Rediscovered my gran's old accordion recently (after having sat quietly in its case for about 25 years and going into storage after she passed away) and now I'm keen to learn! My friend plays and is teaching me a little but stumbling upon your channel has really dialled up the excitement even more. Thanks for the great content and I look forward to exploring this beautiful instrument more with your help :)
Thank you your a very awesome teacher I'm so clumsy and very slow learner but you show us so much and so gracefully. .learning Accordion is helpen me with my eternal sadness Thanks again
Learning about the bass buttons has been my wish from the start. I stumbled upon the possibilities of the contrabass notes somehow, and I practice running up and down . I love them. They are my bass guitar buttons. Thank you for explaining them
I like to use the counterbass with the 7th chord. For example use E counterbass with C7 when moving to F. You can also swop the counterbass into major bass patterns freely as an alternative to the 5th or the root note.
Hi Ronen...thanks for another instructive video. Love the split screen. After listening to alot of Polish and Italian accordionists, I now routinely use the contrabass row as my routine alternating bass technique. It seems to add a rollicking moving beat to the song, even better when interspersed with the routine alternating bass technique. Funny how it seems to be more of a European tradition. Best regards, db
Pro tip: learn the major scale in the root/counter rows! It takes a bit of time to get, but once you get it, it opens up a world of possibilities! For example, I like to close "La Vie En Rose" by holding a nice tasty Major 9 in the right hand, while echoing the first bit of the theme on bass buttons! Super schmaltzy! Fun times!
I love Russian music it's interesting and love walking baseline best. Thank you for sharing, I've been playing for 1 year and I enjoy accordian better than piano as it has more components to this instrument cheers from NZ.
It is a very great way of decorating your music, It makes it very colorful. Make sure to practice it a lot, because if you miss, It can ruin the entire song :D
Thanks, there were some new ideas for me in this video 😊 Another way of using it would be bass arpeggios, like playing for example a C chord without the C chord button, but as a „deep, broken arpeggio chord“.
Pro tip: the counter bass are a musical third from the primary bass row & the bass rows are laid out in 5ths. Each neighboring bass is a fifth away. F is a fifth below C & G is a 5th above C. You're the first I've heard the counter bass called the "contra bass."
I hope this reaches you: I'm trying to play a pretty difficult song standing up that requires a ridiculous amount of left hand expertise but I'm having an issue with the bass, every time I go for example from D# to C or any range downwards with a jump of sorts (with the hand) that isn't reachable by just rotating the hand the left hand seems to droop downwards which I don't want, hope you can help, thanks!
If you're starting new, go with 4/3. If you already play with 3rd finger on the bass row, stick to it. I made a video about it here: ua-cam.com/video/O1XX9qP8xmg/v-deo.html
Yeah!! I have some favourite progressions that use slash chords on accordion. In Por Una Cabeza, the tango, there's a beautiful bass walk-down (Gm to Dm over F to Eb to Bb over Dm), etc. They sound beautiful on any instrument, but especially on accordion :)
New player with a basic question. How far should I depress the button? If I try a boogie woogie type bass -- 1-3(in the counter bass)-5-6(cb)-flat 7-- I'll often smash the wrong keys going from ring finger to pinkie so am compensating by only pressing the button partially. Is this ok, or should I switch to a different fingering pattern that allows me to fully and cleanly depress the button
Play around with it... Different rhythms will require different depression of the buttons. Usually the "oom" is heavy, while the "pa" is staccato and light.
Sure! Blues in C, let's say, is C to F F to C then the G, F, C G hit, back to C. You can apply the I IV there whenever you go from C to F, and that final G to C. The blues is special, though, because you can have walking bass lines, not just "oom-pa". I have a section on blues left hand patterns here: accordionlove.com/course/how-to-play-the-blues/
Bellows on my accordion seem fine, but I have problems getting both the counterbass to sound and the right hand keys to sound simultaneously, so idk if I just have to use a little more pressure or what, or if the technique is all wrong.
Lots to try with volume control. One thing to try is to have a light touch with your left hand so you can "fit" the right hand melody in there. I have a few lessons on volume control: accordionlove.com/course/playing-dynamics-and-volume-control/
I ve got a question about chord buttons which are "far away". I understand that these examples sound similar: A minor= ACounter + CMajor E minor= Ecounter + Gmajor And so on. I understand this system to play minor chords. But what about for example Amajor und Emajor? How can I play them (or similar chords) to avoid huge jumps with my fingers.
@@TM-jv8vb Yeah... so you're speaking about split chords, or slash chords, correct? Typically we don't need to do TOO big of a stretch for them. There's an example in Por Una Cabeza where the stretch is big and real... it's a F in the bass, with a Dm under it. And then we do it again later with a Bb with a Gm under it (same distance). It really comes down to practice. Smaller hands use the pinky finger and second finger, while I can manage with a fourth finger and pinky. In terms of chord JUMPS (not stretches), it's a matter of practice as well. For example, going from an E to an F (without using the counter-bass row) is doable. Let me know if that's what you were talking about.
