Harmony And Chords On The Anglo

[Jody Kruskal]

Brian,

 

You said it much better than I could.

 

Bravo Brian and Dan too,

 

I agree, well said. The pull C is a thinner chord with the lowest C being two octaves higher that what is possible with the push. That limitation of the 30 button instrument leads players to compensate in all kinds of interesting ways and is one of the things that gives the harmonic Anglo its sound. Because melodeon style um-pa is not possible, you come up with other sorts of arrangements.

 

Though I learned on a 30 button Bastari, I prefer to play 38 button Anglos these days with a pull C on the thumb button (though it is one octave higher that the lowest push C). That lack of a 30 button low pull C is probably the most important one single reason I like the 38s. I have played several 31 button Anglos that have this additional thumb button. 38 or 31, I’ve only seen them tuned F/C (push pull) though I think Brian’s instrument plays the same C both directions to make it a drone. Right Brian?

 

Jody

[Brian Peters]

I have played several 31 button Anglos that have this additional thumb button. 38 or 31, I’ve only seen them tuned F/C (push pull) though I think Brian’s instrument plays the same C both directions to make it a drone. Right Brian?

 

Yes that's right, Jody. I'd kind of assumed that was the normal arrangement. I've never tinkered with the tunings on my instrument, which still retains all the abnormalities and eccentricities it had when I bought it twenty-five years ago. So in fact I have middle C on the pull on button 6 of the C row, which is the one I use if I want to fill out a pull C chord - I only ever use the thumb button for drones (see my tunes on Henk's page).

 

I also have F on the push on button 6 of the LH G row and - unusually but quite usefully - B flat in both directions on button 2, LH top row. Which perhaps explains why I've always found F a comfortable-ish key to play in.

Brian

[Jody Kruskal]

So, how many buttons does your box have?

[Brian Peters]

So, how many buttons does your box have?

 

39, not including either of the thumb buttons. Each side has two extra buttons below the G row, but I never use them as they are awkward to reach and the notes they produce sound a bit thin. No doubt I could improve it by customising a few of the buttons, but I've got used to it as it is and, like you, I already have a number of fingering patterns more or less hard-wired into my brain/fingers. Playing melodeon and various other instruments as well means I've never concentrated exclusively on the Anglo, so devising the perfect fingering system isn't something I've ever worried too much about.

 

Maybe I can show it you sometime!

Brian

[Jody Kruskal]

Maybe I can show it you sometime!

Brian

 

Brian,

 

I would like that very much, but with no travel plans to Glossop in place, it seems unlikely. Perhaps you will visit NYC soon? Let me know. Or... perhaps I'll get an invitation to tutor at Whitney, where you can show me around and make sure I find a place for lunch.

 

Jody

[Brian Peters]

Perhaps you will visit NYC soon? Let me know. Or... perhaps I'll get an invitation to tutor at Whitney, where you can show me around and make sure I find a place for lunch.

 

Actually I'll be on the East Coast in June for the Mystic Seaport maritime festival and Old Songs festival NY. I have friends in NYC and might well be in the city at some point - possibly playing the Seaport Museum as well.

 

Witney invitations are not in my gift and, while I'm sure you'd do a great job, they'd be unlikely to employ both of us to teach chorded Anglo style for the same weekend. I'm hoping to be at the Button Box workshop weekend in April 2007, though. Is there a cosy local pub just down the road?

Brian