Playing in D on a C/G?

[Cathasach]

Any advice for the best fingering for a D scale on a C/G concertina or is this dependent on the song? I know at least one song in D and maybe a couple slipped in there from the Coover books but I'm trying to be more purposeful about learning in D.

 

Any advice?

[Roger Hare]

If you can get hold of a copy, Mick Bramich's excellent book In-Between Anglo has a section on playing in the key of D (and other keys), and it has a selection of exercises and tunes in the key of D. Posset Press, 2006, ISBN: 0 9537837 1 5. I used it when I first started ~10 years ago - it is extremely good. I looked at more than one printed tutor at the time, and in my opinion, this was the best...

 

It may be difficult to find though? MIck Bramich's web site disappeared a few months ago so the book is no longer available direct. I can see a couple of second-hand copies though.

 

Mick Bramich also published another book: The Irish Concertina Book. This seems to be still available, but I haven't seen it, so I don't know if it contains a section specifically dealing with the key of D.

 

There is also a book by Bruce McCaskey entitled Anglo Concertina Method. It is discussed here. I haven't seen this one myself, but the TOC references a section entitled Playing in Different Keys: Key of D.

 

Disclaimer: I have no connection, financial or otherwise, with the authors/publishers of the books I have mentioned.

Edited February 25 by Roger Hare

[wunks]

8 hours ago, Roger Hare said:

 

 

Mick Bramich also published another book: The Irish Concertina Book. This seems to be still available, but I haven't seen it, so I don't know if it contains a section specifically dealing with the key of D

I have this and it does have a section for the key of D ( and other Keys ).  I'm not an Anglo player so I can't comment on its usefulness.

[Ken_Coles]

On a C/G anglo, there are numerous alternative fingerings for the key of D. You'll hear from proponents of every system; my observation is they all seem to be effective once mastered. Once you choose one fingering, stick to it for a while - you'll know when you are ready to vary it/experiment. Happy playing.

 

Ken

Edited February 25 by Ken_Coles
fix a typo

[Cathasach]

3 hours ago, Ken_Coles said:

On a C/G anglo, there are numerous alternative fingerings for the key of D. You'll hear from proponents of every system; my observation is they all seem to be effective once mastere). Once you choose one fingering, stick to it for a while - you'll know when you are ready to vary it/experiment. Happy playing.

 

Ken

 

This is essentially my plan currently. I'm trying out a few basic songs with different fingering and seeing what works best. It's worked for some of the other, less common keys I've been playing in as well.

[Michael Eskin]

Also depends on if you are playing in the traditional Irish style or harmonic style...

[gcoover]

I suppose trying different variations of scales will at least teach your fingers where the most-used buttons are, but instead of scales I just prefer to learn more tunes. And there are lots of ITM tunes in D! You could try these plus experimenting with adding some occasional drones or harmonies. There are lots of tunes in D with suggested Anglo tablature in 75 Irish Session Tunes for Anglo Concertina and 75 More Irish Session Tunes for Anglo Concertina.

 

Some of it depends on how strong your little pinky finger is, using the left hand #7 (push) versus the left hand #3 (pull) for a low D, but it's good to be able to do both since the rhythm might sound better with one or the other at various times in a particular tune. The pull D chord (3-7-5) is full, but the push D chord (2a-7-4a-10) is a little weak, only an open fifth. A really low D would be really nice but there isn't one on the 30-button.

 

Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne's tutor has 10 or so harmonic-style tunes in D, along with a few other unusual keys.

 

For harmonic style, the key of D is a little tricky on a C/G, especially with Wheatstone/Lachenal accidentals - for example, for the C-C#-D run you have to plan ahead for the C# (push 1a) on the upper right, usually pushing LH 9, RH 1a, LH 10.

 

I hope this helps!

 

Gary

Edited February 25 by gcoover

[Cathasach]

75 Irish Session Tunes for Anglo Concertina is where I'm getting my tunes so far. I'll just keep on with that for now as those have been fairly comfortable. The stretch to 7 isn't bad push or pull and I've been doing 7 4 7. 8 8. 9 3a 1a 10 for the scale. I prefer to stay on the same row whenever possible but on the right it gets harder.

 

As usual the answer seems to be more playing! What a terrible torture...

 

Thank you all, this has been a huge help!

[Kelteglow]

Its nice to have extra buttons I took Mick Bramich 's advice and gI find playing in different key require you to look at ot an extra C# on the pull. Playing in D C/G anglo requires seeking a path that suits the music.PS I hope you are Ok Mick as I have not heard of you lately  .Bob

[Clive Thorne]

My teacher (Mr Kirkpatrick) says that playing in D is great because you have all the principal chords in both directions. Though its a shame that not all anglos have the low D (mine doesn't).

 

EDIT: PS:  Having said that, it is a good idea to take all your fingers off at the reversal anyway, or at least be able to do that if it suits the style of the tune.

Edited March 4 by Clive Thorne