@@moshezuchter Thanks for your fast response and your good explanation. Yes, exactly, I was asking about slash chords. Thanks for answering my question and keep going on! Great UA-cam channel!
I'm a beginner and can't figure out if a note is written C Fundamental bass and another C counter bass why is it written different when it's actually the same note? Also if all you have is piano sheet music, can you convert to accordion?
Here's a video I did about moving songs over from piano with sheet music to accordion: ua-cam.com/video/a52PK_Rkc78/v-deo.html It depends on the song, really. And re: the two C notes, you can only play one bass note on the accordion's left hand, so even if two are written, just play the C :)
@@moshezuchter Much obliged. I was thinking easier to switch from other C sometimes. Started to figure that but I couldn't find Piano to accordion sheet music video so thank you. I'll check it out.
This actually just unlocked a lot for me im especially likeing jazz lately
I'm using the counterbass row more and more. I find it challenging but I'm enjoying it.
Rediscovered my gran's old accordion recently (after having sat quietly in its case for about 25 years and going into storage after she passed away) and now I'm keen to learn! My friend plays and is teaching me a little but stumbling upon your channel has really dialled up the excitement even more. Thanks for the great content and I look forward to exploring this beautiful instrument more with your help :)
Thank you your a very awesome teacher
I'm so clumsy and very slow learner but you show us so much and so gracefully.
.learning
Accordion is helpen me with my eternal sadness
Thanks again
Learning about the bass buttons has been my wish from the start. I stumbled upon the possibilities of the contrabass notes somehow, and I practice running up and down . I love them. They are my bass guitar buttons. Thank you for explaining them
Thank you so much for the information. I can now play more Rapalje tunes on my 48 bass Weltmeister, as many are in Em.
Wonderful!!
Thanks Ronen. I find that counterbass row sorta magical at times.
I like to use the counterbass with the 7th chord. For example use E counterbass with C7 when moving to F. You can also swop the counterbass into major bass patterns freely as an alternative to the 5th or the root note.
Hi Ronen...thanks for another instructive video. Love the split screen. After listening to alot of Polish and Italian accordionists, I now routinely use the contrabass row as my routine alternating bass technique. It seems to add a rollicking moving beat to the song, even better when interspersed with the routine alternating bass technique. Funny how it seems to be more of a European tradition. Best regards, db
Yes!! That's a good one! Putting in the counterbass every once in a while adds a little spice :)
Pro tip: learn the major scale in the root/counter rows! It takes a bit of time to get, but once you get it, it opens up a world of possibilities! For example, I like to close "La Vie En Rose" by holding a nice tasty Major 9 in the right hand, while echoing the first bit of the theme on bass buttons! Super schmaltzy! Fun times!
Great idea! I like that ending idea.... Hold on right and movement on left. Thanks
You have a very nice voice too!! Very soothing when you sing
Thank you Daisy!
You are a great teacher!! Thank you!!
I love Russian music it's interesting and love walking baseline best. Thank you for sharing, I've been playing for 1 year and I enjoy accordian better than piano as it has more components to this instrument cheers from NZ.
Congrats!
Your accordion is very beautiful!! I’ve never seen one like that before!!
Very nicely explained - as usual ! Warm Regards.
You would be awesome portraying 1965 Woody Allen. Keep teaching accordion though, this is another helpful and inspiring video.
🥸🤣
What a nice idea to show this ! I discovered how to use it not that long ago and it's so fun to diversify !
great lesson
Thanks Raajeev!
Thanks, Ronen. Great tips!
It is a very great way of decorating your music, It makes it very colorful. Make sure to practice it a lot, because if you miss, It can ruin the entire song :D
Thanks for the great question! How do you use the counterbass row in your playing?
Thanks, there were some new ideas for me in this video 😊 Another way of using it would be bass arpeggios, like playing for example a C chord without the C chord button, but as a „deep, broken arpeggio chord“.
That's a great idea!
Okay Ronen, this is next on my list! Still trying to wrap my head around zydeco... Thank you!
👌👌
wonderful tips, life changing! :) thanks
LIFE CHANGING?! :D
Pro tip: the counter bass are a musical third from the primary bass row & the bass rows are laid out in 5ths. Each neighboring bass is a fifth away. F is a fifth below C & G is a 5th above C. You're the first I've heard the counter bass called the "contra bass."
Contra and Counter are the same I think
BUENOS TIPS....
Thanks!
I hope this reaches you: I'm trying to play a pretty difficult song standing up that requires a ridiculous amount of left hand expertise but I'm having an issue with the bass, every time I go for example from D# to C or any range downwards with a jump of sorts (with the hand) that isn't reachable by just rotating the hand the left hand seems to droop downwards which I don't want, hope you can help, thanks!
