100th day check in: Badinerie

[breezybellows]

I've been learning this song for about 100 days now. I didn't learn the second section until last month. Since then, I've been practicing by playing ten repetitions each day.

 

[96Bass]

This is really great. Nice work with the left hand. Is that a quintbass system?
Just my preference, but I really like your videos played on acoustic accordion.

 

[breezybellows]

This is really great. Nice work with the left hand. Is that a quintbass system?
Just my preference, but I really like your videos played on acoustic accordion.

Thank you! It is a C system Chromatic free bass. I like playing the acoustic accordion too.

 

[96Bass]

I've seen you playing a Petosa Artista Pro (maple) on some of your videos. What is your opinion of this accordion. How does it rank compared to your others? You seem to have a collection of very nice accordion!

 

[breezybellows]

I've seen you playing a Petosa Artista Pro (maple) on some of your videos. What is your opinion of this accordion. How does it rank compared to your others? You seem to have a collection of very nice accordion!

That is my favorite accordion. There are certain aspects in other Accordions that I like more, but as a full package the Artista pro xt will be my #1 pick. That is the reason that I ended up using this accordion for all of the competitions (except one) I've participated in. If only it had a free bass converter without making the dimensions bigger, this will be a dream machine.

These are what I like about my other full size Accordions and how they compare to the Artista pro.

1. 1959 Petosa chambertone
   • Has the best bass sound I've heard out of an accordion. The bass reeds can get very very loud but they are not noisy. The chords on the left hand just sing. Its just brilliant. Guidobaldi reeds at its best. My teacher Mike Zampiceni who has been an Excelsior guy listened to this and told me that this was the best sound he's heard out of an accordion.
   • Treble reeds are also equally powerful to create a great balance between left and right hand.
   • Ergonomics are great as well.
   • The keyboard makes too much noise. I make more mistakes when I play on this keyboard. I think the action is a little bit different. I definitely like the keyboard action on my Artista pro better than this.
   • Apart from the keyboard action, this is a beast.
2. Siwa & Figli Yavor tone chamber accordion
   • This accordion has specifications that are very similar to the Petosa Artista pro xt. Maple body. Hand Made reeds and tone chamber.
   • The handmade Binci reeds on this accordion produce a very sweet sound. The response is great (as good as my artista pro). I'd say the tone is sweeter than the artista pro. The resonance is actually a little better than the artista pro.
   • Has a low G bass configuration. The bass is deep and strong (but the 1959 chambertone will beat any bass sound hands down). Compared to the artista pro, the bass sound is very different. I like them both equally.
   • Keyboard action is as good as the artista pro.
   • The body of the accordion is bigger than the artista pro. Ergonomically, its very well balanced. But when I play the artista pro, I can appreciate how compact it is. The artista pro is easier to handle.
   • Thanks to reed response and ergonomics, this is one of the few accordions in which I can execute bellows shake well. Although I can do it better on the artista pro.
   • The workmanship and finish is a little sloppy. The board which has the holes for the bass buttons is cut crooked and has some open holes at the top. This was something that is disappointing for a high end model.
3. 2022 Petosa AM 1100 Century Edition (blue star reeds)
   • The tone and reed response is a little better than the Artista pro. Not sure if its better but its definitely different. The tone is as sweet and resonant as the Siwa Yavor.
   • Comes with extra set replaceable reed blocks to switch between LMMH (unison tuning) and LMMM (wet tuning).
   • The bass reeds sound good but nothing like the 1959 Petosa chambertone.
   • The cabinet feels bulkier than older AM 1100s. Ergonomics are a significantly more challenging compared to the Artista Pro. I might need more time to get adjusted, but I don't think I'll ever feel as comfortable as I feel with the artista pro. For the love of God, I can not execute a bellows shake on this one. The reeds respond very well, but the ergonomics make it harder.
4. Giulietti Super Model V Free bass accordion.
   • This is the accordion I'm playing in the original post. Top of the line Golden Age Giulietti.
   • Overall, its a great accordion. Extended keyboard that is great for classical music.
   • The response on the lower Bass reeds is not great.
   • My primary accordion for all things free bass (until I get a new converter accordion that I'm in the process of ordering).
5. Solloni Custom Converter Accordion (From Kevin Solecki's Carnegie accordion company)
   • Fantastic sound on the free bass reeds (especially the lower reeds). I like the sound better than the Giulietti Super.
   • Treble reeds also sound great.
   • Response on the bass reeds is not great. Almost impossible to do a bellows shake. Reed response and ergonomics are both not ideal.
   • Keyboard action is as good as the artista pro.
   • Has six sets of reeds on the bass, so the accordion is very thick. Probably the heaviest accordion I own.
   • For a long time, I wasn't sure whether I liked the sound of the Giulietti Super V or this one. After spending a few months with both, I'm very surprised that I like this one better.

Overall, if I had to pick only one accordion from the lot I'll always go for the artista pro.
But I'll need a second accordion for free bass.


This ended up being much longer than what I expected.

 

[debra]

You are definitely getting there! Only between 50 and 100% more speed and it will be perfect. Maybe another 100 days?...

