F sharp on B/C Box.

[al hanson]

How can this note (F sharp) be played smoothly in arpeggios such as (D- Fsharp- A) in, for example "Soldier's Joy".
I've struggled with this problem for ages.

[george garside]

How can this note (F sharp) be played smoothly in arpeggios such as (D- Fsharp- A) in, for example "Soldier's Joy".
I've struggled with this problem for ages.

This requires  quite a bit of practice, the key ingredient being to keep the bellows near to shut!  try it with just 2 bellows pleats open, using the wrist rather than the arm to give precise & swift bellows control. Playing with tight bellows is usefull when rapis reversals are required in any tune - playing with well extended bellows results in the bellows trying to go sideways or snake about so losing the quick change between notes.  On a BCC#  DF#A can be played on the pull which is one of the advanatages of the three row, although for soldiers joy I have a slight preference for the sound you get when using  the push F sharp on the B row.

george

[Rees]

Hello Mr. Hanson, welcome aboard.

Sorry, I can't answer your question. What's a B/C box? 

[Skipy]

What's a B/C box? 

Ooh Rees, You Cat!

Seriously though, just to add my amateur opinion, I find it helps if, as George advises, the bellows are kept as closed as is practicable but also that the accordion is kept still, i.e, by using two straps...... (Uh-Oh, Here we go again........ The Two Strap Brigade  ), it just means all my concentration is on playing the correct notes, Not shared with holding the box still.

Skipy

[al hanson]

Thanks to all except Rees on this one. He's an old "mate" of mine so he's excused!
Good advice. The only previous hint I had from someone (in Huddersfield) was to do with use of air button!

  Al

[george garside]

Thanks to all except Rees on this one. He's an old "mate" of mine so he's excused!
Good advice. The only previous hint I had from someone (in Huddersfield) was to do with use of air button!

  Al

for what its worth you shouldn't need to use the air button for soldiers joy in D  (on a BC box) just start with about 3 or 4 inches of bellows and  the ins & outs should more or less balance up.

george

[risto]

Al seems to have got his answer but anyway, getting better reeds and lighter touch makes a big difference.