Stradella bass layour with FBbEb diatonic treble

[glenmichael]

Am looking for the layout for Stradella bass which is used when playing FBbEb diatonic treble button accordion right hand. On a GCF the normal layout is ok since the DO note is centered. Do I need a Bb in place of the DO.. and all notes shifted to accomodate ?.. I was told by reputable manufacturer here in Italy that the normal Stradella bass needs modifying if not playing in GCF or BCC#. Thanks for any help. I need a layout to send to my tuner.

 

[TomBR]

How many basses does the accordion have? There's no change to the Stradella layout, it's just a question of where you centre it, as you say. On a layout with a bit of "wrap-around" ie 16 or 20 "rows" of bass buttons it's less crucial and a standard bass layout might do. With 48,60 or 72 it's more important. With 8x6 48 bass or less it would be really important. With Bb as your middle right hand buttons the obvious answer is to shift everything two rows up (ie by two fifths musically) so that your Bb basses are where C normally is. If the reed plates in each rank are the same size it should be easy.

 

[glenmichael]

Thanks much. It is a 96 bass Soprani.. which was a BCC#.. which am having coverted to FBbEb.. I'll pass this info on to my tuner.. and if anyone finds a pre-existing layout for this.. I'd appreciate it.. I'm still looking. Thanks. greetings from Italy.

 

[george garside]

in that case you don't need to do anything with the bass as they are quite happy playing in F,Bb,Eb, Ab or whatever. Just don't tell the bass you have altered the treble end and they won't worry about it!

george

 

[george garside]

Glenmichael. Have just re read your original post in which you say you are HAVING your BCC# box converted to F<Bb>Eb. If the work on it hasn't been started it may be worth considering getting the hang of playing those keys on it as a BCC# . Its not difficult A played on the inside rows becomes Bb ,D becomes Eb, E becomes F and if you want it G becomes Ab! .

The beauty of the BCC# is that you only need to learn 5 scales to play all 12 major scales. i.e. it is chromatic.

george

 

[JIM D.]

Good Advice George :tup:

 

[glenmichael]

Thanks for all the generous advice friends. I'm an older player.. with a very limited repertoire.. and have only played GCF, FBbEb, EAD boxes ( Corona or others ) on treble layout.. but wanted to learn Stradella bass.. I was told GCF would require no shifting of hands or notes.. as the DO note ( C ) stays the same. Whereas , if I put FBbEb treble reeds in I'll need the DO ( C ) note to be an A sharp / B flat..and to shift all notes accordingly .. an expensive and labour intensive job I suppose. I will never master the BC or CC# or the Continental chromatic layout.. though I am aware of its advantages.. so If I understand correctly on a 96 bass box.. I should just leave the Stradella bass as is, even if swapping treble out to FBbEb ..

 

[TomBR]

With a 96 bass you should be fine with the bass left as it is. Just a matter of recognising that your Bb row is two places down from the indented C bass button.
You may never reach the ends of your bass buttons, but you could have things shifted later if you need to. You won't have to "re-learn" at that point if you do.

 

[dunlustin]

Having played ADG (12 bass), BCC# and now CBA C-system, I'd just second other comments about not needing to change the Stradella at all.
Have a look at a diagram ( google:96 stradella layout ) - you'll see you will just move the 'home' position.
Also, from personal experience, you do need to really want to play a BCC# if you're changing from a GCF etc - so I'm not surprised by your choice.
It does seem quite a major retune though.
If you don't already play across the rows it may be worth exploring that as it goes well with Stradella.
Whatever you decide, you'll enjoy the Stradella layout - chord patterns are regular and runs are much more straightforward.

 

[glenmichael]

Thanks everyone.. very helpful ! I play across rows .. mostly on pull.. as I play tex mex, zydeco, as well as jazz leanings ( Esteban Steve Jordan ( RIP ) the Texas accordionist you may be familiar with ) .. I spoke with a producer in Castelfidardo of diatonics and they swore you need to shift notes for every key othere than GCF.. on these 'semi-tonate' boxes as they are called here.. diatonic treble and Stradella bass. As I take it here.. I should just keep it standard and adjust to the key I'm playing with.. shift my centering two places down.. or if playing in F or Eb .. shift accordingly. BTW I am having the box tuned in nearby Stradella ( the city ).. about 40 miles from where I live.

 

[george garside]

on the BCC# F is extremely easy F pull middle row, g push mr, A pull mr, Bb C pull inside row D pull mr, E push mr , F pull mr.
B b is mostly on inside row with 3 notes on middle row and EB is mostly on inside row with 2 notes on middle row.

There is a keyboard chart and scale charts on the button box forum

Like any other instrument learning aand practicing a few scales is the key to getting the hang of things

george

 

[glenmichael]

Thanks much. ... I play with chords .. thirds , sixths.. it's all there on the BCC# but I just change accordion depending on the key regarding the treble side. I wanted to learn bass runs on a Stradella.. not possible on the normal12 bass diatonic I usually play