Stepped vs Non-Stepped

[willclimbs]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking at purchasing my first accordion. I'm on the hunt for a CBA System C.
Recently I was looking at a non-stepped accordion.

I'm wondering if I should be looking only for stepped? Would non-stepped be more difficult to learn?

Thank you!

 

[maugein96]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking at purchasing my first accordion. I'm on the hunt for a CBA System C.
Recently I was looking at a non-stepped accordion.

I'm wondering if I should be looking only for stepped? Would non-stepped be more difficult to learn?

Thank you!

Hi,

I'm guessing you are referring to the rows of buttons on the treble keyboard? 

CBA accordions with "flat" treble keyboards aren't very common, and are mostly found in Switzerland, Sweden, and Serbia. 

The playing technique on both is the same, so one is not more difficult to learn than the other. 

I would imagine CBAs are pretty rare in Canada, and it may be a case of settling for what is available in your area.

 

[george garside]

I have always assumed that the stepped keyboard on a CBA is to facilitate the use of the thumb. On the other hand the British chromatic 3 row box works best with a flat keyboard as the thumb isn't used. For what its worth I have never come across a CBA with a flat keyboard

george

 

[maugein96]

I have always assumed that  the stepped keyboard on a CBA is to facilitate the use of the thumb.   On the other hand  the British chromatic 3 row box works best with a flat keyboard as the thumb isnt used.  For what its worth I have never come across a CBA with a flat keyboard

george

Hi George,

Whilst it is true that Swiss landler players tend not to use their thumbs on their flat CBA keyboard accordions, most Serbs and Swedes use all five right hand fingers on theirs. These days the majority of modern Swedish players appear to prefer stepped keyboards, and the old flat ones, a fair number of which were made by Hagström, are not so common.

The stainless steel keyboard plate on the old Hagström boxes was often buffed up and resembled a mirror, as here:-



The Granesso model was made for years and was one of the most popular CBA accordions in Sweden. It had no treble couplers, and that is what passes for musette tuning in Sweden.

 

[Fabia]

When I chose my first accordion I bought Hohner Compadre accordion and never regretted it. I have useful article for you with comparing accordions https://webproductradar.com/best-accordions-in-the-world

 

[TomBR]

Ultimately the only difference between stepped and flat is the angle at which the buttons are mounted on the keys

 

[Chrisrayner]

I took up the c-system CBA about six months ago.  I bought a very cheap and much used two voice 72 bass Hohner with a flat keyboard.  The reason that I bought such a low value instrument was that at 70 I was not confident that I would be able to learn to play it.

After a couple of months it was clear that with application and practice I would certainly be able to play well enough to satisfy myself, although the feelings of those within earshot might be different.  So I bought another newer Hohner which I hoped would prove lighter and better sounding.  This was a Nova with sixty basses.  It had a stepped keyboard, which I found to be different, but not sufficient to make much difficulty in adapting between the two.

Having progressed in playing last month I decided to go large, as Macdonald’s has it.  I part exchanged both accordions for a 120 bass Paolo Soprani with four voices, innumerable switches, and a casotto.  This, apart from its bulk and weight, makes a lovely sound, and has a stepped keyboard.  It is a delight to play, although I find that my left shoulder aches after an hour of practice.

I would describe the differences between stepped and flat keyboards as trivial.  I also play a number of other instruments, among them diatonic accordions.  So very very different my dear!  I play both stepped and plain keyboards on the diatonics.  If forced to choose I think I’d go for a stepped keyboard, but I think the practical difference is much less of a factor in choosing an instrument than the quality of the sound it makes and the pleasure it gives me in playing it.  In any case, the choice of instruments available to buy in the English speaking world is pretty limited.  If you find one you like and can afford then go and look at it, have a go at playing it and if it seems to answer your requirements purchase it.  You’re a long time dead.

Hope this helps.

 

[debra]

I have both a flat button keyboard (on one accordion, a Hohner (Morino) Artiste XS) and stepped keyboards (on other accordions, Bugari and AKKO) and there is no functional difference regarding the use of the thumb. The flat keyboard allows for smoother glissando, especially going up or down the rows (something I have seen Ludovic Beier do frequently, on a stepped keyboard, where it looks painful), whereas the stepped keyboard makes following the rows a bit easier. All in all no significant difference. The main difference on my accordions is that the Hohner follows the odd Hohner scheme of having marked (textured) buttons for A, C# and G# whereas other brands follow the C and F scheme. (Strangely enough Hohner does mark C on the MIII melody bass.)