5 Different Accordion Bass Systems | All About The Accordion Bass Buttons
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- čas přidán 11. 01. 2021
- Discover the 5 different accordion bass systems as Patricia Bartell explains what they are and their function inside this video. Find more information with diagrams inside this FREE Guide: Jump Start Guide To Your Basses ebook (digital only): accordionlifeacademy.com/jump...
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The accordion bass and the various bass systems can be confusing at first. But once you understand the brilliance behind how they are organized, it makes the accordion journey easier.
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Patricia Bartell, Founder & CEO of Accordion Life Academy
Patricia Bartell’s accordion life began at the age of eight. Originally from an orphanage in La Paz, Bolivia, Patricia went on to graduate from Whitworth University with a B.A. in Music Education and Accordion Performance.
Since graduating, Patricia has continued to hone her artistry and skill. She has studied under piano and accordion masters, such as Dr. Judith Schoepflin, Kendall Feeney, and Frederic Deschamps. Her training and talent have lead to her successfully competing in international accordion competitions around the world.
Patricia is recognized in North America as well as internationally as an adjudicator, performer, and a master teacher.
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she performs with Tango Volcado, an Argentine Tango Quartet; Owner of Bartell Music Academy in Spokane, WA; leads a young modernized accordion band, The Portatos; represents the U.S.A. as a judge for the Trophée Mondial of the World Confédération for the Accordion; a HOHNER Endorsee and Artist; Owner and producer of one of the most comprehensive online accordion video education website, AccordionLifeAcademy.com.
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Before the convertor free bass became common, there were also some accordions, like mine, that have 6 rows of stradella plus a separate 3 rows of C system free bass (53 extra buttons that are placed closer to the bellows providing 4-1/2 octaves of individual notes).
Yes! We've had some students with accordions like this! Thanks for sharing!
That sounds interesting!! I love learning new things still at the age of 76!!
I am so excited. My father has the big bass and then my hubby gave me a small hohner. I could not play this instrument due to pain, but I always wanted to. Now finally I can start learning, this Awesome instrument. The pain in my left wrist has healed and now I can use both my wrists again. I know its rather tricky, but I am excited to learn. Thank you for this amazing video. Blessings.
Thank you for sharing! Congrats on starting to learn the accordion! Be careful with the left hand as bad technique can cause more wrist pain. If you need help, feel free to reach out. We have courses and freebies at AccordionLifeAcademy.com and also offer private lessons via Zoom should you need live feedback or one-on-one help. We're so happy you found the video helpful! We wish you the best on your accordion journey. :)
Nice that you mention the 3/3 French system. It took me months to figure out what my French Hohner has. You can compensate for the missing diminished button by using a different dominant 7th button: if you play a C# in the bass and a C7 button (E, G, Bb), you have a C# diminished chord.
Yes! One of our team members plays the 3/3 system and does diminished chords in the same way.
In my region, the 'Belgian basses' are still played by many (older) accordionists. This system has straight rows, is a 3-3 system and has a mirrored layout (B-E-A-D-G-C-F instead of F-C-G-D-A-E-B).
Thanks for sharing! There are so many types of bass systems and we could only share some of them in our video. Thanks for sharing about the Belgian Basses!
nice presentation Patricia ! Old guys like me who have been playing stradella since before the beginning of time don't know a lot of what you presented. Thanks for taking the time to prepare and present this very informative video !
Thanks for the comment! We're happy it was helpful!
I've learned a lot again. But again, the Czech Heligonka is a master in proficiency in playing a deep, rich, heavy bass. There is nothing like it. That can make some beautiful music.
I have several accordions, most with Stradella (72, 100, 120) but I also play a little Roland FR-1xB which allow us to pick one of 12 bass modes, including 5 free-bass modes! Good to try the various options.
Wow! Great video, I wish that I saw it when it was released, 3 years ago. I took lessons as a teenager and for a time, had a beautiful Titano Virtuoso Convertor instrument. I remember going thru the first Palmer & Hughes convertor book. I stupidly sold the instrument to a family friend for very little money. I wish that information like this was available back in the 1960s. Back then, a student took whatever little info the instructor gave at face value. It was disrespectful to ask too many questions.
