Harmonic logic of the stradella system design

[Jaime_Dergut]

Hello there,

I'm excited today because I came to a realization after playing one of my accordions in the streets.

When I was fooling around with the chords on the treble side, and suddenly I had the idea of alternating bass on C, cm, G and doing the same thing on the treble side.
I quickly realized that the fingering I used (1, 2, 3) and the position of G next to C on the bass side was pretty convenient to make an Om paa paa pattern in both sides.

The same logic applies to the rest of the buttons on the bass side. Next to each other is the respective chord that you will use on the treble side, for example:

B,bM, F#

To create a bm sound on the treble side, you have to press the chord of B, D and F#. By using 1,2 and 3, respectively, you can create an alternative bass technique on the treble side by hitting (note: number represents fingers starting with thumb at 1):

1 -> B
1,2,3 -> B,D,F#
3 -> F#


Now, on the bass side, B and F# are next to each, and so are the rest of the tunes according to its harmonic arrangement. Isn't this fascinating?

I finally understood the logic behind the arrangement of the stradella system layout, and it's brilliant! I'm marvelled by the ingenuity of this.

I'm glad I am able to share this with you all, even thought it may sound basic.

Thanks for your time and attention, and please, share your thoughts if there is something else you would like to say about harmony and the stradella system.

Regards,

Jaime

 

[Tom]

That's a great disccovery, Jaime, and one we all (stradella players) eventually discover snd appreciate! Don't forget that you've also got the (major) 3rd, and all of the other (bass) scale degrees nearby that can also help with counterbass and scale runs. Including the flat 7 (b7) which in your case is A, two buttons "down."

How was the response by people on the streets? Big fun?

 

[Harrytulipan]

Fingers 1, 2 and 3 for a chord?

 

[Harrytulipan]

That's a great disccovery, Jaime, and one we all (stradella players) eventually discover snd appreciate! Don't forget that you've also got the (major) 3rd, and all of the other (bass) scale degrees nearby that can also help with counterbass and scale runs. Including the flat 7 (b7) which in your case is A, two buttons "down."

How was the response by people on the streets? Big fun?

This just confuses me.
What is he trying to say? Is he just saying that the LH is based on the circle of fifths?
This makes jumping from F chord to E chord a bit difficult for beginners.
It stills makes me frustrated at times.

 

[Tom]

This just confuses me.
What is he trying to say? Is he just saying that the LH is based on the circle of fifths?
This makes jumping from F chord to E chord a bit difficult for beginners.
It stills makes me frustrated at times.

Hi Harry, just talking about the fact that the whole major scale and seventh are organized right there around the fundamental bass note.

 

[lmschgo]

Hi Harry, just talking about the fact that the whole major scale and seventh are organized right there around the fundamental bass note.

 

[Walker]

Stradella bass system, built upon the circle of fifths, is indeed a fascinating layout for accordion harmonisation in the left side of the instrument. Dallape of Stradella in Lombardy, Italy (my all-time favourite accordion brand ) is often credited with the development of this layout. However, other musical instruments also make use of the harmonic and melodic potential of note layouts built upon the circle of fifths - including the English Concertina, the Duet Concertina (Hayden system) and the Quint Converter free bass accordion.

Some musicians consider the circle of fifths to be an excellent basis for both harmony and melody - especially diatonic melodies etc. On the other hand, there is a school of thought that considers any layout, other than one based upon half tone increments (chromatic systems), to be an illogical melodic development...​

 

[Jaime_Dergut]

That's a great disccovery, Jaime, and one we all (stradella players) eventually discover snd appreciate! Don't forget that you've also got the (major) 3rd, and all of the other (bass) scale degrees nearby that can also help with counterbass and scale runs. Including the flat 7 (b7) which in your case is A, two buttons "down."

How was the response by people on the streets? Big fun?

It was and I was very excited to finally understand it all by myself.
Women walking nearby just stopped right in front of me and exclaimed "That's awesome!".

I got similar reactions almost everywhere I go.

 

[Tom]

It was and I was very excited to finally understand it all by myself.
Women walking nearby just stopped right in front of me and exclaimed "That's awesome!".

I got similar reactions almost everywhere I go.

Good to hear! My experience too. People love to see an accordion player. Although around here they expect a polka. Which I do give them.....

 

[Jaime_Dergut]

Good to hear! My experience too. People love to see an accordion player. Although around here they expect a polka. Which I do give them.....

Here, they just love to hear whatever I can play. It sounds so good on the quiet neighborhood.
Sometimes, ladies just step out of their houses to say "Thank you for the serenade. That's very nice".


People just love it. It's amazing how this squeeze box is able to bring that much light and joy to others.