David Bradford Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 Hello folks! I'm a brand new concertina student (10 days in) and I have a question that I haven't seen addressed in the beginner book I have or by the online (prerecorded) lessons I'm taking. My question is: How are you supposed to differentiate between the same note played repeatedly? For example, in Skye Boat Song, there's a sequence of G, E, G, G, G. Should I separate the repeated Gs by holding in the button and stopping and starting the push on my bellows, or should I separate the notes by continuing to push on the bellows and alternately pressing and releasing the button? Does it even matter? I know it's a simple question, but I hate to learn bad habits from the start. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Schulteis Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 Pressing and releasing the button is a good default, and that's where I'd recommend you start. As you gain experience, you may choose other techniques to achieve different effects. Pulsing/shaking the bellows is one option. Tapping the side of the concertina where there is no button is another. Pressing the same button repeatedly, but with different fingers is a third. On top of all that, there are also various ornaments that can be used for articulation. So it may seem like a simple question, but it's a good one! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Bradford Posted February 12, 2023 Author Share Posted February 12, 2023 Thanks very much. That's helpful - and reassuring! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Eskin Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 Are you on an English or Anglo concertina? If on an Anglo, another possibility for the G (assuming G above middle C) is to use the G button push on the C row followed by the G button push on the G row. This is a useful technique for playing fast triples as well, alternating between the buttons. Works for the A on the draw as well. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIMON GABRIELOW Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 You will eventually find your own way to play the notes, and it will become easier as you go on with your learning; so do persevere, as sometimes people can too easily be put off maybe by lack of progress, or maybe wanting to do that next tune, before their skill is at the correct level. I recently put a topic on playing concertina [ "approaches to music - free reed concertina"] on my you tube channel, which I have, so that I could let people see how a concertina works, which is presented for people generally who maybe wanted to know what they are like to play. So it takes them through basic features, with demonstration, and a tune, and certain techniques which I have used myself over a couple of decades of playing. Methods of tone production, and so on.. You are welcome to go and watch it.. Just one thing I am noted for, and guard you against doing, is my way of holding concertina [ on my Anglo] where I hold it very loosely in my hands. You will prefer the straps to be used traditionally [ if Anglo concertina]. My own method here, in this video is just my own personal holding method, otherwise I hope you may find it interesting? Link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7cPEDR776k 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Bradford Posted February 13, 2023 Author Share Posted February 13, 2023 Thanks! I'll give that video (and channel) a watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIMON GABRIELOW Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 Just hold those hands [in your concertina] in the traditional way though, in the straps! With thumb outside..! I have been made quite aware of that eccentric way in which I [barely] hold my concertina, but it works for me!😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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