Really interesting video! My accordion is a C system chromatic button accordion (Hohner Piccolo) with a 60 Stradella Bass system for the left hand. I LOVE IT! Full of possibilities and easy to carry everywhere!
So fun! The Hohner Piccolo looks awesome and portable. That's great!
I play standard Stradella accordion as well as the Moschino free bass system. There are more accordion bass systems out there than what was presented here, but I like this video. Bravo Patricia!
Thanks for the comment! Yes! There were only so many we could cover in this video. Maybe we'll have to do another! :D
Hi, I love your content, and I’ve been playing piano for over 25 years and I just picked up my first accordion this past weekend and love it. It is a used 1950’s scandalli 25 key/ 32 bass system .. this accordion has its flaws but I bought it as is.. I’m definitely seeing it’s limitation but it’s perfect for me to get the gist of the accordion down.. I am definitely looking to upgrade at some point, not really sure just yet
Congrats on the new accordion! We're happy you're enjoying the videos! :D
5:51 Really interesting on how switching from free Bass mode causes some of the Left Hand Bass Buttons that aren't being used, to fall down.
I have that exact button on my accordion
Glad I found this video. I bought an accordion last year. Soprani italia. It's about 100 yrs old. Very beautiful. I had to take it apart to rewax some reeds. Also had to fix sticking keys. Play quite well now. Base button is 4 rows of 12. Ab to C#. It also has a sliding switch under the treble side.
Wonderful! Congrats on the accordion! Great work on the repairs. :)
Yeah! The layout of the bass buttons and the inner machinery is an instance of mechanical brilliance.
Thank you very much for your explanation and demonstration!
Glad it was helpful!
4:49 Plays Ah Vous Dirai Je Maman by Mozart (12th Variation) on Piano Accordion from the Sheet music.
Nice video)
Just to add more confusion for beginners :)
There also can be French 3+4 (with diminished 7) option with converter. Check interview with Richard Galliano where he demonstrates Cavagnolo accordion with this system)
Thanks for sharing!
Very good explanation lady... i have a 96 basa a 48 and a 72 Stradella system . i am a self learner but lately i am seeing an accordion teacher and i love the way i play now.
Thanks for the comment! Glad you've found a good teacher. :)
Thanking you very much for these beautiful lessons
Glad you like them!
How can I connect you for more lessons
Sorry! We missed seeing this comment. Contact us at support@accordionlife.com :)
I've always wondered about all of those little buttons! This is fascinating. Coincidentally, I am "teaching myself" to play the harmonica (diatonic, blues harp), which does have some similarities.
Very educative
very informative, thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for your help regarding the model number I received this accordion from family friends yesterday and I just found out this accordion belonged to Anthony Galla Rini and what an amazing find! His nephew is my mothers friends husband Robert and since they know I am a pianist I was gifted the accordion what An amazing find!
You're welcome! What a wonderful accordion to be gifted! Enjoy it that accordion. :)
My Cajun Accordion has only two buttons on the left side; root and chord, "C" on the push, "G" on the pull, and that's already enough trouble! ;-)
Straddle bass is the greatest way to learn music theory!
Thanks for your fascinating video. I play a Roland V-Accordion that can select most of the bass types you have shown. I learned on stradella but am trying to learn quint. The reason is that much of modern music uses power chords which do not include the third.
Can you recommend any resources for learning quint system?
Thanks 💕🎶
Hi Bruce! You're welcome! Quint is fascinating. If you want to learn, I recommend contacting Greyson Masefield. www.accordions.com/gmasefield/ He's a master and amazing on Quint system. Best wishes in your journey!
In the Balkans we use the Balkan Accordions: piano or 6 row flat B griff with 140 basses..its the regular Stradella with an extra row of counterbass which is the minor third as opposed to the major third that is the regular counterbass. Predominantly Dallape and Guerrini
That's cool! Thanks so much for sharing. :)
I have a diatonic accordion but sadly many people don't play accordion in Nigeria
As a newbie to accordions I find them fascinating why is it taking me so long to discover these I just started at 48 bass and got it today and was brokenhearted when I opened it out the box one of the keys broke on the treble side, and I was just starting to have some fun with it and then the key broke and the very first day. So now I got to put it back in the box and I got a ship it back ,but I still had fun on it for about 10-15 minutes til it broke 😮😂😮😅
We're glad you're enjoying them! Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear about the 48 bass. Hopefully you get a replacement soon.
