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CJS bass system (Chiovarelli Jazz System)

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The potential for this system is pretty awesome... however I couldn't work out from the literature how the chords are stacked...I'd be real interested to know ..
Ideally for me
Major is 1 and 3rd
Minor is 1 and b5th
7th is 3rd and 7th and dim is b3rd and b7th
Tell me what you know...
I did contact as going to Turin sometime this year where they are and they said conversion could be done on 3 days...
 
Actually, the Stradella system allows playing already almost all chords (except augmented). Surely, it can play all chords heard in these videos and I assume that the chords combination doesn't change at all.
Maybe it's possible to build some extended chords combining more chords than on a regular Stradella but I'm not sure this is a real improvement.
 
@Lucio76 -Absolutely a great many chords are possible with stradella bass. It is a marvel.

There is a website, it's in Italian and so unfortunately I cannot read the full details.


I suspect there is reasoning behind the development of this system.

I am content with stradella and quint free bass (the simple extension of stradella bass). However, I would be interested to hear your considered opinion - if you get the chance to read the CJS website contents.
 
That map of actual notes has convinced me to go for the conversion...thank you..
I agree the possibilities available with the stradella are truly great... however by missing out notes the opportunity to play neater lines on the right are greatly improved....I can see the attraction already...I will probably go for this if in Turin and accessible...however this is also swayed by the fact I have acquired the right hand quality of reeds and tone I desire. ..
Wonderful days these...wonderful
 
I assume that this system has some qualities since all the best Italian accordionists are saying that it's a good idea.

"The System is designed to play precombined basses, double basses and bichords; with the intervals that are formed it is finally possible to have easy access to a whole series of harmonies hitherto inaccessible or almost with all the systems conceived up to now. It seems paradoxical but the fact of having fewer voices within the precombined chords gives us the freedom to be able to play many more chords, otherwise impossible to achieve."

I don't know what extra chords he is mentioning, I didn't find a list.

"It is a system that eliminates unnecessary doubling and that speaks a language that the jazz player recognizes the most, made up of thirds-sevenths, fourths intervals and more "drained" chords."


Obviously, it's very interesting and maybe, it sounds a little neater, I like innovations so...well done, however, I'm not sure if such details make a noticeable difference.

In my opinion, it's a good idea if you play only jazz or "modern" music...otherwise, we are talking about a less versatile instrument since as reported by one of those accordionists:

"...the use of this system, compared to the three notes, a bit inconvenient for the performance of classical music where the chords usually used are few, and perhaps this is why it is called "Jazz System";"

Anyway, I'm not sure if there's a converter that allows inserting the missing notes. In this case, my critic wouldn't be legit.
 
Very nice analysis Lucio76, you are a wizard of stradella system and it's theoretical and practical uses. I think CJS is quite cool for the right musicians though.

Some of my favourite accordion music is the mid century Italian compositions (by Melocchi, Fancelli, Farina etc.) played by Marcosignori and Benetello on a Super VI/Artist VI. Stradella bass can be so artful and sublime.​
 
@Lucio76 -Absolutely a great many chords are possible with stradella bass. It is a marvel.

There is a website, it's in Italian and so unfortunately I cannot read the full details.


I suspect there is reasoning behind the development of this system.

I am content with stradella and quint free bass (the simple extension of stradella bass). However, I would be interested to hear your considered opinion - if you get the chance to read the CJS website contents.
Just left click on page and it should give you option to translate if using Google, not sure about Bing or other browsers.

Wish I had learned on a bassetti or free bass instead of Stradella. I did learn some later in my training that I used for classical numbers but still mostly use SStradella for "popular" music. Free Bass is the ultimate in possibilities.
 
Mike K - Yes I agree free bass is great and it gives freedom. I adore quint free bass, because it builds on your stradella technique and can be learned very quickly (other systems are available :)). But we should cherish stradella bass, it can be wonderful too on the right music, that's why converter instruments are the standard these days - though I have full respect for bassetti/MIII (S. Dominko et al).
 
