Information > Switched 5th button
In most melodeons used in the Netherlands, the 5th button on the inner row (5') is switched compared to the original melodeon in GC tuning.
In the figure below you can see that:
In the original GC tuning, the G appears twice as a push (6 and 5’) and the A appears twice as a pull (7 and 5’). ​​The G cannot be played as a pull and the A cannot be played as a push.
In the modified GC tuning (switched) the G and A can be played both by pushing and pulling. This allows you to play more “fluently”. An example will make clear what this means.
GC tuning with switched 5th button
Original GC tuning
Above is a part from the Guinness Waltz (see Tab GC).
In the original GC tuning, you have more “push and pull” work, which makes the waltz less fluid. Besides, you can’t play the right chord (Am) in the third bar, because the G can only be played pushing.
More information about the switched 5th button (in Dutch) can be found on the following websites: