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Silvio 64
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1#
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Rank:none
Posts:16
Registered:04/03/2006
Time spent: 0 hours
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(Date Posted:28/04/2007 20:16:09)
Hi folks!
Well... I have a question: what is you position preferred for the two row melodeon? On left knee with a single strap? With two straps?
I play C#D (ehmm... I try to play...  ) but I confused: if I use a single strap and rest the melodeon on the left knee is a good position for me, but if I use a double straps the position is changed but I can't control easy the bellows.
Any suggestion?
P.S. I hope you can understand me... I know... my english is terrible! 
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georgegarside
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2#
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Registered:19/06/2006
Time spent: 0 hours
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(Date Posted:29/04/2007 00:27:20)
Reply to : Silvio 64
Hi folks!Well... I have a question: what is you position preferred for the two row melodeon? On left knee with a single strap? With two straps?I play C#D (ehmm... I try to play...) but I confused: if I use a single strap and rest the melodeon on the left knee is a good position for me, but if I use a double straps the position is changed but I can't control easy the bellows.Any suggestion?P.S. I hope you can understand me... I know... my english is terrible!
Hi Silvio
this subject has been talked about a few times before on melodeon .net but can be summed up as follows.
- there is no single best or correct way of using straps
- traditional sitting position is using thumb strap only
- variation of this is one long strap resting melodeon on left knee as you are doing
- Many people feel (myself included) that two straps are essential for playing standing and can be used equally well when seated. (two straps seave the hand free to slide up & down the keyboard & leve the fingers more free to move about.
- Somebody has just suggested using a strap round the wrist instead of the thumb strap which is presumably not unlike the straps on an anglo concertina in concept.
- whatever arrangent you use the only function of the straps is to locate the instrument securely whilst leaving you free to reach ALL the buttons as easily as possible.
george
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Theo Gibb
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3#
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Rank:none
Posts:758
From: Great_britain 
Registered:30/06/2004
Time spent: 4850 hours
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(Date Posted:29/04/2007 00:39:12)
Reply to : Silvio 64
Hi folks!Well... I have a question: what is you position preferred for the two row melodeon? On left knee with a single strap? With two straps?I play C#D (ehmm... I try to play...) but I confused: if I use a single strap and rest the melodeon on the left knee is a good position for me, but if I use a double straps the position is changed but I can't control easy the bellows.Any suggestion?P.S. I hope you can understand me... I know... my english is terrible!
Hi Silvio
If you use double straps they must be quite short so the instrument sits against your chest. By holding your shoulders back you can keep some tension in the straps and make the instrument more stable.
But if you are happy with a single strap why change?
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Mike Gott
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4#
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Rank:none
Posts:264
Registered:05/06/2005
Time spent: 0 hours
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(Date Posted:29/04/2007 14:40:28)
As long as you feel comfortable with the instrument and you're not contorting your wrist - which can lead to problems later - go with whatever you're happy with. I play my 1-rows on thumb strap only but have just started using two instead on one strap on my two-row (which I usually play stood up for morris) as I was getting conscious of playing with my wrist at a bad angle, particularly when using the outside row. Having a "free" right hand is taking a bit of getting used to but I feel that it's ultimately going to be better for me.
(Theo take note - two straps with the Erika now, please!)
Mike
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Old Leaky
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5#
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Rank:none
Posts:65
Registered:09/02/2006
Time spent: 0 hours
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(Date Posted:04/05/2007 00:38:42)
Reply to : georgegarside- traditional sitting position is using thumb strap only
Er, what's a thumb strap...?
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Lester Bailey
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6#
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Rank:none
Posts:344
Registered:27/06/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
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(Date Posted:04/05/2007 12:26:18)
Reply to : Old Leaky
Er, what's a thumb strap...?
It's what English concertinas have and Anglo concertinas don't have 
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3rowplayer
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7#
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Registered:04/06/2006
Time spent: 0 hours
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(Date Posted:10/05/2007 01:13:05)
Reply to : Lester Bailey
It's what English concertinas have and Anglo concertinas don't have
Just to keep the thread alive. Referring to The Massif Central tune book no 1 compiled by Mel Stevens pub Dragonfly Music 1987. Above tune no 66 there is an illustration - 554 Jouer d'Accordeon
This man is playing a two row melodeon, apparently upside down - or maybe the photo is printed backwards - and now we come to the point - his instrument is supported by a one inch (lets say 15mm) rope fixed at the treble end, taken over his shoulder and trapped under his right foot - or it could be his left.
