Easy songs on free bass Accordion

[breezybellows]

In this video I'm performing five beginner level songs on free bass accordion. The last song was composed by Beethoven and I'm very excited because this is the first song that I've learned that is from the classical era.

I'm also performing three other songs composed by my free bass teacher Joseph Natoli.

I'm actually pleasantly surprised at how well the digital accordion sounds in free bass mode. I like this much better than stradella mode.

 

[JerryPH]

I've played my Hohner Free Bass as much as 8 hours straight, I cannot play the 8X Free Bass for more than 15 minutes before my hand craps and hurts. I just cannot do it... and I have tried a lot over the years.

If it is not too personal, may I ask what Joe Natoli charges? It's more curiosity than anything else, since you mentioned it.

 

[John M]

Jerry,

Why is the Hohner less stressful to play? Is the Free Bass layout different that on the 8X? The 8X has five different different Free Bass Layouts. Are none of them the same as the Hohner?

 

[Tom]

Good work Breezy!

 

[breezybellows]

I've played my Hohner Free Bass as much as 8 hours straight, I cannot play the 8X Free Bass for more than 15 minutes before my hand craps and hurts. I just cannot do it... and I have tried a lot over the years.

Is your Hohner free bass the m3 system I see in your profile picture? I haven't played enough free bass to make the comparison between my digital accordion and two other acoustic accordions I have that has free bass. Although, after practicing my free bass drills for about 3 weeks, my decade old wrist injury (from bad guitar technique) flared up so much that I had to take a break from accordion for a week.

My acoustic converter accordion had a problem with the converter switch and I was have been practicing free bass on my digital accordion for three days now. It doesn't feel any harder on my wrist. But I'll need to play it for a few more days to see how it goes.

 

[colinm]

I've played my Hohner Free Bass as much as 8 hours straight, I cannot play the 8X Free Bass for more than 15 minutes before my hand craps and hurts. I just cannot do it... and I have tried a lot over the years.

If it is not too personal, may I ask what Joe Natoli charges? It's more curiosity than anything else, since you mentioned it.

$60 per hour according to internet

I've played my Hohner Free Bass as much as 8 hours straight, I cannot play the 8X Free Bass for more than 15 minutes before my hand craps and hurts. I just cannot do it... and I have tried a lot over the years.

If it is not too personal, may I ask what Joe Natoli charges? It's more curiosity than anything else, since you mentioned it.

 

[JerryPH]

Jerry,

Why is the Hohner less stressful to play? Is the Free Bass layout different that on the 8X? The 8X has five different different Free Bass Layouts. Are none of them the same as the Hohner?

Honestly I just think it's me. I played that box from the age of 13 and the hand/fingers got used to the high position of the MIII layout. The spacing on the Roland seems cavernous and squishy in comparison, just makes me work a lot harder. I'm also arthritic, I am sure that doesn't help... lol

... and yes the layout of the first 3 rows is the same C-griff system on both.

 

[JerryPH]

Is your Hohner free bass the m3 system I see in your profile picture?

It is.

My acoustic converter accordion had a problem with the converter switch and I was have been practicing free bass on my digital accordion for three days now. It doesn't feel any harder on my wrist. But I'll need to play it for a few more days to see how it goes.

It could be because you basically started on a converter layout and are comfortable. Anyways, good job keep it up!

 

[TomBR]

Well played!
The first item, "Petite Suite - Unknown" is that from or based on a piece from JS Bach's Anna Magdalena Notebook?

 

[breezybellows]

I've played my Hohner Free Bass as much as 8 hours straight, I cannot play the 8X Free Bass for more than 15 minutes before my hand craps and hurts. I just cannot do it... and I have tried a lot over the years.

If it is not too personal, may I ask what Joe Natoli charges? It's more curiosity than anything else, since you mentioned it.

It's $60 for a one hour lesson.

 

[breezybellows]

Well played!
The first item, "Petite Suite - Unknown" is that from or based on a piece from JS Bach's Anna Magdalena Notebook?

I am not sure

 

[debra]

Honestly I just think it's me. I played that box from the age of 13 and the hand/fingers got used to the high position of the MIII layout. The spacing on the Roland seems cavernous and squishy in comparison, just makes me work a lot harder. I'm also arthritic, I am sure that doesn't help... lol

... and yes the layout of the first 3 rows is the same C-griff system on both.

There are many more players of the MIII system that appear to be very comfortable with it. (I particularly like Mie Miki playing it for instance.) Personally I find that it's a bit too far a stretch to reach the three rows past the stradella bass, and some of my friends playing MIII as well think likewise. I am more comfortable with a convertor accordion, but there are differences there too, especially in how close the first row of buttons is to the edge. Of course I'm really just a beginner on melody bass compared to everyone who started doing it at an early stage of learning to play the accordion.

 

[petch]

but there are differences there too, especially in how close the first row of buttons is to the edge.

For me that's definitely an advantage over the MIII system (which my hands are too small for) as it allows you to use your thumb

 

[TomBR]

Well played!
The first item, "Petite Suite - Unknown" is that from or based on a piece from JS Bach's Anna Magdalena Notebook?

I reckon - Musette in D from Bach's Anna Magdalena Notebook - so quite a bit earlier than the Beethoven!

 

[breezybellows]

I reckon - Musette in D from Bach's Anna Magdalena Notebook - so quite a bit earlier than the Beethoven!

Looks like that's the one! Thank you!

 

[dunlustin]

Re Anna Magdalena Notebook
I found this very useful.
Can't find my copy but I think it is a Schirmer Edition for (learner) pianists.
About £10 with CD - many useful pieces.
It has been mentioned before - includes the usual G major minuet everyone knows and a really nice G minor one that's less well known.

 

[JerryPH]

For me that's definitely an advantage over the MIII system (which my hands are too small for) as it allows you to use your thumb

Its a good book, I plan to start something from it later today.

New Bach Book | Accordion Memories

 

[petch]

I've been playing #10 from that recently, the Minuet in D Minor