 

[Tom]

Wow! That’s lots of nice accordions, congrats! I respectfully disagree with Paul, not convinced that more speed will improve the song, although your familiarity and ease of playing it over time will. I don’t know how fast it’s “supposed to be,” I didn’t get the memo. Anyway, your videos are inspiring, I like your Moon River.

 

[debra]

Wow! That’s lots of nice accordions, congrats! I respectfully disagree with Paul, not convinced that more speed will improve the song, although your familiarity and ease of playing it over time will. I don’t know how fast it’s “supposed to be,” I didn’t get the memo. Anyway, your videos are inspiring, I like your Moon River.

I'm certainly no authority about the "required" speed. My own version of (Menuet and) Badinerie is a lot faster, but it is an ensemble arrangement and thus a lot easier to play as nobody needs to play with both hands.
Here is that recording by Professor P. Badinerie starts at 1:16 into the recording. (The melody is played on accordina.)

 

[Tom]

I'm certainly no authority about the "required" speed. My own version of (Menuet and) Badinerie is a lot faster, but it is an ensemble arrangement and thus a lot easier to play as nobody needs to play with both hands.
Here is that recording by Professor P. Badinerie starts at 1:16 into the recording. (The melody is played on accordina.)

Well, that’s great! But obviously a matter of taste, or I’m getting old and tired and slower sounds better…..lol

 

[96Bass]

That is my favorite accordion. There are certain aspects in other Accordions that I like more, but as a full package the Artista pro xt will be my #1 pick. That is the reason that I ended up using this accordion for all of the competitions (except one) I've participated in. If only it had a free bass converter without making the dimensions bigger, this will be a dream machine.

These are what I like about my other full size Accordions and how they compare to the Artista pro.

1. 1959 Petosa chambertone
   • Has the best bass sound I've heard out of an accordion. The bass reeds can get very very loud but they are not noisy. The chords on the left hand just sing. Its just brilliant. Guidobaldi reeds at its best. My teacher Mike Zampiceni who has been an Excelsior guy listened to this and told me that this was the best sound he's heard out of an accordion.
   • Treble reeds are also equally powerful to create a great balance between left and right hand.
   • Ergonomics are great as well.
   • The keyboard makes too much noise. I make more mistakes when I play on this keyboard. I think the action is a little bit different. I definitely like the keyboard action on my Artista pro better than this.
   • Apart from the keyboard action, this is a beast.
2. Siwa & Figli Yavor tone chamber accordion
   • This accordion has specifications that are very similar to the Petosa Artista pro xt. Maple body. Hand Made reeds and tone chamber.
   • The handmade Binci reeds on this accordion produce a very sweet sound. The response is great (as good as my artista pro). I'd say the tone is sweeter than the artista pro. The resonance is actually a little better than the artista pro.
   • Has a low G bass configuration. The bass is deep and strong (but the 1959 chambertone will beat any bass sound hands down). Compared to the artista pro, the bass sound is very different. I like them both equally.
   • Keyboard action is as good as the artista pro.
   • The body of the accordion is bigger than the artista pro. Ergonomically, its very well balanced. But when I play the artista pro, I can appreciate how compact it is. The artista pro is easier to handle.
   • Thanks to reed response and ergonomics, this is one of the few accordions in which I can execute bellows shake well. Although I can do it better on the artista pro.
   • The workmanship and finish is a little sloppy. The board which has the holes for the bass buttons is cut crooked and has some open holes at the top. This was something that is disappointing for a high end model.
3. 2022 Petosa AM 1100 Century Edition (blue star reeds)
   • The tone and reed response is a little better than the Artista pro. Not sure if its better but its definitely different. The tone is as sweet and resonant as the Siwa Yavor.
   • Comes with extra set replaceable reed blocks to switch between LMMH (unison tuning) and LMMM (wet tuning).
   • The bass reeds sound good but nothing like the 1959 Petosa chambertone.
   • The cabinet feels bulkier than older AM 1100s. Ergonomics are a significantly more challenging compared to the Artista Pro. I might need more time to get adjusted, but I don't think I'll ever feel as comfortable as I feel with the artista pro. For the love of God, I can not execute a bellows shake on this one. The reeds respond very well, but the ergonomics make it harder.
4. Giulietti Super Model V Free bass accordion.
   • This is the accordion I'm playing in the original post. Top of the line Golden Age Giulietti.
   • Overall, its a great accordion. Extended keyboard that is great for classical music.
   • The response on the lower Bass reeds is not great.
   • My primary accordion for all things free bass (until I get a new converter accordion that I'm in the process of ordering).
5. Solloni Custom Converter Accordion (From Kevin Solecki's Carnegie accordion company)
   • Fantastic sound on the free bass reeds (especially the lower reeds). I like the sound better than the Giulietti Super.
   • Treble reeds also sound great.
   • Response on the bass reeds is not great. Almost impossible to do a bellows shake. Reed response and ergonomics are both not ideal.
   • Keyboard action is as good as the artista pro.
   • Has six sets of reeds on the bass, so the accordion is very thick. Probably the heaviest accordion I own.
   • For a long time, I wasn't sure whether I liked the sound of the Giulietti Super V or this one. After spending a few months with both, I'm very surprised that I like this one better.

