Re: [TANGO-L] doble A

[Stephen Brown <Stephen.P.Brown @DAL.FRB.ORG>]

>Isn't the double A reference to the key of the instrument?

An interesting idea, but I am pretty sure that double A refers to Alfred
Arnold.

Key signatures are commonly written in A, A flat, or perhaps A minor
(which is the relative minor of C.)  I have never heard of key signatures
named in any double letters.

I have also not heard of an instrument named in a double key, but there
are two standards for naming instruments in key signatures.  Under one
standard, which applies to trumpets and other wind instruments, calling an
instrument B flat means that the instrument plays B flat when the player
reads a C.  Under another standard, which applies to harmonicas, calling
the instrument G means that the instrument has the notes for the G Major
scale.  For the G harmonica, the G note is in the same position where C is
on a C harmonica.

Nothing suggests that a bandoneon plays an A when the player reads a C,
and even if it did, that would not account for a double-A designation.

In looking at the Alfred Arnold 142 button keyboard
<http://laue.ethz.ch/cm/pic/pdf/AA_142.pdf> or Alfred Arnold's
Einheitsbandoneon 144 button keyboard
<http://laue.ethz.ch/cm/pic/pdf/Ein_144.pdf>, I also do not see anything
that suggests that either bandoneon has one keyboard let alone two on
which the buttons are arranged primarily to facilitate playing in A major
(A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#).

The tricky part about translating "Tristezas en Doble-A" is that en can translated as either in or on.

With best regards,
Steve

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