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Discussions => Teaching and Learning => Topic started by: stevejay on December 20, 2016, 03:07:39 PM

Title: Air button question
Post by: stevejay on December 20, 2016, 03:07:39 PM
I use the air button a lot.
Is there such a thing as overuse of the button?

I don't even think about it, but I am always correcting with it for airflow.

May need a new spring someday, no big deal right?

Thanks
Title: Re: Air button question
Post by: george garside on December 20, 2016, 03:54:18 PM
in the  many boxes I have played over the past 50+ years I have only ever broke air button the spring on one so its not particularly likely to happen.

I prefer to use the air button 'deliberately' to move the bellows in or out by a predicted amount rather than by constant jabbing to make small adjustments.  I also sometimes  press the air button slightly to 'spilll' some air to smooth out bellows reversals when playing 'on the row'

george
Title: Re: Air button question
Post by: Lester on December 20, 2016, 04:10:02 PM
A number of Baffettis and Saltarelles have turned up in my workshop with broken air buttons due to, in my estimation, a design problem. The actual button is mounted to the bass end plate using a plate of alloy of some sort, when the button is pressed this flexes and after 'n' operations (where n is probably a big number) the alloy snaps through work hardening. I replace the alloy plate with a thick plastic part which should flex for ever.
Title: Re: Air button question
Post by: Mike Carney on December 20, 2016, 04:20:45 PM
I think there's a difference between the issue of using the button a lot and how it is used. When I think back to my early learning, and the gasping for air that accompanied it, there is so much contrast with my instinctive use of the button now, some 6 years later.  But I also suspect I still have further to go, perhaps at a slower rate of change. And as it has become instinctive I couldn't really say whether it feels too much or not. I would have to do a very targeted bit of filming to assess it. In the end I expect the best test is if my playing seems natural to others and gives a good interpretation of the tune for the setting. And the air button use goes unnoticed..
M  :||:
Title: Re: Air button question
Post by: Angienever on December 20, 2016, 04:32:21 PM
My air valve spring just broke today.  So it can definitely happen.
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