Those missing notes

[billhenry]

I have a Salterelle Pasturelle 2 bought with the standard notation pattern both on the G and D rows. Ive always missed not having a low C and G note to compliment the low B and A that it all ready has . What would be the normal recommendation when wishing to change one of the notes at the lower end on each row to the low C and low G and what would be a ball park figure say for having this done.

[dogbox]

I remember reading a similar discussion at http://forum.melodeon.net/index.php/topic,1645.0.html

Friendly hint: 'twould be better to have posted your query in the 'General Discussion' section of the forum to get the maximum response.

[Theo]

I always think the low push F# on button 1 of the D row is a bit useless, but tuned up to G its very handy.   You might be able to do without the pull D on button 1 of the G row, change that to C and you have a complete scale of G from the low G. 

But it very much depends on what you play.   The low D pull gives you a D7 chord, which some would see as more important than the low C.  Its all a matter of what compromises you can live with.

Cost is not huge. Low F# reeds can be tuned up a semitone no problem, and low D can usually be taken up to C. 

[Anahata]

I've had both my D/G boxes modified the way Theo suggests:
D Row F# -> G
G row D - > C

The Oakwood was made that way from new, the Saltarelle retuned because I was missing especially the C natural.

[Ellie]

Aha, I knew I'd seen a discussion about this somewhere! It's been suggested that I might want to get my low pull A retuned to a Cnat, and I'd quite like to get this done, but how long would it take (i.e. is it a quick job that Theo or Rees might be able to do at M&M, or is it more serious that that?). Would prefer not to have to post the box off if I don't have to!

[Theo]

Easier to change the low pull D to C,  (button 1 G row) if you also take  the low F# (button 1 D row ). Then you have the low scale of G in a sensible arrangement. Could be done at Mendlesham if you don't need it fir one of thexworkshops.

[Ellie]

That would be brilliant Theo - I'll have a word with some friends and see if someone's got a spare box I can borrow for part of the day. Cheers!

[Anahata]

You won't regret it!
Here's some fabulous tunes you'll be able to play properly when you have those notes:

• Stoney Steps (at least one version)
• Sadlers Wells Hornpipe
• Butchers Hornpipe
• Charming Maid (in G, instead of having to do it in D and go up to stratospheric heights)
• Portobello Hornpipe (the version that goes down there; not all do)
• Savage Hornpipe (needs the C natural, but not the G)

[Theo]

That would be brilliant Theo - I'll have a word with some friends and see if someone's got a spare box I can borrow for part of the day. Cheers!

I'll have something you can borrow if necessary

You won't regret it!
Here's some fabulous tunes you'll be able to play properly when you have those notes:

And a great Paddy Fahey reel that starts on the low G.

[tallship]

I'll have something you can borrow if necessary

Now you can't get better service than that!

[Ellie]

Indeed not! I'm looking forward to playing some nice low grunty tunes now 

[ganderbox]

It's been suggested that I might want to get my low pull A retuned to a Cnat,

That's what I did, because I find the D on the pull is so useful I wouldn't want to lose it.

[Ellie]

What sort of stuff d'you find it useful *for* Pauline? The only time I've ever used mine is to smooth playing in G minor, and that's just 1 tune!

[ganderbox]

There are a few tunes that have runs of notes in them that you really want to be able to play all on the pull, and which include that low D. Ones that come to mind that I play a lot are Vona's Delight, the French tunes called The Marriage marches, and Callipyge.
It all comes down to preference,  but personally I don't think I use my low C as much as that D on the pull. On the other hand, there is only one tune that I ever used the low A on the pull for, and I use the low C much more than that.
As Theo says however, its better to retune by 2 semitones (D down to C) than by 3 (A up to C).