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George Secor, Baby Accordion layout?
- Thread starter Plinky
- Start date
Secor played (he's passed away, I believe), a Moschino system Free Bass, probably the least popular around. No V-Accordion supports this system.
Caps
Active member
I.ve never seen one of those.. Looks like lightweight fun.
Hi Jerry “the least popular around and No V-Accordion supports this system”
I would suggest they are two very good reasons for building one
Hi Caps I'm trying to work out from the video how to layout the 15 buttons I thought someone might have either tried it or had the layout
This is the moschino layout ,it looks a fun project. I have plenty of PA bass reeds and it should be an easy swap to try out on my Hohner 48 bass.
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Moschino (and other isomorphic layouts) really need to be big to reap any benefits from them. If you have less than 2.5-3 octaves you very quickly "run out" of keyboard and have to come up with all sorts of daft & uncomfortable fingerings. The system stops working as intended in the original design.
I've heard exactly the same accounts from people playing a "reduced" Wiki-Hayden layout on concertinas, although I haven't tried W-H myself yet.
Also, moschino really shines in an 8-row version, while a 6-row becomes a lot harder and less intuitive to play. It's still better than the conventional free bass systems, but not quite the same league as the 8-row.
I therefore regret to say that I don't see any benefit at all in a severely castrated moschino, unless it's done as a fun novelty project.
I've heard exactly the same accounts from people playing a "reduced" Wiki-Hayden layout on concertinas, although I haven't tried W-H myself yet.
Also, moschino really shines in an 8-row version, while a 6-row becomes a lot harder and less intuitive to play. It's still better than the conventional free bass systems, but not quite the same league as the 8-row.
I therefore regret to say that I don't see any benefit at all in a severely castrated moschino, unless it's done as a fun novelty project.
Hi, Tcabot I don't really see instruments in that way.
Something like a one row melodeon ,some may consider a limited instrument
but in the right hands can be quite wonderful.
Brahms Hungarian Dance No5 - George Secor, Baby Accordion
I think it not only looks like an interesting project but could be quite versatile and certainly fun to make and play.
Something like a one row melodeon ,some may consider a limited instrument
but in the right hands can be quite wonderful.
Brahms Hungarian Dance No5 - George Secor, Baby Accordion
I think it not only looks like an interesting project but could be quite versatile and certainly fun to make and play.
Hi ,without innovation we would all be playing drums. Someone designed everything ,and almost everything is a derivation of something else.
It looks and sounds to me like an interesting instrument ,it may be a scaled down version of something else ,but I don't think that detracts from its purpose and its ability to make music.
I think it's actually a rather cool little box that appears very versatile and lightweight and could be great fun to build and play.
Another drummer joke?
. As a former and infrequent practitioner, I resemble that comment! I play once in a while with a banjo player so we have to joke about our bagpipe playing neighbor.Hi Tom I used the term “drums” but was actually referring to stone age man.Another drummer joke?
As Drum- like devices were amongst the first instruments along with bone flutes,so every modern instrument is in some way derivative.
I'm retired now but was a professional musician for most of my adult life and some of the most inspiring guest moments have been playing with musicians that played what by some ,could be considered either limited or novelty instruments.
But through inspiration and ability have elevated the instrument to something quite wonderful
I'm a big fan of "it's not what you have ,its what you do with it"
David Colpitts
Member
For Plinky, mostly.....
Here's the layout (orange) for the 15 button Moschino Free Bass ("baby") layout. I am just getting the hang of it, and think it has much to recommend for a small-but-interesting accordion. I have also added the pic of my "Janko" conversion of the piano end, which I am enjoying. This one is a keeper!
Here's the layout (orange) for the 15 button Moschino Free Bass ("baby") layout. I am just getting the hang of it, and think it has much to recommend for a small-but-interesting accordion. I have also added the pic of my "Janko" conversion of the piano end, which I am enjoying. This one is a keeper!
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Hi David many thanks I,ve been having some lessons on the five finger left hand bass method ,thumb on the dim row sudo 7ths etc and although initially I found it very difficult Its really growing on me ,so I gave the 32 bass to a friends daughter to learn on.
At my age learning to use the left thumb is probably challenging enough
David Colpitts
Member
Plinky, you are most welcome for the Moschino "baby" information. I must admit that as a very new-to-the-game accordion fan, what you say is sort of lost on me...does it have to do with a way to work around the Stradella's built-in limitations of "canned" chords and allow more chromatic freedom, or such? Since I have zero Stradella experience, all that's as new to me as using your left thumb sounds new to you. Imagine I have managed to do very little (at least, not consciously) with my left hand as an Anglo concertina player. Chords automatic, mostly, if you like, with the left, as long as you play in the keys "stamped on the side of the box"; C and G, or G and D, or BbEb, etc. But the little Moschino layout as demo'd by Mr. Secor really impressed me, and since I had stumbled onto the actual machine for a reasonable price, I had to try it. On a related matter, I also picked up a Giulietti 2-voice PA with the CBA C system left, and am saving that. Lastly, have you ever messed with a Hayden Duet concertina layout? People call it the "smallest chrmatic button accordion with free bass" and it must be. If you play any with an iPad, you can get a fantastic app that includes many systems for light, headphone practice. MusixPro is the one I play most. Anyway, have fun!
PeterF
Member
Plinky, I think Dallas Vietty, a professional accordionist and teacher here in the States, plays on a Moschino system. I think he had a connection with George Secor too. I don't have Dallas's contact handy, but I've met him a few times and he's a lovely guy. Right before Covid I was talking to him about coming to try his Moschino system, but then things got crazy. If you Google him you should find his webpage and a contact, plus I think he's on Facebook. I don't think he's on this forum. I"m sure he'd be willing to talk to you about the system. Good luck with your conversion!
Dallas does a 2 hour livestream most weeks. He’s talked about these Moschinos. I believe he “inherited” a number of them, to keep or borrow, possibly from Mr. Secor. Although lately he seems more enthused about Stradella. Anyway, I find his livestreams very cool, and yeah, they are free!!!