I wish i had money to retake your course. Love your team...
Thank you for the lovely comment! We hope to have you back sometime. I checked for your account and noticed you were with us on our old site, accordionlife.com. We've updated to a new site at AccordionLifeAcademy.com and there are some free resources there. We would also LOVE to have you join us in our online community (FREE) at community.accordionlife.com/. Once a month, we have a live, free ZOOM call for anyone in the community. We hope to see you there!
@@Accordionlife Thank you for your answer. Kind like always. Bless you ..
We're happy to help! :D
Wow. I can’t believe you played bumble boogie on the bass side!! Holy moly Rocky!!!
That was our friend Grayson Masefield!
Me? @accordionlife, I just have a regular old standard bass; 41 piano keys on the right and 120 bass buttons on the left, on both of the big ones I own. My favorite one is my grandmother's old one which she gave me about 10 years ago now; made way back in 1951. As wonderful as it is, I've wanted a free-bass for years, but, they're not very common here in the US. My style of playing uses sustained notes in the bass, like a pipe organ; plus, I tend to play a lot of classical music, which sounds much better on free bass compared to standard.
There's also the 130 Key Chemnitzer Concertina where all the buttons play Single notes very much like a Free Bass Accordion, so you could also play Piano pieces on that instrument.
So cool! Thanks for sharing!
@@Accordionlife The only piece I can think of played on the 130 Key Chemnitzer Concertina is Rachmaninoff's arrangement of our National Anthem interpreted by Tim Sharp to double as an optional Accompaniment to his Choral arrangements:www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/the-star-spangled-banner-arr-sergei-rachmaninoff-ed-tim-sharp-digital-sheet-music/21497685 & it's in the Key of Bb Major, very friendly for the 130 Chemnitzer. Thanks to a complete 3 Octave Range on the Treble Side (A3-A6), a complete Bass & Chord System on the Bass Side, & a Handy Dandy Fingering Chart from this Method book:concertinamusic.com/sbox/download/NickysInstructor130Key.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1MfTQmyR3g1WEoKaXTVo99AnJ5ypRmEO5KifJLDKo9Kf_KzA-b9TVIHvE playing Rachmaninoff's arrangement of our National Anthem on the 130 Chemnitzer is going to really Rock.
Just saying, but it is very common on bayan accordions to have 100 bass buttons. I have a 100 bass bayan using stradella in 5x20. It doesn’t have diminished chord.
I have a Bayan with b-griff in both hands, converter and with steps in the bass.
The video says that the B system chromatic board is mirrored with the B system free bass, just as the C systems are. But it is not true for B system. The free bass of B system (bayan) is not the mirror image but the continuation of the right side chromatic board - as if the right side board is split in two and a half of it is moved / bent around/backwards to the left side. It is a very intuitive system for somebody who is used to playing piano because the direction in which the left hand moves from the lowest to the highest notes is the same as on piano. The C mirror image system is counter-intuitive to piano players because the direction is the opposite.
The mirror image C system has the lowest notes at the top and the highest notes at the bottom both on the right-hand and on the left-hand sides. The B system has the highest notes at the top and the lowest notes at the bottom on the left-hand side. When you play from lower notes to higher in B system, the right hand moves down but the left hand moves up - both hands move in the same direction as on piano.
Thanks for the comment! We'll make note of that. :)
@@Accordionlife So, if you play the same chord or melody with both hands, different fingers are used for left and right hands in B system, just like on piano, but the same fingers can be used for both hands in C system, because it is a mirror image.
So this is the left hand B system used in bayans. However, turns out, there are also B mirror image system used in some other B system accordions. For example, the digital accordion Roland FR-4X with multiple free bass layouts provides a mirror image B system free bass layout under the name
"N. Europe".
So now I am not sure which of them is more popular. But I correct my earlier statement: there are both mirror image and continuous/split versions of the B griff free bass layout. All the notes are the same on each row, but they go in the opposite directions from low to high and from high to low.
For example, on the outer row:
Bayan: F2,...,B4,D5,F5,...,B6,D7.