Anyone into bondage?
DaveW
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pitleyfalley
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8#
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Registered:09/09/2003
Time spent: 0 hours
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(Date Posted:18/05/2007 21:37:51)
Different!
Ive never managed to get used to playing with two straps, although I normally play standing up as I find it awkward playing sitting down. That said ive extended the one strap so the melodeon is almost at waist level, i tend to find when playing out I can exert more force on the box and control it better, the down side to this is i find it hard to control the box if I mess up with the air valve and the bellows go out too far, its then had to controlably get the box back under control.
With two straps I found my arms were in an awkward position, although it was useful being able to as has been said already, have the hands more or less free to move over the buttons.
Chris
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Howard Jones
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9#
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Rank:none
Posts:16
Registered:27/01/2006
Time spent: 0 hours
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(Date Posted:30/06/2007 15:30:53)
I prefer to play sitting down, with one strap, but when performing I feel it's better to stand up as much as possible, so I then use two straps. However, unlike Theo's recommendation below, I don't like having the straps too short - I don't find it makes the intrument any more stable, I feel trussed-up, and my hand is then in the wrong position.
I have the straps sufficiently long to allow me to angle the instrument away from my body. What I find does help is to join the two straps together a couple of inches away from where they attach to the top of the instrument. I use a velcro cable-tie for this. This seems to make the box more stable than if both straps run independently.
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A Nonny Mouse Esq
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10#
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Rank:none
Posts:122
Registered:26/09/2005
Time spent: 0 hours
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(Date Posted:30/06/2007 19:23:52)
Aw, come on guys and girls.
Only one possible place.
In front of the crotch, keyboard facing down, like a guitar rock star.
Squeak! (The noise made when certain parts get squashed.)
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Martin Milner
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11#
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Rank:none
Posts:205
Registered:17/08/2005
Time spent: 0 hours
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(Date Posted:01/08/2007 17:44:11)
Reply to : Old Leaky
Reply to : georgegarside- traditional sitting position is using thumb strap onlyEr, what's a thumb strap...?
A small strap fixed behind the keyboard end, about half way up, to got round your thumb.
Some people remove them. I use mine, as well as two straps, but then I don't play up at the squeaky end.
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wgwy
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12#
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Rank:none
Posts:176
Registered:01/03/2005
Time spent: 0 hours
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(Date Posted:01/08/2007 18:34:23)
Reply to : Martin Milner
Reply to : Old Leaky Er, what's a thumb strap...? A small strap fixed behind the keyboard end, about half way up, to got round your thumb.Some people remove them. I use mine, as well as two straps, but then I don't play up at the squeaky end.
I rather think "Old Leaky" was taking the proverbial back then . . .
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Txbear
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13#
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Rank:none
Posts:85
Registered:23/05/2007
Time spent: 0 hours
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(Date Posted:01/08/2007 19:57:05)
I play with a single shoulder strap and a thumb strap, the accordion resting on my left leg. That pulls the shoulder strap tight and stabilizes the right side of the accordion.
If you don't use a shoulder strap, you have to play sitting down, in which case I think resting the accordion on the right leg seems to work better.
I often don't use the thumb strap when sitting down (my Paolo Soprani doesn't have one anyway), without a thumb strap, you absolutely need at least a single a shoulder strap and in my case, the accordion is back on the left leg.
A thumb strap seems to help when playing standing up, though I seem to do fine with the Paolo Soprani because of the nice concave outside edge on the keyboard. If you use a thumb strap, make sure it is not too loose. Regardless of the method you use, you need to have your thumb solidly pressed against the outer edge of the keyboard, about 1/4 down and not against the back side.
Double shoulder straps will work standing or sitting and don't require a thumb strap at all. That may seem simplest of all and I've been thinking about getting a set for my Paolo, but when it comes right down to it, I just don't like double straps on a small melodeon. To me they make sense only on a full size accordion. You are trying to play something that weighs close to 20 pounds. A thumb strap would be completely wrong, wouldn't work at all.
Bottom line, do what works for you.
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