The Cameronian reel - B/C and C#/D fingering compared

A brief look at some of the differences between C#/D and B/C styles using a common tune as an example. People frequently point out that, in the key of D at least, C#/D playing requires more bellows changes. Quite correct - in general. What they don't point out is that B/C requires using a lot more buttons, hence more hand and finger movement, and more complicated fingering strategies.

Two sides of the same fascinating, marvellous and maddening instrument - the "halfstep" or semitone-apart two-row diatonic button accordion.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Irish
• button
• accordion
• B/C
• C#/D

[minoune86]

Hi

Is learning to do cuts on the accordion a big job ? I would like that very much.

[ZiziAllaire]

@minoune86 I'm never quite sure what people mean by a "cut" on the accordion. I assume you mean single grace notes (using a higher note) in Irish tunes?

[PipersGrip]

@ZiziAllaire Yes, cuts and taps are grace notes.

[ZiziAllaire]

@PipersGrip Thanks, but I was asking minoune86 what he meant. I am well aware of what cuts are in the piping and fluting world, but I have heard the term used to describe quite different operations on the box, hence my question. Cheers, Steve

[brendantheprettygood]

Yeah great! I just bought a B/C box.  Its in route to me now. Glad to hear its more of a pain in the ass. I have switched to the B/C after a few years on the Piano accordion and now a bit on the B system button accordion. I am very excited to give it a go on the B/C box. If It doesn't work out I amo going t overhaul the reeds and sell it for 3X what I paid so no harm done.