N. Europe: B6,...,F5,D5,B4,...,F2,D2
In Brazil it's extremely rare to find these types of basses. We use the stradella in all cases. I'd like to have an accordion with free-bass to play classical music properly, but it's hard to find and too expensive
I hear you! They're not as common in the US either, and are definitely more expensive than stradella instruments. Hopefully you are able to find one someday soon!
The USSR factory Leningrad has produced free bass / converters. Search eBay for Leningrad. They are affordable.
I did see Mestrinho with a Giulietti Transformer, but rarely seen him use it. There’s a few others like Vitor Gonçalves and Lucas Cyprano. I’m American, but I love the Brazilian styles! Saudações! 🇺🇸
Is there a way to see exactly what type of accordion you have like the model or serial or something my family inherited this old semi digital looking pancordian 120 bass accordion
Often the model will be on the accordion somewhere--typically the bass side. The serial number is usually on the back. Other than that, a lot of research and asking in Facebook groups!
I really loved your video, very specific and informative...
But... Why you didn't mention the Moschino System which lately has gotten so much popularity?
Or...
What about the 7th and Diminished 7th keys without 5th to play jazz also quite contemporaneous?
Thanks for the comment! We didn't have time to cover all the bass systems in this video (there are many!). Who knows? Maybe we'll do a follow up video sometime in the future and cover those!
I've beeen playing Stradella bass for the longest time. I just got curious about free bass. I play piano accordion, and both my acoustic accordion and an AxE-Cordion have Stradella bass. But I also have a Roland FR-4x which gives me a choice of five free bass systems , plus several Stradella-type layouts. I understand that quint free bass would be easy to learn coming from Stradellav 2-4, but at some point in the future, I might also go for a C-system treble and learn that. Quint free bass materials are easy to find, and I alredy have the Galliano book which provides fingering for both piano- and C system CBA-Accordion. So, which free bass system should I start, quint or C?
Hi! Great comment and question! We recommend starting with C System because on a real quint system you have 8 rows of bass buttons which the Roland doesn't have. Also, just a note, the Roland bass side is not ergonomically designed for free bass. It's great if you want to try something out though! We wish you the best with your free bass adventures!
Thank you so much for this video! In our music school we have learned classical music on stradella bass system like Bach etc. Do you think a stradella bass system can really play that kind of music? And what do you think about digital accordions?
Thanks for the comment! You can learn some classical music on stradella bass-the way it sounds will hinge on your technique and how you play it. We've seen classical played successfully on a stradella bass more than once. Free bass instruments are meant for classical music, but you can definitely use a stradella. Digital accordions have their place, but they are, personally, not a favorite of Patricia or our team because the bellows doesn't affect the keys in the way needed to provide for the technique we use.
@@Accordionlife Thank you so much!!!!!
Is your instruction book is available regarding playing of the accordion ??
Thanks for the question! We currently have online courses available for learning to play piano accordion on our website AccordionLifeAcademy.com. I hope that helps!
interesting!
I have a Hohner piano accordion with 120 bass and a converter switch. It is marked IV at the top of the right side, which has two palm switches. The bass converter switch moves, but does not seem to have any effect. Any idea of how to activate it? There are small cylinders on the right side that show the position of the palm switches. A very tiny indicator on the left side does not reflect any changes, but now I’m guessing that’s the indicator for the free basses.
Hey Virginia, Could you send us some photos or a short video of the instrument to support@accordionlife.com? It's hard to tell just from a description.
❤️❤️❤️
hello im daniel , i love the acordeon,, but never playd it , just bought a very nice, ''belini'' acordeon in mint condicion,, and i want to gueth some tunes of the start , and i knowd by the video not nesesarelly to start are bouth site,s a must the bottom,s side inspired me allready than the piano side stilly i have, thank you for exsplaining and as i vew it now someone gueting a simple tune out of thes graet acordeon , thath was and, still is a pacion of mine.
Congrats on your new accordion! You can check out our other videos as we have "How To Play Accordion Lesson One" which will give you a good start. We also have more resources and freebies on our website, AccordionLifeAcademy.com. Hope you enjoy learning the accordion! It's such a fun, rewarding instrument! :)
@@Accordionlife helo, and gracias soy latino, thank you for the graet demostracion,s i hade the wroung understanding wich side of the acordeon is best to play and start up by, i love my belini , acordeon and wish to , make some noise it make some sense lol, a simple val,s polka or wath ever tune comes out , by me traying well guive me graet satisfaction thank you plentlly for the demostracions, the fellow hom plays it incouraged me to worck hard at it , in order to soccide to injoy it.
