Fingering On Different Scale Instruments

[CaryK]

I own a C/G and an A/E concertina. The A/E is from Frank Edgley. It is a very nice instrument and much more playable than my C/G, which is a "starter" quality instrument. I usually play the A/E using the finering that I've learned (mostly from Noel Hill's school) for the C/G. Of course, this is easy to do and it works out very nicely. However, I can play most keys in the A/E as well, though the fingering is quite different. Because it is so much more playable than my C/G instrument I'd like to play it in keys other than A/E. If I wish to play in the Key of C, or G, or D, etc in my A/E is it worth it to learn the various scales on it, which would of course be very differnt than learning them on the C/G? Do you other players with multiple instruments in other keys such as G/D, Bb/F, or A/E bother to learn new fingering for each key for each instrument you might own? Is it worth the trouble to do this? Is is confusing to do this as you switch from one instrument to another? Would like to know your experiences and/or advice regarding this. Thanks much.

[Samantha]

I own a C/G and an A/E concertina. The A/E is from Frank Edgley. It is a very nice instrument and much more playable than my C/G, which is a "starter" quality instrument. I usually play the A/E using the fingering that I've learned (mostly from Noel Hill's school) for the C/G. Of course, this is easy to do and it works out very nicely. However, I can play most keys in the A/E as well, though the fingering is quite different. Because it is so much more playable than my C/G instrument I'd like to play it in keys other than A/E. If I wish to play in the Key of C, or G, or D, etc in my A/E is it worth it to learn the various scales on it, which would of course be very different than learning them on the C/G? Do you other players with multiple instruments in other keys such as G/D, Bb/F, or A/E bother to learn new fingering for each key for each instrument you might own? Is it worth the trouble to do this? Is is confusing to do this as you switch from one instrument to another? Would like to know your experiences and/or advice regarding this. Thanks much.

 

I own a C/G, a Bb/F and a (new, my very newest toy) D concertiny (one row anglo from Bob Tedrow). I am currently having a lot of fun playing tunes I know already from my "basic box" the C/G on the other two:

1) playing a familiar tune using familiar fingering on a different instrument giving a different key and consequently a different timbre to the sound

2) playing a familiar tune in a familiar key using different fingering on a different instrument giving different harmonic possibilities

As a result of these experiments I cannot say emphatically enough how worthwhile it is "bothering" to learn new fingerings. Without this experience I would never really have understood the different ways I can play an old favourite - re-exploring a tune you already love in a different way is so rewarding!

It is only briefly that I get confused about which instrument I am playing - at the moment I have occasional trouble with the location of the air button on my C/G after playing the 'tiny (where there is an air button middle centre of the instrument above the row on both sides). Generally speaking, even between both 31 button instruments (the C/G and the Bb/F) there is such a difference in how the instruments feel in my hands that there really is no mistaking "who is who".

But I am having the greatest fun .....

Hope this helps

Samantha

[CaryK]

I own a C/G, a Bb/F and a (new, my very newest toy) D concertiny (one row anglo from Bob Tedrow). I am currently having a lot of fun playing tunes I know already from my "basic box" the C/G on the other two:

1) playing a familiar tune using familiar fingering on a different instrument giving a different key and consequently a different timbre to the sound

2) playing a familiar tune in a familiar key using different fingering on a different instrument giving different harmonic possibilities

As a result of these experiments I cannot say emphatically enough how worthwhile it is "bothering" to learn new fingerings. Without this experience I would never really have understood the different ways I can play an old favourite - re-exploring a tune you already love in a different way is so rewarding!

It is only briefly that I get confused about which instrument I am playing - at the moment I have occasional trouble with the location of the air button on my C/G after playing the 'tiny (where there is an air button middle centre of the instrument above the row on both sides). Generally speaking, even between both 31 button instruments (the C/G and the Bb/F) there is such a difference in how the instruments feel in my hands that there really is no mistaking "who is who".

But I am having the greatest fun .....

Hope this helps

Samantha

This does help, Samantha. I'm glad to hear that experimenting with both ways can be rewarding. My chief concern has been that while trying different fingering on different instruments, I would hinder my becoming proficient in one way, as well as get a little confused at times. My head tells me to stick with one fingering method until it becomes second nature before I go off learning new fingering for the same keys. However, I'm kind of interested in playing in other keys on the Edgley, because it is such an enjoyable instrument to play.

[Samantha]

This does help, Samantha. I'm glad to hear that experimenting with both ways can be rewarding. My chief concern has been that while trying different fingering on different instruments, I would hinder my becoming proficient in one way, as well as get a little confused at times. My head tells me to stick with one fingering method until it becomes second nature before I go off learning new fingering for the same keys. However, I'm kind of interested in playing in other keys on the Edgley, because it is such an enjoyable instrument to play.

 

I am a player who is very interested in exploring and exploiting the alternative fingerings available on an anglo. My attitude is not so much that of "if it's this note it must be this finger on this button with this bellows movement", but more like "if it's this series of notes and the surrounding phrase involves mainly bellows-movement in this direction then it's likely to be either this or that button with that or this bellows movement": therefore exploring all the possibilities is very enriching for my playing style.

I should add that in a session or when I am otherwise trying to get to grips with a tune quickly I'll turn to a more fixed/predictable fingering style initially to get myself up to speed; this is partly why I got the concertiny in D. It is when working up a tune/set to be something more my own that I go out on a limb with the fingering.

Samantha

[Bruce McCaskey]

As an Anglo player, once I have the basics of a tune entrenched in my head I’ll explore it in two or three other keys (and related fingerings) on the instrument and see how it flows and sounds. I find it makes things more interesting, though depending on the tune some keys are far easier than others.

 

My advice is to stay with a single key and instrument tuning until you've learned the tune, but once you have it down I think exploring other keys will expand your abilities and not hinder or adversely impact playing in the original key (though chording can be a bit of a challenge).

 

I have one of Frank’s A/E models as well as one of his C/G’s. I typically play both with the same fingering, and switching between them always refreshes my perspective on tunes. The C/G is built in his standard design while the A/E is made with his newer design for the sounding board/reed pan and the character of their sound is different as well as their pitch.

[Samantha]

As an Anglo player, once I have the basics of a tune entrenched in my head I’ll explore it in two or three other keys (and related fingerings) on the instrument and see how it flows and sounds. I find it makes things more interesting, though depending on the tune some keys are far easier than others.

 

My advice is to stay with a single key and instrument tuning until you've learned the tune, but once you have it down I think exploring other keys will expand your abilities and not hinder or adversely impact playing in the original key (though chording can be a bit of a challenge)...

 

I hadn't really thought about it, but this is, of course, an excellent way of training yourself to play by ear (something I need to to, certainly) as you are "hearing" the tune in your head whilst trying to get it going in a different key ...

Samantha