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Author Topic: A REALLY basic question...sorry  (Read 2569 times)

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Myrrh Music

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A REALLY basic question...sorry
« on: May 13, 2012, 05:20:26 PM »

I have been learning D/G for about a year, but have decided I really like the G/C sound maybe more..If I were to buy a G/C, is the tablature different - would I have to re-learn everything?  Told you it was basic.

Mary
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Bobtheboat

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Re: A REALLY basic question...sorry
« Reply #1 on: May 13, 2012, 07:41:50 PM »

Hi Mary,
I did exactly the same and love playing G/C. I bought the Milleret & Pignol tutor books and started from page 1. Like you I'd been playing D/G for around a year and found the transition easy with lots of tunes playable that I'd learned previously, just in a different place on the keyboard! The skills you've already learned are transferable. I play from the dots so not sure about the tab'.
Good luck on your journey, I'm sure you'll enjoy it! All the best, Bob.
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Larry Stout

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Re: A REALLY basic question...sorry
« Reply #2 on: May 13, 2012, 08:19:24 PM »

I think that if you play from tab written for a D/G on a G/C you'll end up transposing your tunes up a fourth.  I play an A/D so I'd have similar issues, just the other direction.  I don't play from tab; I do sight read from standard music notation.  Playing in G involves using my accidentals key and ignoring most of the left hand because the C chord isn't there.  I use EasyABC to transpose tunes to keys friendly to my instrument.  Since I'm playing alone for my own amusement it's OK to play in B minor, F# minor, A, and D.  Tunes in G and Em sometimes work.
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Daddy Long Les

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Re: A REALLY basic question...sorry
« Reply #3 on: May 13, 2012, 08:44:29 PM »

Hi Mary

As you may know, I very soon bought a GC soon after starting on the DG. As long as you learn your pieces off by heart there shouldn't be any problem changing. If you play any accidentals on the chin end the only problems might come if these aren't tuned relatively the same as on the DG.  I  very often try out pieces  on my GC that I originally learnt on my DG and vice versa.  I use an excellent program called Sibelius on my Mac which can transpose music really easily.  This comes in handy as you can imagine.

Hope this helps.

Les
« Last Edit: May 14, 2012, 07:12:08 AM by Daddy Long Les »
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Ebor_fiddler

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Re: A REALLY basic question...sorry
« Reply #4 on: May 14, 2012, 12:08:50 AM »

Sibelius is VERY expensive though.  :'(
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Ollie

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Re: A REALLY basic question...sorry
« Reply #5 on: May 14, 2012, 12:13:31 AM »

It depends what you mean...

If you want to play the same tunes in the same keys on a GC as on a DG, then yes, you will have to re-learn fingerings.

However, if you just want to play the same tunes and don't care about the key, then you can use the same fingering as on a DG. This means the tunes will come out a fifth lower than on your GC, but you will still be able to play the tunes. :)

Hope that helps.
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AirTime

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Re: A REALLY basic question...sorry
« Reply #6 on: May 14, 2012, 03:23:46 AM »

Quote
I did exactly the same and love playing G/C. I bought the Milleret & Pignol tutor books and started from page 1. Like you I'd been playing D/G for around a year and found the transition easy with lots of tunes playable that I'd learned previously, just in a different place on the keyboard!

Quote
if you just want to play the same tunes and don't care about the key, then you can use the same fingering as on a DG. This means the tunes will come out a fifth lower than on your GC, but you will still be able to play the tunes.

Two different approaches to the instrument. If, like me, you're playing by ear (& from memory), Ollie's exactly right. Just press the same buttons & you'll play the same tune, but in a different key.  In principle, it would seem a bit pointless to play in the same key but in a different place on the keyboard - you may as well just stick with the DG.

In general, it seems that the tunes from a given region sound best played in the accordion keys typical of that region - rather like pairing regional food & wines/beers.  :|glug

(The exception is the EbBb box - everything sounds better on an EbBb box!  :||:)
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Daddy Long Les

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Re: A REALLY basic question...sorry
« Reply #7 on: May 14, 2012, 06:37:37 AM »

Sibelius is VERY expensive though.  :'(

Not the one I use. It's Sibelius First and cost me about £60. It does everything I want from guitar tab to melodeon and beyond.  Recommended!
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Chris Ryall

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Re: A REALLY basic question...sorry
« Reply #8 on: May 14, 2012, 07:07:48 AM »

Many of the tunes I'd learned up on the D/G are in G.  I have to say that in session terms, though carrying in a G/C box, they are still in G  ;) That means you'll need to refinger them to play on the outer row. It's do-able. It's fun.  It is a new and useful skill. I'd recommend that you take that little journey.

You'll find the dynamics change. Some tune fragments become awkward - so change the odd note! (No one will notice). Some embellishments and decorations become easier - explore that.  The chord set available has changed and that affects your way of play too.

You'll find you are playing more in push.  You'll find you cross to inner row whenever the chord path wants a 4th chord (C) or 2nd (Em) - these are essentially pull on a D/G but that has changed - get used to it.

You end up with a more flexible way of playing, and can transfer that back to D music on your old D/G.  I have to warn that playing in D on a G/C has it's problems, the C note comes as Cnat (flat 7) rather than C#  ::)  perfect for hillbilly, cowboy and blues stuff, but can be an avoid note in session tunes.

So be encouraged. The real beauty of the G/C box lies its deep Am voice. And that's a whole new sea to swim in  :P
« Last Edit: May 14, 2012, 07:09:39 AM by Chris Ryall »
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Anahata

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Re: A REALLY basic question...sorry
« Reply #9 on: May 14, 2012, 08:16:53 AM »

A big difference between D/G and G/C melodeons is that you find yourself using the upper octave of the scale more.
A tune that you played in G on the lower octave of the inner row of the D/G, you now play in G (if you want to stay in the same key and pitch) on the higher octave of the G/C. The scale of a G/C box typically extends further than a D/G by one button at the high notes end in recognition of this, and at the low notes end, fourth button start is unheard of, because those extra low notes would be very low.

As for tablature, I think everyone else has said it. If you read D/G tab, everything will come out four notes lower than the written pitch, and that's a shortcoming of tablature in general - it's tied to a particular instrument in one key. But you can get tab for a G/C box.
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Myrrh Music

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Re: A REALLY basic question...sorry
« Reply #10 on: May 14, 2012, 08:49:55 AM »

Thank you all so much for sparing the time.  I'll read through your replies in more depth and consider my options -might be holidaying in Brittany this September, might find myself around Bernard Loffet's neck of the woods, sort of accidentally on purpose. My map reading skills have always been bad.

Thanks again.

Mary



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OldJack

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Re: A REALLY basic question...sorry
« Reply #11 on: May 16, 2012, 06:50:01 AM »

Sibelius is VERY expensive though.  :'(

You might take a look at Melody Assistant. It transposes very quickly and easily. Also, reads ABC, midi, and a bunch of other stuff. It's in the neighborhood of $20 US. If you are interested in lyrics the program has a "virtual singer" which can be bizarre but still fun.  (:)
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