Melodeon.net Forums
Discussions => Instrument Makes and Models => Topic started by: drjack on April 28, 2009, 01:21:24 AM
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Hi
Are there any advantages or significant disadvantages to an A/D box compared to a D/G? I was looking for a D/G but have come across an A/D at quite a reasonable price
Thanks
Jack
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Jack, I suppose the question is what do you want to play on it? & Who with? etc.Also, what are the low notes/accidentals it comes with etc. ?
Ah, so many questions at 7:45 AM! I'm off to work ;D
AL
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Jack, I suppose the question is what do you want to play on it? & Who with?
A/D boxes are very low-pitched, being just one tone up from a G/C, which is the lowest. They are used by a lot of continental players as an alternative to G/C, partly because some people prefer the slightly higher pitch, and are generally played in the upper octave. I don't know if they have any more specific uses.
Obviously you can play them down the bottom as well, and if you want to play a lot in A they are very useful. I have an A/D Erica which I bought very cheap on Ebay just for that purpose.
Most players in this country play a lot in G, though, which is possible but not straightforward on an A/D (it's like playing in C on a D/G). If you want to play in sessions and play the usual repertoire of British tunes then you really need a D/G as a first priority. I think A/Ds are a lovely pitch, though, and if it's a nice box and cheap enough you would probably enjoy playing it, but you'd probably end up getting a D/G as well....and hence taking the first step on the slippery slope to MADness!
Pauline
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Pauline and Al
I appreciate the answers. I know almost nothing about melodeons that have more than 1 row and the more I learn the more complicated it becomes. I should find out what the accidentals and/or low notes are on this particular box. By the way I already suffer from Stringed Instrument Acquisition Disease so a few melodeons would fit right in
Jack
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Pauline and Al
I appreciate the answers. I know almost nothing about melodeons that have more than 1 row and the more I learn the more complicated it becomes. I should find out what the accidentals and/or low notes are on this particular box. By the way I already suffer from Stringed Instrument Acquisition Disease so a few melodeons would fit right in
Jack
If that is the case then I would recommend getting a D/G to start with.
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The folks up in Newfoundland use them a lot, and crack out some splendid sounding Irish/Franco-American/Acadian jigs and reels. There's a chap called August Majcan, one of a host of fine Newfoundland players, who made a record called "A Breath Of Newfoundland" a few years ago, which is pretty impressive. The musicians in that part of the world seem to favor a walking bass and a drum machine with just about everything they play, which gives it a unique sound.
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Matt B.
thanks for mentioning this fella August Majcan
His talent is amazing i seen some videos in Youtube it is definetely something i'm looking forward to learn.
posting a sample here for the curious:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1Iz8kdj6zU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1Iz8kdj6zU)
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Matt B.
thanks for mentioning this fella August Majcan
His talent is amazing i seen some videos in Youtube it is definetely something i'm looking forward to learn.
posting a sample here for the curious:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1Iz8kdj6zU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1Iz8kdj6zU)
Thought I recognized a Newfie tune!
Stephen
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Thank you ;) I'm going MAD lol
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I have one, an A/D Erica, nicely done up by Theo. Great for tunes in D, particularly ones with a VI minor chord (i.e. Bm)
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My lovely A/D pressed wood
Sir John
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Handy for playing B minor tunes.
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Matt B.
thanks for mentioning this fella August Majcan
His talent is amazing i seen some videos in Youtube it is definetely something i'm looking forward to learn.
posting a sample here for the curious:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1Iz8kdj6zU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1Iz8kdj6zU)
Minnie White (from Newfoundland) made a lovely record on A/D Hohner, called 'The Hills of Home'.
Cheers
Steve
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If you want to play in G you have to find C natural somewhere, maybe in an accidental.
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MADness struck home this weekend ended up winning a bid on a Hohner Corona ii (ADG) for what I would call undisclosed price for it was affordable for lack of words...
Thanks for the contribution to the AD and DG Madness here >:E