Bass notation

[Cheshire Chris]

I'm starting to learn to play the bass side of the accordion using the book "Melodic Adventures in Bass-Land", one of the supplementary books to the Palmer-Hughes course.

As I understand it, each counter-bass key is a major third higher than the bass key in the same column, and I can hear that the counter-bass "E" is indeed a third higher than the bass "C". This, however, is part of one of the first exercises in the book:



The counter-bass keys are indicated with an underscore. I'm puzzled by why it is that the counter-bass "E" is written on the first ledger line below the bass stave. Given that it's higher than the C bass (which is written in the second space), should it not be written an octave higher than it is - ie in the third space of the stave?

Can anyone explain?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[Glug]

Hiya,
The way it works is below the middle of the bass stave is bass and counterbass notes, above the middle is chords. So the E above that bass C would be an E chord not an E bass.

See http://www.zisman.ca/squeezebox/About Accordion Bass Notation.pdf
It's worth taking a copy of that PDF.

Also the bass C actually plays up to 5 Cs in different octaves depending what bass register is selected and how many bass reed blocks you have (normally 4 or 5). It's usually C2+C3+C4+C5+C6 on master register.

 

[Cheshire Chris]

Got it, thanks! So C bass is the highest bass notated, and all bass melodies are written in the octave of which "C" is the highest note.

 

[debra]

In Stradella each note plays in different octaves simultaneously. There is an octave jump somewhere but accordions try to hide where it is. (The combination of different octaves to hide an octave jump is called "Shepard tone").
The notation follows the actual base note in the bass of a full size accordion with melody bass: the E is the lowest note, then it goes up and up and E flat is the highest note. On some accordions C is the lowest notes, and on some others it's A... so there is no notation that will correspond to all accordions.

 

[Cheshire Chris]

Thanks, Paul!

 

[JeffJetton]

And, to complicate things further, sometimes you'll see the C bass written an octave lower, using two ledger lines. In fact, you'll see that on the next page of your book.

It's still indicating that you should press the same C-bass button you know and love though. Merely an alternate way of notating it (at the discretion of whomever is doing the notating... often to better convey the underlying melodic relationships).

 

[Cheshire Chris]

Thanks, Jeff. That's very helpful to know!

Chris

 

[Cheshire Chris]

What's the lowest (notated) note I'm likely to have to recognise on the bass clef in accordion music? I slightly struggle with large numbers of bass clef ledger lines at present due to lack of familiarity. Most of the piano music I've played hasn't gone that low ?.

 

[debra]

Low C is the lowest note you likely have to recognise. The reason for this is that this low C is the lowest reed that is being made, and which is available on most bass accordions. If you ever encounter accordion music with a note lower than that low C you know that it is written by someone who hasn't a clue about accordions (or who has just been sloppy). The low C is also the lowest note on a double base.

 

[Cheshire Chris]

Thanks, Paul. Two ledger lines I can cope with ?.

 

[Zevy]

The low C is also the lowest note on a double base.

99% of double basses go down to E. Some have extensions. The lowest note of the Cello (and viola) is C. I'm sorry to get technical .