Comparing two accordions for learning CB layout

[tcabot]

Moving between B- and C- is probably like transposing. Maybe easier. The fingering parters are essentially the same.

Not really, unless you're only talking about the 3-row keyboard. If you're talking 5-row keyboard, you'll notice that the 4th doubler row is shifted in different directions on B and on C. This does completely change your fingering options.

If C-system and B-system were shifted in the same direction on the 4th, then you could use the same fingerings & just transpose.

 

[Walker]

In the 1970s, I got interested in free bass. I’ve spent time with 5 different keyboard layouts: quint, Geraci, Kuehl, Moshino, C-system, and B-system.
I do not recommend quint. Maybe I didn’t give it a chance but it seems terribly limited. I’ve never seen a YouTube video of anyone playing even a Bach 2-part Inv3ntion on one. Correct me if I’m wrong,

Hi Ed... Quint is a very good system with many world class players. I am happy to show you some YouTube videos. I suspect you just "didn't give it a chance".

The first album that I have selected one piece from contains every single Bach 2 and 3 part invention (as you requested).



Here's some English Suites. By a young Italian concert accordionist.



Here are three former world champions all playing quint free bass...

 

[JerryPH]

I do not recommend quint. Maybe I didn’t give it a chance but it seems terribly limited. I’ve never seen a YouTube video of anyone playing even a Bach 2-part Inv3ntion on one. Correct me if I’m wrong,

I am an old style MIII free bass user, but if you think Quint is limiting, listen to anything played by Nick Ariondo.

 

[dak]

In the 1970s, I got interested in free bass. I’ve spent time with 5 different keyboard layouts: quint, Geraci, Kuehl, Moshino, C-system, and B-system.
I do not recommend quint. Maybe I didn’t give it a chance but it seems terribly limited. I’ve never seen a YouTube video of anyone playing even a Bach 2-part Inv3ntion on one. Correct me if I’m wrong,

It's probably not announced all the time. Something like


makes quint bass look pretty convenient: you'd have to jump around a lot more with B/C system on the left.

But arpeggiated chords probably map a lot nicer than more serial and/or multiple voices.

 

[Walker]

The Regondi piece is quite lovely and it suits the Quint layout. There will be some music that Quint does very well and other things that chromatic free bass is much better at. That's what I would expect.

However, I'm a big fan of Luigi Luca. Here's a couple of excerpts of Quinte...

 

[saundersbp]

Around 2006, I finally found a free bass accordion with a sound and tonal balance that beckoned me to practice. It is made my Castagnari, a converter C-system free bass. It has gorgeous tone on trebke and bass. I got to where I could play some Bach Inventions and Sinfonias on it. It has a great sound for Chorales too. Not sure of the year, but I was playing it in a 3-piece band in a musical when it needed to go into the shop for repairs.

What an interesting post and thanks for sharing a lifetime of solid experience. I have never heard of a Castagnari converter accordion, that would be something I would splash out on. Any idea if they still make them?

 

[Walker]

I have never heard of a Castagnari converter accordion, that would be something I would splash out on

A little folk accordion with single voice free bass would be very nice.

 

[EdBouchard]

What an interesting post and thanks for sharing a lifetime of solid experience. I have never heard of a Castagnari converter accordion, that would be something I would splash out on. Any idea if they still make them?

I was told they only made 2, one for a relative (nephew maybe) who about to attend music school. I lucked into mine for a low price, used, from a private party who was advertising it online. It’s a wonderful instrument.

 

[EdBouchard]

I am an old style MIII free bass user, but if you think Quint is limiting, listen to anything played by Nick Ariondo.

Nick is clearly a fine player. Is he switching to Stradella on this piece on certain passages? My arthritic right thumb had me messing up more on the treble side than the bass, But you can see how easy it is to form chords exactly as the were arranged for piano on this Roland, configured for C-system

 

[JerryPH]

Nick is clearly a fine player. Is he switching to Stradella on this piece on certain passages? My arthritic right thumb had me messing up more on the treble side than the bass, But you can see how easy it is to form chords exactly as the were arranged for piano on this Roland, configured for C-system

Hey Ed,
He does do that for simplicity or convenience only. Now I don't have enough experience on the Quint (only really played one once), but it may offer a minor difficulty for large chord jumps but please be assured that he could do it if he wished to. Maybe @Walker (who plays Quint), may be better able to answer. Anyone that can play flight of the bumble bee or Moto Perpetuo with the left hand at full speed definitely can do chords in Free Bass.

 

[EdBouchard]

Hi Ed... Quint is a very good system with many world class players. I am happy to show you some YouTube videos. I suspect you just "didn't give it a chance".

The first album that I have selected one piece from contains every single Bach 2 and 3 part invention (as you requested).



Here's some English Suites. By a young Italian concert accordionist.



Here are three former world champions all playing quint free bass...

Thank you!