Simple Question

[Jewish Leprechaun]

OK, I have two pretty simple questions, that I don't know the answer to mainly because I taught myself how to play from an instruction book.

1. Is the air key supposed to be played with the thumb or index finger?

2. If I'm going from say an A to Bb both the top buttons on the left side, do I play the A with my index and then swing my middle finer up to play the Bb? Or do I play both notes with my index? If so is it just practice that makes this transition quicker?

-Lep

[Michael Reid]

1. Use your thumb.

 

2. You have other options that would probably be better than the ones you described. Use the middle finger to get the press A in the accidentals row (second button, next to the one with the Bb). Or use the ring finger to get the draw A in the G row (middle button). Decide based on what comes before the A and whether you like the phrasing of playing both notes on the draw.

[Jewish Leprechaun]

Thanks

[David Levine]

We've gone over this issue before, but here it is again: you should do anything you can to avoid chopping. Chopping is when you use the same finger on consecutive buttons. It slows you down and makes playing the concertina much harder than if you can work out - and get comfortable with - an alternate fingering. So to go from A to Bb you would do as Michael Reid suggested: Use the middle finger to get the press A in the accidentals row (second button, next to the one with the Bb) .... and then use your index finger for the Bb.

[CyberSpiff]

JL, David Levine posted an excellent intro to anglo fingerings in this thread which explains the basics. It's worth reading (and re-reading) to help figuring out ways to play various button combinations.

Edited January 2, 2009 by jlfinkels

[Jewish Leprechaun]

Thanks, the article by David cleared up a lot of things. Playing without chopping is so much easier