Learning EC keyboard. Scales or noodling.

[Al.]

So I have just bought my first Concertina, a Jack and I am wondering what the best way to aquaint myself with the keyboard is. I can run up and down scales and exercises in the tutor books or I can knock out simple tunes by ear, God save the king, silent night etc.   I was wondering what methods other players used to find their way around. 

[gcoover]

I would highly recommend the Frank Butler EC book - it teaches tunes instead of scales, starting with very basic melodies and working up from there. The EC is pretty difficult to play by ear until you have a basic knowledge and familiarity with the locations of the buttons.

 

Also, if you are looking to play chords, a good starting point is to think of them initially as "triangles" - two notes on the same row plus the third out to the side.

 

Gary

[Al.]

Thanks.  Frank Butlers is, one of the books I am working through.  One tip, I have found is to keep, a guitar tuning app in view on the table, it enables me to see when and where I am going wrong when going through exercises with no "tune" to them. 

[Tiposx]

I have been playing e.c. for a few years, possibly a decade.(edit- 7 years) I have never played a scale intentionally. I just learn tunes from sheet music  then try to memorise them.

I am not claiming that this is good practice, but it's a good way to enjoy the concertina and the music.

Edited June 12 by Tiposx
Checked my records

[Johanna]

The "best way" is the one you stick with.  The more you play the instrument, the more you'll familiarize yourself with it.  If you're enjoying yourself, you'll keep playing (and keep getting better, and start making better music, and enjoy yourself even more...)  But if practicing feels like a chore, you're more likely to do less of it.

 

For me, exercises were boring, and tunes were fun, so I played mostly tunes.  And as you've noticed, tunes have the considerable advantage that you know what they're supposed to sound like, so you know immediately if you've hit a wrong note.  But if you've gotten into a groove with the exercises, then carry on with those.  It will all get you to the same place in the end.

[John Wild]

Playing scales is good practice, but should not be used in isolation. It is good as a short warm up exercise, and it can help you to learn the position of notes in higher or lower octaves.

Edited June 13 by John Wild

[RAc]

scales are useful, but arpeggios are at least as useful. Combine the two and you will be able to play along with 90% of dance tunes.

[Little John]

5 hours ago, RAc said:

scales are useful, but arpeggios are at least as useful. Combine the two and you will be able to play along with 90% of dance tunes.

 

I completely agree with this. It's worth playing a few scales and arpeggios for practice, but if that bores you look for tunes which consist of lots of scales (e.g. Brighton Camp) or arpeggios (e.g. Smash the Windows) to achieve the same goal.

[Isaiah]

As a fellow beginner player (I picked up my Jackie in March), the primary resource I used for learning is the tutor that came with it. I do also spend a lot of time noodling around, either playing by ear or looking at sheet music for various pieces. A mix of practice on direct exercises and playing music that I enjoy has been the best way for me to learn. As far as exercies go, I reached out to Danny Chapman and he recommended practicing scales directly as well as practicing scales in octaves and sixths, which I have found both difficult an rewarding. I think direct exercises can help improve general dexterity on the instrument, and can help develop an intuitive knowledge of note shapes, making it easier to play by ear and pick up new sheet music. In addition, thesession.org was recommended to me by people here as a resource with sheet music to practice, and I also recommend it, as it has an abundance of relatively simple pieces that can be practiced for some variety. Happy squeezing!

[Al.]

Thanks Isaiah,  I use the session as a resource for other instruments quite regularly and also have a variety of tune books to choose from. I have found that finding tunes in different Keys helps learning the keyboard, for example "The Rochdale coconut dance" in Emin is a good work out for me.  I will have a go at playing scales in Octaves and sixths to see how I get on.   Hope you are enjoying your Jackie as much as I am the Jack. 

Edited June 19 by Al.