Augmented Chords?

[trek4fr]

As we know, larger accordions add a bass row for diminished chords. But how do you create augmented chords on the accordion? Do you just do it with chording on the treble keyboard along with the corresponding bass note? Or is there some other bass/chord method that you use?

Bill

 

[simonking]

One way is to play a 'seventh' chord (with the fifth missing as is usual in post-60's stradella bass), and fill in the augmented fifth on the right hand. So for example, for Caug, play C7 and put the G# in the right hand, giving you a C7aug chord.

However, it is possible to get a decent approximation in the left hand - e.g. for Caug, combine C bass with E7 (a bit of a stretch). What you get is in fact Caug(add9) (C,E,G#,D) but it works and sounds OK. I knew about chord combining but someone pointed this one out to me just the other day.

 

[trek4fr]

Thanks, Simon, that's exactly what I was looking for. :b

 

[Glenn]

However, it is possible to get a decent approximation in the left hand - e.g. for Caug, combine C bass with E7 (a bit of a stretch). What you get is in fact Caug(add9) (C,E,G#,D) but it works and sounds OK. I knew about chord combining but someone pointed this one out to me just the other day.

This is where the 3/3 layout comes in handy to help with the stretch.
The C is more easily reached (eg. top row above the A).
On the Belgian 3/3 it is even above the E on the top row.

 

[simonking]

Ah, but then you don't get the right notes in the seventh chord buttons (diminished instead...).

 

[BobM]

However, it is possible to get a decent approximation in the left hand - e.g. for Caug, combine C bass with E7 (a bit of a stretch). What you get is in fact Caug(add9) (C,E,G#,D) but it works and sounds OK. I knew about chord combining but someone pointed this one out to me just the other day.

This is where the 3/3 layout comes in handy to help with the stretch.
The C is more easily reached (eg. top row above the A).
On the Belgian 3/3 it is even above the E on the top row.[/quote]

I tend to learn these bass/chord combinations so that they fit into (for me) standard repeatable chord patterns and cadences.

Bill, what context are you using this aug chord in?

BobM.

 

[Glenn]

Ah, but then you dont get the right notes in the seventh chord buttons (diminished instead...).

Not quite. You get the 7th chord without the root.
This allows it to combine easily with other bass notes and chords to form some pretty interesting combinations.
I have just bought myself a Roland FR8X and all sorts of options for bass layout are possible.
Ive set mine up as I usually play it on my acoustic instruments but I did note in the layout description that in some cases the 6th row has the root note omitted.

 

[JIM D.]

If you use the orchestral sound "guitar" on the bass of a FR-7x or FR-8x the chord buttons will play "six" notes just like on a six string guitar. :tup:

 

[KLR]

A 140 bass sometimes has an row of augmented chords, if it's that important.

I was thinking about this yesterday and it would be nice if you could play a major chord and push another button to vary the pitch of the fifth - combining the Stradella and free bass systems, in a way.