journey! For faster folk-punk tunes, try arpeggios, rhythmic patterns, and partial chords. Bellows control improves over time. Enjoy the process!

[James Fitton]

Maybe have a listen to the Demon Barbers for ideas? It's English rather than Anglo, but lots of interesting use of a concertina on this album: 

 

[rlgph]

I play a Hayden duet during jams with (mostly) guitars, a banjo and occasionally a mandolin.  I usually use pentatonic scales and play something approximating the melody, with occasional variations.  I like it (don't know about the others, but no complaints -- once i learned not to play too loudly).

Edited August 29, 2023 by rlgph