French CBA technique

[maugein96]

OK, youve got a C system CBA and you want to play French musette style stuff on it. Youre trying to work out what techniques and fingering to use.

Here is a clip of an old school French player, Jo Morage, where you can get a good look at his right hand.

The swing style of music here requires him to use his thumb on the first and second rows, but youll see that the 4th row is pretty much off limits.

Youll also see that he makes prolific use of his little finger, particularly in the formation of chords.

Whilst this style is now regarded as being old fashioned, thats how the instrument was played in its heyday, and is the reason why very few modern players are able to replicate the old detache staccato style of French musette. Strength was required in all 5 right hand fingers otherwise it just didnt work.

Who was Jo Morage, and why has nobody ever heard of him? He was a jazz/swing player who just went on stage and played without all the fuss and glamour of the big names of the day. He did compose a few tunes, but the only one which got into the acclaimed 110 succes volumes was Orly Valse. Sadly, I havent been able to find that particular track on You Tube.

Watch and learn, as they say:- <YOUTUBE id=btLtpCe7F3s url=></YOUTUBE>

 

[Geoff de Limousin]

Wow,

that is an amazingly usefull video M96 ! Great dexterity from Jo Morage who appears to put more into the tune than Viseur.... calls for some study as you suggest.

thanks again for posting the link.

 

[artelagro]

Thanks Maugein
Much easier (for the auld yins) to follow if you slow it down to 50%
Ca canny
Garth

 

[debra]

...
The swing style of music here requires him to use his thumb on the first and second rows, but youll see that the 4th row is pretty much off limits.

Youll also see that he makes prolific use of his little finger, particularly in the formation of chords.

Whilst this style is now regarded as being old fashioned, thats how the instrument was played in its heyday, and is the reason why very few modern players are able to replicate the old detache staccato style of French musette. Strength was required in all 5 right hand fingers otherwise it just didnt work.
...

Very nice video. He makes very limited use of the thumb, so no wonder the little finger then gets used a lot. I tend to use the thumb much more and the little finger less.
The staccato style is indeed essential to give this music a feeling of being light and airy, and less difficult than it actually is.