Old accordion register notation

[Tor]

I have a few books of some rather nice arrangements of accordion music, published in the thirties and forties.

A couple are from the "Everybody's Favorite" series, and the other is from the "Robbin's Mammoth" series. The registration symbols are helpfully said to mean "register on" and "register off". From the pieces I'm guessing register on means something closer to a master, and register off is something lighter.

The Everybody's Favorite uses an asterisk in a circle for register off, and an "R" in a circle for register on. Robbin's Mammoth uses an "F" in a circle for "Register switch open," and an "S" in a circle for "register switch closed."

In practice I'm probably best off trying some sounds to see what I like, especially as I have quite a few more stops available. Nevertheless, I'm curious, as I wasn't able to find anything about this online. Is anyone familiar with either of these markings for accordions, and what reed sets the arranger was likely expecting?

 

[Alan Sharkis]

I have a few books of some rather nice arrangements of accordion music, published in the thirties and forties.

A couple are from the "Everybody's Favorite" series, and the other is from the "Robbin's Mammoth" series.  The registration symbols are helpfully said to mean "register on" and "register off".  From the pieces I'm guessing register on means something closer to a master, and register off is something lighter.

The Everybody's Favorite uses an asterisk in a circle for register off, and an "R" in a circle for register on.  Robbin's Mammoth uses an "F" in a circle for "Register switch open," and an "S" in a circle for "register switch closed."

In practice I'm probably best off trying some sounds to see what I like, especially as I have quite a few more stops available.  Nevertheless, I'm curious, as I wasn't able to find anything about this online.  Is anyone familiar with either of these markings for accordions, and what reed sets the arranger was likely expecting? 

In the late forties and early fifties I was taking lessons for the first time and using the Everybody’s Favorites books. My teacher at that time interpreted the symbols as you did. Since I had an LMH accordion, the circled R meant LMH and the circled asterisk meant MH. 

My current teacher is about a decade younger than I. He doesn’t remember seeing those symbols at all.

 

[JeffJetton]

Yeah, I have an "Everybody's Favorite", plus some other books that use a similar notation. Interestingly, Palmer-Hughes' "Frosini Highlights" uses R and *, and it's only from 1963 and still actively published!

Anyway, I've been interpreting the R as LMH and the * as MM, but I think the "period correct" registers are more like Alan says. Or perhaps it's more like LM vs. M (no H)?

I have a copy of "Guido Deiro's Royal Method for Piano Accordion" (1936) where, on page 8, it has a section called "The Switch", with a diagram of an accordion with a palm switch--and only a palm switch. No other register switches above the keyboard or anything. I guess that's how they made 'em back then.

The text reads:

The switch is an attachment found on the late model instruments. When open it causes an additional octave to be added below the keyboard notes being played. Its use is indicated by the words OPEN SWITCH or R, and its discontinuance by CLOSED SWITCH or *.

Hope that helps!

  - Jeff

 

[Tor]

In the late forties and early fifties I was taking lessons for the first time and using the Everybody’s Favorites books. My teacher at that time interpreted the symbols as you did. Since I had an LMH accordion, the circled R meant LMH and the circled asterisk meant MH.

My current teacher is about a decade younger than I. He doesn’t remember seeing those symbols at all.

Thanks. Nice have someone agree with me. I suspect these books are among the last deliberately arranged for accordion in the US by a competent editor that don't use the modern standard, since the standard was published in the thirties. Even the two later Everybody's Favorite books I have seem to just not offer registration suggestions.


Jeff, thanks for providing that nice, clear definition you found.

I suppose on a modern four reed accordion, it probably makes sense to treat these markings as at least a strong suggestion for usage of the bassoon reeds only, and other reed sets should be adjusted to taste.

 

[Zevy]

Interestingly, Palmer-Hughes' "Frosini Highlights" uses R and *, and it's only from 1963 and still actively published!

The Frosini book is compiled of reprinted material from the 1930's and 40's. I have a replica of one of the old accordions with only one switch. It would merely mute the lower set(s) of reeds. So R would mean full voice and * would indicate that the lower voice should be muted.