Overall, if I had to pick only one accordion from the lot I'll always go for the artista pro.
But I'll need a second accordion for free bass.


This ended up being much longer than what I expected.

Hi Joseph, Thank you for taking the time to write such excellent and comprehensive information! I put a deposit on an Artista Pro (96 bass) over two years ago. Last I heard, it was due to be ready for delivery sometime this month. I ordered the LMMM. From listening to your videos, my best guess is you have the LMMH. I see you are in the Bay Area. In what city do you live? I am in the North Bay, in Sebastopol.

 

[Walker]

I put a deposit on an Artista Pro (96 bass) over two years ago. Last I heard, it was due to be ready for delivery sometime this month.

Well done 96Bass. That sounds like a very nice accordion. Maple is a bonnie wood, especially with the "tiger stipes". Many a good fiddle was made from a maple tree.

 

[saundersbp]

I respectfully disagree with Paul, not convinced that more speed will improve the song, although your familiarity and ease of playing it over time will. I don’t know how fast it’s “supposed to be,” I didn’t get the memo.

Congratulations! If you are brave enough to post live playing I guess you want feedback. Its really good, a touch faster would be nice, but the main thing by far is that the way you are playing it it sounds like there are 4 beats in a bar rather than 2, that why it doesn't quite flow yet. Personally I'd tone down the detached touch a lot and try and feel the bigger shape in the music ensuring it flows with just two connected pulses per bar. I'd be trying to feel the bass shape first and foremost and then the tune will sit on top like icing on a non-lumpy cake.
Great stuff though!

 

[breezybellows]

You are definitely getting there! Only between 50 and 100% more speed and it will be perfect. Maybe another 100 days?...

I'll be glad to see continued progress on this. I'm already super happy with how it has come along.

 

[breezybellows]

Wow! That’s lots of nice accordions, congrats! I respectfully disagree with Paul, not convinced that more speed will improve the song, although your familiarity and ease of playing it over time will. I don’t know how fast it’s “supposed to be,” I didn’t get the memo. Anyway, your videos are inspiring, I like your Moon River.

All the flute performances of this song I've heard are incredibly fast. Typically, they finish the piece in 1:15 seconds. I lag by 30 seconds.

Where I am right now, I want to make it sound better before I speed it up. I'm not able to capture the beauty of the tune like the flutists do. I'm going to dig deeper into the suggestions given be @saundersbp

 

[breezybellows]

Congratulations! If you are brave enough to post live playing I guess you want feedback. Its really good, a touch faster would be nice, but the main thing by far is that the way you are playing it it sounds like there are 4 beats in a bar rather than 2, that why it doesn't quite flow yet. Personally I'd tone down the detached touch a lot and try and feel the bigger shape in the music ensuring it flows with just two connected pulses per bar. I'd be trying to feel the bass shape first and foremost and then the tune will sit on top like icing on a non-lumpy cake.
Great stuff though!

Thank you for the tips. Of course I appreciate feedback. To be honest I've never paid much attention to the difference between 4/4 and 2/4. I just play notes. While I don't fully understand how much this to is going to improve the song, I can clearly see that my version sounds too plain and lifeless compared to what I hear from the flute renditions.

 

[breezybellows]

Hi Joseph, Thank you for taking the time to write such excellent and comprehensive information! I put a deposit on an Artista Pro (96 bass) over two years ago. Last I heard, it was due to be ready for delivery sometime this month. I ordered the LMMM. From listening to your videos, my best guess is you have the LMMH. I see you are in the Bay Area. In what city do you live? I am in the North Bay, in Sebastopol.

That's awesome! I'm excited for you. I live in Fremont. We should meet up when you're free. We can try out our Accordions together.

 

[Ric46]

I am by no means an expert in classical music, but I will say my piece as well. Looking at sheet music I found that the tempo (speed) is often marked as Allegro so, with good approximation, around 120 bpm. Then surely slower and also much faster versions will exist. The one, beautiful one, posted by "breezy" is around 90 bpm. Sorry but in the end I am still a drummer....

 

[Tom]

Well done 96Bass. That sounds like a very nice accordion. Maple is a bonnie wood, especially with the "tiger stipes". Many a good fiddle was made from a maple tree.

Ditto on 96bass! I’m surrounded by maple. I burn probably a cord a year, make syrup, and the leaves are the main ingredient in my garden compost. I’d love to do some more milling some day too, and try one of the fancy wooden accordions. In fact I’m “leaving” now. Sorry, jk!

 

[OuijaBoard]

Your list omitted the sparkling sapphire blue color and frolicking sea creatures that adorn that delightful custom Solloni. I like flame maple, but sea, stars, and porpoises at play are hard to beat!

 

[breezybellows]

Your list omitted the sparkling sapphire blue color and frolicking sea creatures that adorn that delightful custom Solloni. I like flame maple, but sea, stars, and porpoises at play are hard to beat!

I did include it. It's #5. My wife and I designed the looks of that one. Actually we didn't fully design it. We described our idea in words. Kevin made some sketches and repeated it until we got something we liked. It was a fun process.