a study in enharmonic substitution for English (and in sustaining a melody over arpeggios)

[Robby]

I arranged this piano etude by Carl Czerny, its purpose to practice sustaining a melody over arpeggios. For us English concertinists, it also serves as a study in enharmonic substitutions. I arranged it in the original key of Ab major (4 flats), which unlocks many possibilities in enharmonic substitution; the root and fifth can be substituted! I think it is likely easier in Ab than it would be in C or G for this reason.

 

I attached fingered and unfingered versions.

 

Side note: I wonder how all these substitutions would sound on a concertina in meantone temperament.

czerny_740_45.pdfczerny_740_45_fingered(black).pdf

PS: I avoided using the fourth finger unless it was strictly necessary.

Edited December 1 by Robby
recolored written fingerings

[gloscon]

Yes, Ab major certainly opens up alternative fingering opportunities, but of course breaks the left/right pattern when playing the scale.  Very useful to master though.

 

Les Branchett

[SIMON GABRIELOW]

It's so refreshing to see such genuine commitment to the music for concertina, and the care taken to put those ideas down for others to study from. Well done, Robby.🌝

[Matt Heumann]

My brain just exploded!

[Robby]

6 minutes ago, Matt Heumann said:

My brain just exploded!

Good! mine too!

[Little John]

On 12/1/2025 at 9:24 PM, gloscon said:

Yes, Ab major certainly opens up alternative fingering opportunities, but of course breaks the left/right pattern when playing the scale.

 

Breaking the pattern would put me off. Also my English is tuned 1/4 comma mean tone (as they originally were) so it would sound awful. Ab and G# are a long way apart!