For the 3/3 system, how does the it play both 7th and diminished? On the same button?
Great question! To make a diminished chord on 3/3, you just drop down and play the 7th from the row below. For instance, for C diminished, you would play the C bass note with the F 7th chord. This works because of the way the notes are structured in the 3/3 system.
Right now I have a 5-rowed chromatic button accordion with G system and 120 button stradella bass. I would love to have a converter bass one. Thing is though they're more expensive than regular stradella ones and usually heavier. My accordion is already heavy enough. Being 10+ kilograms...
So I've been thinking lately if an accordion with acoustic right side but electric bass side exists. Haven't found any. I don't like Roland's fully electronic accordions at all. The bellow action is so different compared to acoustic accordion. I have seen electric accordions which actually have similar insides to acoustic one on the right side to better mimic the air flow in the bellows and the feel of the buttons. But have not seen one with acoustic right side and electric bass side. That would probably be my dream accordion.
Thanks for the comment! Yes, converters are more expensive and heavier. I don't know of a hybrid accordion like that, but that would be very interesting. We're not Roland fans either for the same reason, especially since a lot of technique relies on the key tension which is related to bellows control. If you ever find that dream accordion, let us know! We'd love to hear about it. :)
I also have sevral accordions of not good quality but I've just bought a scandalli piano accordion with convertor 'n free bass C system 440htz suitable for accompanying the singers. I have not received it yet and I don't know if it's both left 'n right hand the same or different.maybe you can help???
It sounds like the accordion you have purchased has a piano keyboard on the right hand and if it is a convertor bass, then it switches between c-system and stradella bass. Does that help? I'm not 100% sure what you were asking.
Hi Patricia, I have my grandfather's Titano Titan accordion. It has 50 bass buttons. I've done a lot of searching but all I can find is information about 48 bass buttons. What are the extra two buttons?
Hi Morgan, great question! We received your email the other day and our team responded. If you could send a pic of the bass side of your accordion to support@accordionlife.com, we can better help you figure out the layout. :)
@@Accordionlife thanks for your reply! I just found your email in my spam folder. I'll send a pic and continue the conversation with you there. 🎹🎵🎶
So interesting! Great video.
I've had only stradella bass systems. But I aspire to be proficient on a converter bass system.
Yes! Converter is awesome. One of our instructors is our chromatic/convertor genius. It's such a great instrument!
What about the Basseti bass? An accordion teacher showed me this bass system on his accordion. It had extra bass buttons in addition to the standard Stradella bass buttons.
There are several variations of the accordion bass. The five we shared in the video are definitely not all of them! :)
There are Accordions w/ more than 120 Bass. The Free Bass makes it possible to play Piano pieces. The Luttbeg Accordion is a Piano Free Bass Accordion.
Yes! We only had so much time to cover bass systems, but we might do a second installment to this video sometime in the future. :)
@@Accordionlife Here's a good one:www.smythesaccordioncenter.com/the-accordion-blog/the-luttbeg-accordion & they should make more of them cause Pianists will love playing their music on this Gizmo.
That's really interesting! Definitely more limiting than the bass systems available now. Thanks for sharing!
Im starting with a million bass buttons here...😳🙏😯
Do you have the standard stradella bass? If so, you might find our free Jumpstart Guide To Your Bass Buttons helpful! You can find it here: accordionlifeacademy.com/
@@Accordionlife Thank you.
Yes...
Hey, Do you have any online course ? I am from India, and accordian player are rarely found in my village. So, if you have any online course, please let me know.
Hi! Thanks for the comment! We do currently have courses for the piano accordion as well as a course for the stradella bass. If you are looking for chromatic accordion or free bass, we teach those live via Zoom and have had multiple students learn this way from India! You can learn more about our online courses here: accordionlifeacademy.com/ If you're interested in lessons via Zoom, send us an email at support@accordionlife.com and we can talk about the details. :) You can also email with any questions you might have about our courses. We're happy to help!
