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Voices?

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John Tate:
Apologies if this is a stupid question - but what actually is a 'voice' on a melodeon?

OK; I know my Tommy has a 'third voice', controlled by the stop - but what are the other two? I originally thought it might be one bass, plus one treble, plus the stop on the treble makes three - but looking around, I find various references that seem to ruin that logic.

I'm sure it's a simple answer; but...

Thanks,

John

Theo:
Hi John

Yes it is a simple answer.  The number of treble voices equals the number of reeds that sound for one note. 

But once you look at the possible permuatations things get a bit more complicated.  So for example:

Single voice has only one reeds for each note and can never have a choice of sounds.

Two voice instruments have two reeds for each note.  Often they don't have any choice of sound either, but in theory they could have a stop or switch to choose between a single reed sound and a two reed sound.

Three voice instrument have three reeds per note, and have a larger range of possible sounds, especially since the most common three voice instruments have one reed an octave lower than the others.

In the melodeon world we don't usually talk about the number of voices in the left hand.

You will also see references to the number of stops, switches or couplers.  This can be greater or less than the number of voices.

John Tate:

--- Quote from: theo on November 18, 2007, 06:22:19 PM ---
Yes it is a simple answer.  The number of treble voices equals the number of reeds that sound for one note. 


--- End quote ---

Indeed, simple; once you know it!

Many thanks Leo - that one's been puzzling me for ages.

John

Theo:

--- Quote from: John Tate on November 18, 2007, 06:29:24 PM ---Many thanks Leo

--- End quote ---

Mmm I've been mistaken for a Leo in speech before, but never in print :o

Theo

John Tate:

--- Quote from: theo on November 18, 2007, 09:15:24 PM ---
--- Quote from: John Tate on November 18, 2007, 06:29:24 PM ---Many thanks Leo

--- End quote ---

Mmm I've been mistaken for a Leo in speech before, but never in print :o


--- End quote ---

Oops - sincerest apologies Theo.

Not sure how that one happened - mixing work with play again - and not paying proper attention.

John
(retiring red-faced...)

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