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Concertina Vs. Button Accordion


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Friendly rivalry aside, I've found there is nothing in the trad world that can hurt your eardrums more than a strident anglo.

I beg to differ. Saxophone beats even Martin Nail's Jeffries hollow. Not a folk instrument, you say? Tell that to the saxophonists who play at Sidmouth in the Radway :o

 

Chris

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as a new member and a piano accordion player I feel a little out of my depth to add anything, but here goes. I tried the push pull system and failed, so I have just got an english concertina (cheap but a good trainer) and find that I can produce some kind of a tune even after a short time. So I have to vote on the side of the concertina. Even if its english.

 

Good to find someone else who struggled with the concept of push and pull systems. Last year I decided to start playing a musical instrucment and stumbled on the Concertina. As I touch type, pushing buttons without looking made perfect sense to me. After much deliberation decided upon the English concertina. After 2 weeks I knew that this was for me and even though I am very much a novice (hadn't even read a note of music before last year) I really enjoy playing - the perfect end to a busy stressful day. The concertina is a wonderful portable instrument. However, its horses for courses and I must admit I do listen to some melodian players with a touch of envy. This is also my first posting as generally I feel a lot out of my depth when reading some things written here. Also does not help that it seems to me that more Anglo players post stuff than English.

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Also does not help that it seems to me that more Anglo players post stuff than English.

Anglo players talk too much, that's all. Sorry, collectively. The most talkative mamber of this forum plays anglo (and duet), but his first and main instrument remains English. Post lots yourself and help even the balance.

 

Chris

 

Edited to add PS: I should have said welcome to the forum as well, so Welcome to the forum :)

Edited by Chris Timson
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Norteno/Tex Mex Conjunto

Honer Corona III, The Gabinelli 3 rows and CBA and Piano Accordion

For Forro , CHoro and MPB.. Piano Accordion.. However I have seen CBA and 2 1/2 row used ( Raoul Barbosa)

 

For Gaucho.. this is specialiazed ( and forgive my failing memory) there is a very special Hybrid instrument known as a Punta Gaita or something close ( I may have to check that again) that is a 2 1/2 row with a modified short stradella bass system There is a player famous for this style Re(a)nato(e) Borghetti ?????

I'll check my sources and get back.. This instrument used to be made in Argentina by a couple of companies but now I believe there are but one or two Italian companies making them, rare but cool. This is very fast music..punctuated by lots of double notes and triplets, fast runs etc

 

Seems like the universal instrument here would be the CBA or a 2 1/2 row

 

 

Jeff

Edited by Jeff H
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For playing with others, or playing along with the radio, I prefer my English concertinas. I can play them in more keys than my D/G melodeon, the sound blends better with most jazz instruments, and I have no need to provide my own bass accompaniment. For playing alone I prefer the melodeon. The multiple reeds produce a "bigger" sound and I can play a bass accompaniment, which I've given up being able to do on the EC. And for what it's worth, there are times and places that I prefer my mandolins and/or recorders to any of my free reed instruments.

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  • 2 weeks later...
Norteno/Tex Mex Conjunto

Honer Corona III, The Gabinelli 3 rows and CBA and Piano Accordion

For Forro , CHoro and MPB.. Piano Accordion.. However I have seen CBA and 2 1/2 row used ( Raoul Barbosa)

 

For Gaucho.. this is specialiazed ( and forgive my failing memory) there is a very special Hybrid instrument known as a Punta Gaita or something close ( I may have to check that again) that is a 2 1/2 row with a modified short stradella bass system There is a player famous for this style Re(a)nato(e) Borghetti ?????

I'll check my sources and get back.. This instrument used to be made in Argentina by a couple of companies but now I believe there are but one or two Italian companies making them, rare but cool. This is very fast music..punctuated by lots of double notes and triplets, fast runs etc

 

Seems like the universal instrument here would be the CBA or a 2 1/2 row

 

 

Jeff

 

Great info here. I'm in the midst of some excellent sources of information. Thanks!!

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I play Hayden Duet Concertina, piano accordion, and various diatonic button systems (3-row, Club System, Garmoshka).

 

The reasons for the different button systems on accordion I've already discussed in the web article Why Button Accordion?.

 

Concertina vs. Accordion: Concertina is lighter, more supple, more bellows flexibility, and has a thinner sound that fits in a combo playing sophisticated arrangements better than accordion does. Accordion is punchier, meatier, bassier, and since it doesn't have the bellows suppleness and flexibility of concertina it doesn't matter so much when you add reeds per note.

 

My choice is like the fellow above, "Learn both."

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