Question what about Hohner piano 48 basses Also Congratulations and thank you
Thank you for the comment! The Hohner 48 bass is still a stradella bass system. We talk more about the different sizes of stradella bass systems in our Mastery of the Bass Buttons Course here: accordionlifeacademy.com/bass/mastery-of-the-bass-buttons
My accordion has 5 rows of base buttons, with major, minor & 7th chords, but no diminished. Just wondering how common that is?
This is sometimes seen on smaller instruments or vintage accordions.
I notice that the array of buttons for selecting related items below the right-hand side of the video frame includes the misspelling Accordians. I assume this is CZcams's mistake, and I have alerted them to it, but if it's yours, you might want to fix it. Cheers.
Thanks for the comment! Yes, that's a CZcams thing, but it's probably auto-generated from other videos and search terms. While we don't use that misspelling, we do sometimes search it to find accordion content that's been misspelled. 🤷♀️
They should really make Luttbeg Accordions again cause they're versastile.
What is it if it has a button that says tenor, with an icon/diagram that shows three dots in a line, and another button that says baritone with an icon/diagram that shows three dots in a zigzag?
Those are registers and they change the tone of the bass buttons. :)
I just got a Russian Accordion with a 16-bass count 😰 hoping you can help me out with a video or a video to another reference to know how to learn about the bass chords !!
Hi @danielmaluenda9731! Congrats on the new accordion! We do have a free ebook about the bass layout and chords at AccordionLifeAcademy.com. However, it is geared for Stradella bass, which yours may...or may not...be. Feel free to send us some photos and/or a video at accordionlifeacademy@gmail.com so we can help further!
@@Accordionlife thank you so much will do!
I can play the right hand of both my piano accordions, but the left hand is still very much confusing. Will get the hang of it...
I understand! We have a free 'Jump Start Guide To Your Basses' ebook available over at AccordionLifeAcademy.com
Can u tell us the prices of different type of accordians ?
Hi! Great question! I really can't give you prices because it varies so much from manufacturer to manufacturer and between different levels of accordion models. Is there a specific kind you're looking for?
I would like to learn Accordion
It's such a fun instrument! Do you have one?
I am a beginner and I have a 12 bass 25 piano key accordion and since I know how to play the piano , I want to learn to do the bellows correctly and the button as well to sound good from the beginning of my learning. I would appreciate any help that you can do. I cannot afford to pay for lessons . I can only do u-tubee ree lessons . Are you on u-tube?? asks Judy Corrette
Thanks for the comment! We have a couple videos here on CZcams with teaching-one for the bellows and a first lesson video. With a 12 bass, you can learn to manage the bellows well, but it's going to be challenging because you're very limited on the size of the accordion. You may have to change the bellows every two measures which isn't always idea. We have a few free resources over on our website: accordionlifeacademy.com/
I've got a standard 48 and a standard 72 one. (Both instruments are over 30 years old now) What i was missing in the video is the bass system of the "steirische harmonika" a diatonic one common in central europe for mostly traditional music. Because it freaked me out when a collegue gave me one to try. The bass notes and according chords seem to be arranged vertically on them. So to me being used to have them in a convenient row that was causing a knot in my brain trying to play. (before that i thought at least the left hand side would be the same as on my old piano accordions)
Thanks for sharing! Yes, we didn't have time to share every available bass system in this particular video. Perhaps in the future!
I'm trying to get my first accordion and I am OVERWHELMED by options!
All I know is I don't want a keyboard and I don't want diatonic
There can be a lot of choices! What kind of music do you want to play? That can help with the decision. Another factor to take into consideration is how easy it is to find teaching materials and resources for your desired accordion.
@@Accordionlife I want to play EVERY kind! I guess I'm most likely to end up playing gospel, jazz, blues, folk punk, indie rock, and funk stylistically and compositionally but I don't want to be limited.
So far, as I've been researching, B System seems like it would make more sense and be more intuitive to me than C but as for bass, I still don't know
I thought "free bass" was a reference to chromatic B system (bayan) or C system, but done on the bass side. I own a chromatic (b system) with the bass side having "french bass" (3/3 as you also called it). I did not know that "free bass" meant that all six rows are laid out like the two bass rows on the standard stradella. If I understand you correctly, where the stradella is 2/4, and the french system is 3/3 then free bass would be 6/0? With all the rows relating to their neighbor rows like the two bass rows of stradella? If I had known that, I would have that system on my accordion. Are you certain that this is the correct definition of "free bass"? If so, I might have to purchase a new bass side for my box! (I almost never use the major, minor, 7th and diminished chord buttons, because I find the standard way people use those chords to be not to my taste (too restrictive and formulaic). I have a friend with a supposedly "free bass" accordion, but it has b system chromatic layout on the treble side and the bass side. Any comments you have on this would be greatly appreciated! Subscribed!
