Melodeon.net Forums
Discussions => Teaching and Learning => Topic started by: MelonBox on September 14, 2015, 09:36:20 AM
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Hello hivemind!
I have a young student who has been in my teachership for about 4 months now. He plays a Hohner 1040 in G and up until now we've been learning different tunes and time signatures in G. This could carry on, gradually increasing the complexity of the tune but I feel like we can get more out of his 10 buttons! I'd like to get him exploring the different possibilities. I thought about starting in D, but I wonder what else there is?
Using Lester's trusty keyboard layout, I can see its just about possible to get two octaves of a D scale out of the instrument, with missing the low E and missing out the C natural too.
http://forum.melodeon.net/files/site/keyboards/1%20Row%204%20Bass%20-%20G.jpg
Couple of things: a) I'll start with scales - missing out the low E is OK but if you play the C natural, is that a modal scale? If so which? b) any suggestions of tunes which fit this scale? c) what other keys can we get away with? I guess A is possible, but with a C# or G# that's quite a lot of substituting/missing out.
How about minors?
Thanks to all in advance for taking the time to post some suggestions! Much appreciated!
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Both the Walter Bulwer tunes (1 & 2) are doable on 1 row, I learned them both at a Liam Robinson workshop. I fact if you contact him he knows enough to run a day long 'Other keys on a 1 row' course.
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Boys of Bluehill is perfect for this - all the notes are there.
Also Stitches in the Britches.
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I agree with Lester about contacting Liam Robinson for advice - he is a whizz at different keys on a one-row, especially sorting out believable compromises to compensate for any missing notes. (:)
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Thanks chaps. Liam is my next point of contact! I could probably learn quite a lot from him anyway!
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On a one-row in G you can play tunes in D mixolydian. This is like an ordinary major scale with no leading tone, which is to say that the seventh degree of the scale is flat--in this case, C natural instead of C#.
In the Irish repertoire (with which I'm most familiar) there are lots of common tunes in D mix. Here are a few:
Hardiman the Fiddler
Banish Misfortune
The Red-Haired Boy (a.k.a. The Jolly Beggarman)
Down the Back Lane
Old Hag You Have Killed Me
The Humours of Ballyloughlin
The Famous Ballymote
The Gooseberry Bush
Any of these should work.
Bob Michel
Near Philly
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this is when it becomes apparent that button 1 on the pull would be more useful if tuned up a tone, not essential but it does facilitate.
A minor/ dorian tunes often sit well on the G row.
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Pentatonic tunes are playable in C, G and D, e. g.: Egan's polka, Cock of the North
Theme Vannetais sounds nice in A dorian.
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On a one-row in G you can play tunes in D mixolydian.
Practical demonstration (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH_TccShV-0) (actually this is in Gmix played on a C box but the principle is the same)
I like causing confusion by picking up my C box in a session when people are playing a tune in G >:E
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Thanks for the advice. Particularly from you Bob Michel! I decided I'd introduce 9/8 to the lad and get him started on Drops of Brandy. A good challenge and one which he enjoyed.