[Harp-L] Playing Chromatics in all keys and the Paddy O'Brien

["Mox GOWLAND" <mox.g@xxxxxxxxx>]

Making Irish music 
Prior to the arrival of Paddy O'Brien accordionists used the technique of melodeon, like Joe Derrane, who did not allow the execution of legato and staccato rolls or "triplets" (semiquavers diatonic or chromaticity) as violinists.  Most of the decoration was made up of "grace notes" using the button adjacent to the one that produced the note when they wanted ornamentation.  With a "grace note" accordionists got a "cut" for ornamenting two crotchets, and closer to the "rolls" on the action of three identical crotchets used the same principle. . The only variation being the location of the "grace note", sometimes between the first two notes, sometimes between the last two depending on the musicians.  In Irish music the trend is to play legato, the same way as the pipers, flautists, violinists on long bow strokes as in dance music. Up until then, that was the limit of the "push -pull" style of playing.

Seeking new fingerings 

 It was not until the 50's and the genius of Paddy O'Brien (1922-1991) to give its letters of nobility to it. Already noticed on the radio at the tender age of 14 (1936), the accordionist of Newtown, near Nenagh in County Tipperary, entered history through his immoderate love of Irish traditional music, and his willingness to want to do at any price change a melody to suit his instrument.

 Paddy interest in music began at 7 years old, following the example of his father Dinny on violin and it was only natural that 3 years later he took to the accordion B / C (C inner row, row outer B) which allowed him to play, scale of  D major, in a single stroke of bellows as if on one bow stoke on the same violin string. 

 Gradually, therefore, inspired by the music he heard on the violin, he developed fingering which allowed him to play in all major and minor keys.  And execute the full panoply of ornamentation available in Irish music, such as: 
- "Cut" (ornament between two crotchets) 
- "Triplets" (semiquavers) up and down 
- "Slides" (small glissando) 
- "Double stops" (parallel  fifths played simultaneously) 
- And especially the "rolls", staccato (retained and released) or legato (extended and detached) and that for `short '(with a value one quarter) or` long' (for the value a dotted quarter and executed 5 notes), an ornament among several crotchets, therefore particularly identical to the Irish music. 
 For that Paddy O'Brien developed his technique around the middle finger, using this as a pivot point of the melody, thus freeing the index and ring fingers to be able to move on the keyboard by crossing and execute the famous "rolls" or "triplets". The great advantage of this technology in the phrasing is, apart from the evidence of the importance of ornamentation more complete, more flexibility.          The "cross" can move on from the keyboard fingers at the front and behind, without causing an interruption in the sound. 
 The "bridge" on the other hand is to disguise the fingers above or below, which physiologically involves releasing a button before you can attack another. 

(Translated from the French ) 

      Paddy O'Brien devint une légende vivante de l'accordéon en ...
      www.cadb.org/diato%20pratique/diatoirlande.htm 


 The only possible equivalent on the chromatic harmonica would be the reversing the piston on a "B" (C/B) or even better a C# (D/C#) chromatic so that the lower notes sound when the said piston is pressed in. 

I believe that Brendan Power, amongst others, has worked on this possibility, whether after hearing some of the recent melodeon players who also "reverse" the traditional reed plate layout, or not, is in my case mere speculation. 

As to playing in three consecutive keys (G, D & A) I could suggest a Melody tuned harmonica i.e. (Paddy 3 blow Smokey 5 draw with C as the lowest note) or a circular tuned D. With both of these instruments a suite of Reels such as ;

Off to California (G), Boys of Bluehill (D) & Red Haired Boy (A) are fairly straight forward, though the ornamantation is somewhat limited. I you want to see the Tab/Music let me know & I'll post it. 

Hope this helps
Mox
     


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