The stradella is great ...I adore the accordion.... however that chord system can be a bit 'busy' at times if you want to play an Aug 5th.. or some 2nd or 9th chords on the right.. pah. And I'm only a beginner....help me lord..?
 
I think CJS is quite cool for the right musicians though.
Yes, absolutely.
Even the fact that can play two major 3rd to get aug chords could be more than interesting for someone.
Too bad the book is not free, I'm sure that it would help to get a better understanding of the potential of this system.
 
Actually, the Stradella system allows playing already almost all chords (except augmented). Surely, it can play all chords heard in these videos and I assume that the chords combination doesn't change at all.
Maybe it's possible to build some extended chords combining more chords than on a regular Stradella but I'm not sure this is a real improvement.
Well, after reading the book and testing the accordion presented by Mr. Chiovarelli, I must say that the scope of this modification of the Stradella bass system is absolutely revolutionary. My initial impression was completely off the mark.

As simple as the concept of reducing the voices of harmony in the basses may be, it is undeniable that it expands the potential of the accordion incredibly.




Regarding the accompaniment of traditional and folk music, well, yes, there are only two notes under one button, but even if played as a standard accordion, the difference is minimal and I wouldn't be concerned. Of course, it is possible to play full major, minor, 7th, and diminished chords as well, just in a different way.

The left hand button board can really play any chord. The CJS effectively knocks down that wall of limitations and compromises that are inherent in the Stradella system. An accordion equipped with the CJS offers unexplored possibilities and it will be difficult to witness another such important evolution in a lifetime.
 
I neglected to mention the register switches, which are a particularly interesting feature. Mechanically, they have a much less significant impact on the projection of sound because they don't cover a third of the front grill, as most switch mechanisms do. They allow for many combinations in a smaller space and, once again, offer possibilities that are not possible on standard accordions.

 
The left hand button board can really play any chord. The CJS effectively knocks down that wall of limitations and compromises that are inherent in the Stradella system. An accordion equipped with the CJS offers unexplored possibilities and it will be difficult to witness another such important evolution in a lifetime.
In Inverness we would say, "aye, it's not bad, right enough"
 
Well, after reading the book and testing the accordion presented by Mr. Chiovarelli, I must say that the scope of this modification of the Stradella bass system is absolutely revolutionary. My initial impression was completely off the mark.
I wonder if there might be an English version of the book in the works? It looks like some of the site and facebook posts are in English as it is.
 
@Lucio76 -Absolutely a great many chords are possible with stradella bass. It is a marvel.

There is a website, it's in Italian and so unfortunately I cannot read the full details.


I suspect there is reasoning behind the development of this system.

I am content with stradella and quint free bass (the simple extension of stradella bass). However, I would be interested to hear your considered opinion - if you get the chance to read the CJS website contents.
If Roland were to offer this as an alternate LH I’d b very tempted.
As a Barry Harris affectionado, the holy grail is 6th chords, which don’ t exist in any Stradella variant, even as a combo. (please correct me if I’m wrong.)
With the 2 note chords in this system, everything becomes possible.
Less really is more.
 
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Thank you all for your interest in our new harmonic system. We are always available for any questions or concerns! Barry Harris was, so to speak, the one who opened up my harmonic vision and this system, if it hadn't been for him, I don't think it would have ever existed. I've personally studied almost all of his tutorials and his music, definitely stemming from Bud Powell and all that vein. This system opens up a still unexplored world for the left manual of the accordion.
info@chiovarellijazzsystem.com
 
Thank you all for your interest in our new harmonic system. We are always available for any questions or concerns! Barry Harris was, so to speak, the one who opened up my harmonic vision and this system, if it hadn't been for him, I don't think it would have ever existed. I've personally studied almost all of his tutorials and his music, definitely stemming from Bud Powell and all that vein. This system opens up a still unexplored world for the left manual of the accordion.
info@chiovarellijazzsystem.com
♥️ So I’ll ask here what I asked on you ‘contact us’ form… Have you been able to engage Roland about getting this added to the Roland FR series midi accordions as an optional LH configuration?
 
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