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FREE BASS

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Thanks for the interview of Mr Patarini. The lists are not quite complete though. There are more systems than the already large number he mentions. For the treble side he missed for instance the Balgian "Do2" system which is like B-griff but moved one row over so that the C is on the second row. It's a bit like what the Finnish system is in relation to the C-griff.
And for the bass side there is not only reversed B-griff (the Russian system) but also reversed C-griff, which is rather rare but I have seen it. I agree with Mr. Patarini in not being convinced the Russian system is "better" somehow than the European (mirrored) system. On free bass you play lower notes much more than high notes and having the low notes down (Russian system) means that your hand is often in a not so favorable position for good bellows control...
 
On free bass you play lower notes much more than high notes and having the low notes down (Russian system) means that your hand is often in a not so favorable position for good bellows control...

Sometimes you do, but I find with a number of pieces its more convenient to play the high notes with the left hand on H and low notes with the right hand on L.

For example piano score of Yann Tiersen much easier to play legato when swapped around hands for freebass.

score_0.pngScreenshot 2022-01-07 16.11.56.png


I also personally like the total logic of having mirrored CBA in left and right hands. To my eye the instruments look cooler too compared with massive piano keyboards with the players eyes just visible over the top or giant 160 note quint bass systems which look ungainly on all but the tallest performers - I'm certainly to short to carry it off! Two entirely different systems for each hand seems a bit of a giant platypus instrument. As the accordion is a new instrument its still very much in evolution - my money on musical grounds would be on a mirrored CBA and ultimately with the steps on the left hand so you can use the thumb on all rows like you can in the right hand.

But at the end of the day its all about making music, and the best performers are rarely limited by what they are playing!
 
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Absolutely Paul, and the Kravtsov too...
Right, and the Reuters/uniform keyboard too... People keep coming up with new designs all the time.
(A friend of mine has ordered a Kravtsov one. It will be interesting to see how quickly he gets used to it...)
 
Hi everyone,

Now I am not one for getting carried away with speedy music, but I have never seen another accordionist as fast and precise on the bass. To me this is truly staggering. I think this man could be in a league of his own when it comes to technique. Tell me what you think of the free bass technique of Grayson Masefield in this clip...


 
Walker,
An accordion club member once claimed my hand looked like a spider on the bass board: he'd be right here!?
Thanks for sharing!??
 
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Wait till you see the new Squid

Hi everyone,

Now I am not one for getting carried away with speedy music, but I have never seen another accordionist as fast and precise on the bass. To me this is truly staggering. I think this man could be in a league of his own when it comes to technique. Tell me what you think of the free bass technique of Grayson Masefield in this clip...

Not my cup of tea, but amazing. I took a lesson from him once that was really good, he was very perceptive and pointed out things that were right on, better than all my other (5?) lessons combined. I think he would be an awesome teacher if you could get/afford him.
 
Hello everyone,

I had recently posted about the bass technique of Grayson Masefield - it is truly lightning quick, and in all my years listening to classical accordionists, I have never seen an accordion bass that has been attacked with such athleticism.

However, I need to post this video - it went on Youtube today, from Russia! It is of the world-class accordionist, Radu Ratoi. I have heard this man play many times before but this performance is almost too much to take in. Again, I say it, speedy music is not my thing. However, the treble keyboard technique is... well I don't know what to think. Did someone press 'fast forward'?

Tell me what you think...

 
Walker,
Exceptional mastery!??
This is the kind of thing more often seen using a CBA!?
Thanks for sharing!?
 
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Ffingers,
Well spotted: I had to look very hard to see it!?
I'm not even on the same planet as he is , not even the same galaxy, but I do have a sleeve over all of my bass straps to prevent my wrist sticking to the strap when playing : this works very well!?
I can understand why he would want to wear a glove!??
 
Maybe I should have chosen some examples of button accordionists who play with lightning speed. Perhaps, however this would serve to strengthen preconceptions about system superiority, and it would miss the small thing I have tried to whisper all along... The musician makes the difference. I don't believe the type of accordion I play with makes any significant difference to the quality of music I create.

Whilst this is my view on the subject, I will say one last thing, though it is not an original thought. Some will simply say piano is better and some will say button is better etc. There is nothing wrong in believing you are correct, either way. As long as we are also willing to accept the possibility that we are wrong. I will willingly say, that I might well be wrong about all of this - because it is healthy and stops me from becoming entrenched.

I would love to read all thoughts on the free bass thread. I think I have hogged the stage long enough...

 
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