Beemer
Active member
I hear differences in selected bass registers but I would like to understand exactly what these specific symbols are illustrating in relation to the five reed sets.
Please describe these bass registers
- Thread starter Beemer
- Start date
The wikipedia page has a list of bass registers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stradella_bass_system
Unfortunately they're not particularly standardised so the easiest way to see what your accordion does is to take the bass off and see what sliders the switches are operating - I've had to do that on all my accordions.
However the diagram does give an idea of the usual selection:
Unfortunately they're not particularly standardised so the easiest way to see what your accordion does is to take the bass off and see what sliders the switches are operating - I've had to do that on all my accordions.
However the diagram does give an idea of the usual selection:
Beemer
Active member
Thanks for your reply and the chart. I followed the link and at the bottom found this:
My head is stll reeling from reading its outlining of bass registers and reed sets and how they relate to notation. I am so glad that my formal tuition was on piano and not orchestral accordion. My admiration for those that play that style has increased immeasurably.
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Here's the easy version:
Official notation for the standard accordion 1938
Official notation for the standard accordion 1938
Beemer
Active member
That is basic notation but a world away from the complexity within the link I referred to. 
I have looked at my Scandalli reed blocks and noted the effect of each slider but since notes cannot then be played I was not able to identfy the scale range of each block then relate it to the seven registers. My current approach is to content myself with the chart you gave me disregarding the soprano reeds. It is strange to me that the tenor and soft tenor buttons are wide apart on my accordion.
I have looked at my Scandalli reed blocks and noted the effect of each slider but since notes cannot then be played I was not able to identfy the scale range of each block then relate it to the seven registers. My current approach is to content myself with the chart you gave me disregarding the soprano reeds. It is strange to me that the tenor and soft tenor buttons are wide apart on my accordion.
You should be able to guess the range by measuring the length of the shortest reed tongue in each block (not the plate, the tongue).
I've got a 50's Scandalli with 6 bass register switches:
1 top) Tenor (TAS)
2) Soft Bass (BTC)
3) Master (BTCAS)
4) Soft Tenor (TA)
5) TCA
6 bottom) CAS
There's an interesting discussion of bass register choice here: https://www.accordionists.info/threads/stradella-register-choice.7608/#post-80087
I've got a 50's Scandalli with 6 bass register switches:
1 top) Tenor (TAS)
2) Soft Bass (BTC)
3) Master (BTCAS)
4) Soft Tenor (TA)
5) TCA
6 bottom) CAS
There's an interesting discussion of bass register choice here: https://www.accordionists.info/threads/stradella-register-choice.7608/#post-80087