Hi John, great questions! Free bass is where all 6 rows of bass buttons are individual bass notes -- the first two rows are the same as the first two in the Stradella system while the remaining 4 rows are either chromatic B System or C System (mirrored to the right hand). The Quint system spoken about at the end of the video is a variation of free bass, but is just the first two rows of Stradella repeated in the remaining rows. So all 6 rows are just repeats of the first two rows in different octaves. It's not referred to as 6/0 though -- just Quint system. I believe the 2/4 and 3/3 terms are used only in reference to the Stradella bass combination of single note rows with chords. I hope this is helpful! Please let me know if you have further questions. :)
@@Accordionlife Thanks! So free base means what I thought it meant. And there is no current standard system where all six rows relate to each other the way the three bass rows in the french system do. For me that would be an ideal system. But, good to know that does not exist, and therefore is not available (unless I buy a Roland and program the bass side!). Thanks again!
I think you have a confusion between "Quint Bass System" and "Free-bass". One with six rows laid out like the two bass rows on the standard stradella is not free-bass, but quint-bass. Free-bass is exactly what you described in the first sentence in your comment. Additionally, calling quint-bass system as 6/0 is not correct. Let me explain it with an example. Consider a stredella bass system, with 20 rows and 6 columns (totally 120 bass). The bass buttons in the 1st column are always major third above 2nd column (e.g. if button in 2nd column is C, its neighbouring button in the 1st column is the major third above C that is E). Similarly in French 3/3 System, 2nd column is always major third above 3rd column. Now, revisiting the same example, let's have again C and E in the 2nd and 1st columns, respectively. 3rd column of this row now becomes Ab since C (the second column) is the major 3rd above Ab (3rd column). Imagining a 6/0 with this approach would yield a system whose 1st column is major 3rd above 2nd one, 2nd one is major 3rd above 3rd one...5th one is major 3rd above 6th one. An example row would be (starting from 1st column): E-C-Ab-E-C-Ab. As you see it repeats itself and does not make sense unless the repeated columns have different octaves. That 6/0 system (that we just made up to explain) differs from the Quint-Bass system in the sense that: Quint bass system repeats the 1st and 2nd column in 3rd-4th and 5th-6th ones, so an example row in quint system would be E-C-E-C-E-C. Of course, each repeated column pairs have different octaves, so Quint-bass system provides 3 octave bass range. I hope, it is now more clear....
Hey John, The Quint system's rows relate to each other in the same way that the first two rows in the stradella (and thus the first three rows in the French System) do. Samil26's explanation of the Quint is correct. :)
@@Accordionlife Your explanation of the quint system was very clear, and I already understood it. The misunderstanding is about what I really mean when I say 3/3 and 6/0. My way of using that number system would be to call the quint system out as being 2/2/2. So, please let me explain (not so much for you as for anybody trying to follow all this!). You will already know a lot of what I am about to outline, but it needs to be very clear for anyone else following this conversation now or in future. So, using the C diagonal row, I propose to outline the notes (or chords) for each of the six diagonal row buttons, beginning always at the bellows:
E C Cmajor Cminor C7 Cdm (stradella C diagonal) 2 bases then four chords
E C G# Cmajor Cminor C7 (French or 3/3 C diagonal) 3 bases then three chords (I own and play a B chromatic with this bass system and I love it!)
E C G# E C G# ("My" 6/0 system C diagonal) 6 bases and zero chords (EVERY row relates the same to every adjacent row)
E C E C E C (Quint base C diagonal) Call this 2/2/2? Second and third pairs are just single notes, but in higher octaves (if I understand correctly)
It is critical to understand the following:
In Stradella, you can play a melody using rows 1+2
In 3/3 french you can play a melody using rows 1+2 OR 2+3, using the exact same patterns (different key tho). ALL THREE bass rows are "isomorphic".
In 3/3 french you can play complicated melody using all three bass rows. 1+2+3 WITHOUT moving your hand.