Thank you very much for the video!
Please tell me the name of the last performance😊
I just had a look. I think I was just improvising over some chords for that Russian style of music 😊
Thanks for clarifying! Beautiful improvisation 👍
That's gold, should be pinned! Thank you
Great stuff! You do any song requests on the Sunday livestream?
Yup! As long as I know the song, or have heard it before, I play it :)
Fingering position: what do you suggest the 4/3 or 2/3? What are the pros and cons of these finger pattern.
If you're starting new, go with 4/3. If you already play with 3rd finger on the bass row, stick to it.
I made a video about it here:
ua-cam.com/video/O1XX9qP8xmg/v-deo.html
Thanks alot😘
Are there other slash chords you find helpful on the accordion? I suppose there are limitations compared to the piano or the guitar.
Yeah!! I have some favourite progressions that use slash chords on accordion. In Por Una Cabeza, the tango, there's a beautiful bass walk-down (Gm to Dm over F to Eb to Bb over Dm), etc. They sound beautiful on any instrument, but especially on accordion :)
New player with a basic question.
How far should I depress the button?
If I try a boogie woogie type bass -- 1-3(in the counter bass)-5-6(cb)-flat 7-- I'll often smash the wrong keys going from ring finger to pinkie so am compensating by only pressing the button partially.
Is this ok, or should I switch to a different fingering pattern that allows me to fully and cleanly depress the button
Play around with it... Different rhythms will require different depression of the buttons. Usually the "oom" is heavy, while the "pa" is staccato and light.
Thank you for great Insights. From your perspective Is it applicable to 12 step blues turnarounds?
Sure! Blues in C, let's say, is
C to F
F to C
then the G, F, C
G hit, back to C.
You can apply the I IV there whenever you go from C to F, and that final G to C.
The blues is special, though, because you can have walking bass lines, not just "oom-pa". I have a section on blues left hand patterns here:
accordionlove.com/course/how-to-play-the-blues/
Bellows on my accordion seem fine, but I have problems getting both the counterbass to sound and the right hand keys to sound simultaneously, so idk if I just have to use a little more pressure or what, or if the technique is all wrong.
Lots to try with volume control. One thing to try is to have a light touch with your left hand so you can "fit" the right hand melody in there. I have a few lessons on volume control: accordionlove.com/course/playing-dynamics-and-volume-control/
I ve got a question about chord buttons which are "far away".
I understand that these examples sound similar:
A minor= ACounter + CMajor
E minor= Ecounter + Gmajor
And so on. I understand this system to play minor chords.
But what about for example Amajor und Emajor? How can I play them (or similar chords) to avoid huge jumps with my fingers.
Sorry for the long text. I hope you understand the question.
@@TM-jv8vb Yeah... so you're speaking about split chords, or slash chords, correct? Typically we don't need to do TOO big of a stretch for them. There's an example in Por Una Cabeza where the stretch is big and real... it's a F in the bass, with a Dm under it. And then we do it again later with a Bb with a Gm under it (same distance).
It really comes down to practice. Smaller hands use the pinky finger and second finger, while I can manage with a fourth finger and pinky.
In terms of chord JUMPS (not stretches), it's a matter of practice as well. For example, going from an E to an F (without using the counter-bass row) is doable.
Let me know if that's what you were talking about.
@@moshezuchter Thanks for your fast response and your good explanation. Yes, exactly, I was asking about slash chords. Thanks for answering my question and keep going on! Great UA-cam channel!
I'm a beginner and can't figure out if a note is written C Fundamental bass and another C counter bass why is it written different when it's actually the same note? Also if all you have is piano sheet music, can you convert to accordion?
Here's a video I did about moving songs over from piano with sheet music to accordion:
ua-cam.com/video/a52PK_Rkc78/v-deo.html
It depends on the song, really.
And re: the two C notes, you can only play one bass note on the accordion's left hand, so even if two are written, just play the C :)
@@moshezuchter Much obliged. I was thinking easier to switch from other C sometimes. Started to figure that but I couldn't find Piano to accordion sheet music video so thank you. I'll check it out.
Sir, is sunrise brand accordion good?
I haven't heard of it, so can't say
@@moshezuchter which make do you recommend sir pls?
Hi , where can I find sheet music for Portuguese song "Bota Seca"
Not sure?
Is it contrabass or counterbass? Are they pronounced the same??? I’m confused please help.
People will understand you regardless of what you call it 😅
How do I do that on a 12 bass. asks Judy Corrette
A 12 bass doesn't have a counterbass row 😞
굿good~~~^^!!
can somebody explain why they are called " counter " bass please ? I realise it's to do with theory but why " counter ?
Only the inventor from Stradella in Italy will know I guess !
learn a major and minor scale.... and the boogie.
That's explain a lot 🪗