Which free bass system?

[EdBouchard]

Interesting kerfluffle on a subject of interest in an accordion forum.

The point of the orignal question was which system is suited for


Given that Ms. R probably intends to play this on her compact Roland -which would allow her to use many schemes, none of which match the range (or heft) of the Steinway minus steamer trunk models of the mega accordions discussed above- the real issues at hand are; applicablilty, ease of learning, and most likely to enhance her existing skill set.

Good point! On a Roland with a PA treble keyboard, a C-system free bass would be quite intuitive for this immediate need.
For whatever musical demands might come up in the future, a chromatic free bass is a proven good choice. It’s such a logical layout, which is why it’s also often a preferred choice for the treble keyboard too. I don’t believe anyone has ever made a custom quint treble keyboard.

 

[Walker]

I don’t believe anyone has ever made a custom quint treble keyboard.

Now there's a thought... I've often considered learning to play the Hayden Duet Concertina, it's left and right hand keyboard design is fundamentally based on fifths. Thing is, there's always something to marvel at; always something fresh, new and fascinating, while the world keeps on spinning round and round like the circle of fifths.

Here a little tune for you Ed, on the Array mbira. Enjoy!

 

[Rosie C]

Given that Ms. R probably intends to play this on her compact Roland -which would allow her to use many schemes, none of which match the range (or heft) of the Steinway minus steamer trunk models of the mega accordions discussed above- the real issues at hand are; applicablilty, ease of learning, and most likely to enhance her existing skill set.

That is true, but as I didn't know anything about free bass I've found it a very useful & instructive discussion!

" her existing skill set "

yes, and that is partly in another incarnation she
is a Bass player, and so i expect her left hand is
always going to have an affinity to how a bass
player thinks and moves and anticipates

This is very true. I play double bass in folk, jazz and worship settings, but it tends to be much the same thing - root & 5 notes, with little runs at the end of sections. When I play accordion, it tends to be root-chord, or when the chords are spread too widely, I swap to single bass notes using the root and third bass rows.

Good point! On a Roland with a PA treble keyboard, a C-system free bass would be quite intuitive for this immediate need.
For whatever musical demands might come up in the future, a chromatic free bass is a proven good choice. It’s such a logical layout, which is why it’s also often a preferred choice for the treble keyboard too. I don’t believe anyone has ever made a custom quint treble keyboard.

I've been looking at the diagrams some more, and I like that Quint extends the layout of the Stradella bass notes. The thirds layouts are a new scheme to learn, and I think I would like that more if the whole button board changed, rather than have the bottom two rows staying in the stradella layout. Anyway, I shall be trying Quint today and I'll report back!