In quint,, you CAN play stradella melody on rows 1+2, OR on 3+4 OR on 5+6, AND can make large jumps between paired rows.
In quint, you CANNOT use Stradella type patterns to play on rows 2+3 or on rows 5+6, that you CAN play on 1+2 or 3+4 or 5+6. Because quint is not "isomorphic".
In "my" proposed 6/0 system, you can:
play a stradella type melody on ANY pair of rows. 1+2, 2+3, 3+4, 4+5, or 5+6
you can play "complicated" melodies such as on the 3/3 system using ANY three adjacent rows: 1+2+3, 2+3+4, 3+4+5, or 4+5+6 WITHOUT moving hand.
because of that, you can play complicated melodies in EVERY key while keeping your hand away from the strap inhibited areas.
All 12 keys are "under the hand" in the easy to navigate middle area of the bass button jungle. No moving hand way up or down the strap!
Every button is stacked bass octaves, as in stradella bass and counterbass rows. System could also be laid out as notes though.
This layout is completely isomorphic everywhere.
"Isomorphic" means that, like the B griff and C griff chromatic keyboard layouts, the same finger patterns can be used starting from any button.
Changing patterns is only needed if you get too near the "edge" of the "button forest" just as with B griff or C griff keyboards.
All that is said to explain what I am calling "6/0" better. I hope someday somebody makes one!
But there's a new one, the Luttbeg System basically Keyboard Free Bass.
How to join ur online courses ? Iam from pune (state maharshtr
I am from Pune,(state Maharashtra) India.
Hi! Thanks for the comment! You can find our online courses at accordionlifeacademy.com/
I've got a Roland FR-8x and it offers 5 separate Free bass systems. From what I can tell the Minor third is the C system, the Bajan is the B system, The "Fifth" is the Quint system. Don't know what the N. Europe is and don't know what the Finnish is. Roland does not help matters by not using any of these names in the display, nor am I entirely sure how to change from one to the other. Their user manual is none to friendly for me either.
We have a Roland FR-8x arriving in a few days and will check it out. :)
What if my accordion doesn't have any bass keys? Does that exist?
Actually... yes, if you have a piano accordion that doesn't have any bass buttons and the treble keys sound very low, you likely have a bass accordion! We show on in another video here: czcams.com/video/nlpJEtWit58/video.html
@@Accordionlife Wow, thank you for the precise link!
You're welcome!
Heel wat accordeonspelers hier in België spelen nog met het belgische bassystem....jammer in de video geen uitleg daarover.
Yes! We honestly didn't have time to cover all the different bass systems-so there are more than we have the video including the Belgian bass. But who knows?! Maybe we'll do another video about those systems sometime in the future. :)
What is the Belgian bass system then?
From Wikipedia: "The Belgian bass system is a variation used in Belgian chromatic accordions. It is also arranged in a circle of fifths but in reverse order. This system has three rows of basses, three rows of chord buttons allowing easier fingering for playing melodies, combined chords, better use of fingers one and five, and more space between the buttons. This system was rarely used outside of its native Belgium."
Me: *cries in helikon bass*
I have seven rows??
Sweet! How many of them are single notes? It's possible you have an extra row of counter bass notes. :)
@@Accordionlife It’s a Dallapè Maxima, if that means anything. It has 140 bass notes total with three rows of bass. I think you’re right about the extra row :)
Also it says made in Italy but there’s no number, like it got scratched out or something, so I can’t find the year it was manufactured
That is so cool! I've never played a Dallape Maxima, but from looking it up, it does appear that you have an extra row of counter bass notes. If it follows the same pattern, it may be the same layout as the first three rows of the 3/3 system, but I'm not 100% sure about that.
@@Accordionlife I'm thinking so too, it looks like it goes 7th, Dim, Minor, Major, then bass notes.
Omg!! I’d say she has had a few practice hours!!!! Lol
I have never seen bass buttons move so fast in all my life
" That's not confusing at all " is musician-speak for go learn music theory basics and notation, then come back and view the previous portion of this video 5 times.
I'm sure your videos and knowledge are great but that perpetual background music drives me bonkers...just can't concentrate on what you are saying with it playing.
Thanks for the comment! Yes, we are planning to do the background music differently for future videos. :)