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[Clive Williams]

Am in the middle of practicing up me' ol' one row technique; seeing if I can get by using the thumbstr@p only. Just to confirm though... where should that thumbstr@p actually go?

How is it positioned on the keyboard, how far up, and in what direction? (My 1 row came with the str@p in what I considered a very odd direction - maybe 4 o'clock relative to the keyboard (keyboard edge = 3 o'clock), and I've shifted around to 2 o'clock). But which is normal/recommended? Anyone have any photo examples?

[PS: Yes, the p0rn filter is playing up again!  ]

[gettabettabox]

I think I have to be careful what I say here, because I have seen your 'you tube' bits and not sure if you're having a giggle?
so I must mix up my reply in advising...advice based upon the premise of a 'single rivet' strap.
 
you must play all alone (very alone) in a darkened kitchen (always a good one for any musician, unsighted is a great way to learn what works)...the thumb strap will go where it must, it will follow the thumb methinks!...but the other fingers chasing the tune will lead the thumb.
try a slow, (dark, kitchen) tune to start with, but build up the tempo. ...do not get into a frenzy. (counter productive.)
try behind,... try on the edge, try elastic.
if the thumb moves dynamically in/out, the box should move 'accordingly'...if the thumb moves and the box doesn't... more practice or firmer anchorage is required...(elastic?)  - exception is single rivet up/down movement.

[gettabettabox]

but having posted...think you've got a fixed, double rivet strap? not so good.

[Clive Williams]

but having posted...think you've got a fixed, double rivet strap? not so good.

Youtube yes, but always with straps! Strapless is harder for me... but yep, that's right - at the moment, the thumb strap is fixed with 2 screws, so double rivet I guess. I can change the position of the strap by putting some extra holes in the strap, but once it's in place, it's fixed. But, now I look at it, there is also a single rivet (with nothing on it) further back into the keyboard. I've wondered what that was for - perhaps a previous owner took the thumb strap off that, then drilled (shudder) a couple of new holes to fix it into a new position with 2 screws?

[gettabettabox]

I really should not be offering my views to a player like yourself...
but it is my experience that it is advantageous when thumbstraps allow for some up/down movement (but minimal in/out) when playing strapless, facilitated by a well anchored thumb in a single riveted strap.
...but this never occurred to many great players in the past!
thank you for the vids.

[Steve_freereeder]

I built a one-row on the second EATMT week-long courses run by Emmanuel Pariselle. We made quite a substantial thumb strapp for the instrument - a loop of thick (approx 2mm) leather covered with a thinner (approx 0.7 mm) fine leather. The strapp is non-rotating, secured by two screws in the '3-o'clock' position, level with the 5th button down from the chin end. See photos.

The thumb strapp is surprisingly comfortable to use - possibly due to its chunkiness - and with my thumb in place through the loop and braced against the edge of the keyboard, I can readily reach all the buttons.

However, I usually play the instrument with the shoulder strapp only, but occasionally use the thumb strapp as well if I feel it is slipping.

(spelling edited to confuse the blimmin' p0rn filter  )

[Lester]

I play 1 row with just a thumb strap as you may well know. I will try to take some photos today of the most common two methods of using a thumb strap and stick them up.

[rees]

Am in the middle of practicing up me' ol' one row technique; seeing if I can get by using the thumbstr@p only. Just to confirm though... where should that thumbstr@p actually go?

In the bin 

[Graham Spencer]

Am in the middle of practicing up me' ol' one row technique; seeing if I can get by using the thumbstr@p only. Just to confirm though... where should that thumbstr@p actually go?

In the bin 

That was exactly my reaction - glad you said it, though, and not me!   

[tirpous]

In the bin 

So what do you suggest instead ?  Shoulder straps or just "grabbin' the keyboard" ??

[Andrew Wigglesworth]

Am in the middle of practicing up me' ol' one row technique; seeing if I can get by using the thumbstr@p only. Just to confirm though... where should that thumbstr@p actually go?

In the bin 

In a drawer, inside an old sweet tin 

[Nick Collis Bird]

Andrew, you must be psychic! That's exactly where mine are. 

[Mike Hirst]

I have one in an old shoe box and two in a jar on the window ledge.

[dunlustin]

just saying:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB49VnFb65A

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Handmade-Cajun-Master-Accordion/161180263342?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bon-Cajun-Larry-Miller-Accordion-Key-of-C-/221331056731?

[rees]

In the bin 

So what do you suggest instead ?  Shoulder straps or just "grabbin' the keyboard" ??

A single shoulder strap works best for me.

[Nick Collis Bird]

In the bin 

So what do you suggest instead ?  Shoulder straps or just "grabbin' the keyboard" ??

A single shoulder strap works best for me.

Ditto

[Graham Spencer]

In the bin 

So what do you suggest instead ?  Shoulder straps or just "grabbin' the keyboard" ??

A single shoulder strap works best for me.

Ditto

Me too. 

[gettabettabox]

removing and dispensing with the thumb strap into the bin and playing with a shoulder strap is fine, it permits transferring existing skills to a single row, but the bellow dynamics come from left hand work only.
however, playing with just a well anchored thumb strap allows for subtle differences with the dynamics, allowing for some push/draw influence, albeit difficult to master whilst playing the treble side. getting the right "shake" sometimes works easier for me this way.
i play both ways, different feel.

[MartinW]

 If you bin the thumbstrap, or remove it in such a way as to make it difficult to replace, you are just making life difficult for any future player/owner who does happen to play using it. If you don't use it just ignore it unless it is simple to take on and off.
Martin

[rees]

If you bin the thumbstrap, or remove it in such a way as to make it difficult to replace, you are just making life difficult for any future player/owner who does happen to play using it. If you don't use it just ignore it unless it is simple to take on and off.
Martin

I agree. Or take it off and modify the instrument so that it can be replaced easily.
Castagnari always fit a thumb strap but most folks take them off as it's only one screw.