Would someone explain briefly the most common tunings on button melodeons and what types of music is prefered with each tuning ? From almost flat Cajun to dripping wet. I see references to flat, demi swing, swing, musette, etc.
Thank You, Don
Just came accross this page…
Hey thanks Mr Nate, this is the info I was looking for. I have rented a C#/D box that was described as tuned moderatly wet but had just been retuned more dry. I figure this a good way to try out a double row just better understand the system as compared to my Cajun boxes.
Its interesting that the Irish tuning is not necessarily dry according to the chart.
I am surprized that you were able to rent a C#D or any button accordion for that matter.
Don wrote “Its interesting that the Irish tuning is not necessarily dry according to the chart.”
With my limited experience it seems that older accordions and older players use more tremelo in their tuning. It might have been what was available at the time. I would like to hear what “demi swing” sounds like.
Also, with my limited experience it seems that the trend is to go dry to demi swing. Micheal at Dancemaster says that demi swing has a sound that cuts through a little more and dry tuning has a tendancy to blend better with other instruments. He said it also depends on the type of reeds that you use.
I have a Castignary Lilly with one reed per note and that is as dry as you can get. It is fairly bright and punchy even though there is only one reed. The sound I like with two reeds is that hum or sizzle that the two reeds make when they vibrate together.
I think Chinese accordions are tuned wetter to cover up the sound of the low quality reeds they use. Only an asumption of course.
Nate