Stradella Bass Accordion: #1 Introduction
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- Опубліковано 11 вер 2024
- DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a performer! That is, I don't play well. I'm not here to impress anyone with my playing skills (if I actually have any!). I simply wish to share a technique that was shown to me when I was a child. The system is called "Five-Finger Stradella-Bass Technique." This five-finger system was devised by the late Clarence Edgar Roberts (1906-1983), a professional jazz musician from central Pennsylvania.
ALERT: The mentioned book that I authored is NOT an accordion book! It's an entirely new look at scales, chords, and clefs. It might be helpful for some accordionists--to better understand scales and chords--but it is NOT an accordion "instruction" book! Fearing that some viewers might get confused, I made it a point to mention that you shouldn't run out to buy the book.
Correction: My Italian grandfather, Joe, lived to be ONLY 54, NOT 57. For some reason, I frequently speak incorrectly
In the next video (#2 Close-up Examples), I will demonstrate the technique in more detail.
CHORDS for “Moonlight Becomes You” (Burke/Van Heusen)
Verse 1 & 2:
| F F#dim | Gm7 C7 | F/A Abdim7 | Gm7 C7 | Am7 D7 | Gm7 C7 | A7 D7 | G7 C7 |
| F F#dim | Gm7 C7 | F/A Abdim7 | Gm7 C7 | Am7 D7 | Gm7 *C7 | F Bb | F . |
Chorus:
Bb Bb7 | Eb Eb/C | F7 F7/A | Bb Bb/A | Gm7 Gm7o5 | **F F#dim | G7 | Gm7 C7 |
Verse 3:
| F F#dim | Gm7 C7 | F/A Abdim7 | Gm7 C7 | Am7 D7 | Gm7 C7 | A7 | D7 | G7 . Gm7 C7 | F Gm/F | F
*Gdim7/Bb
**Optional measure (4-beat chord run substitute): | F E7 Eb7 D7 |
Below are shown the chord combinations used in this video;
Format: Desired chord = bass/counter-bass (finger) + chord button (finger)
Gdim7/Bb (substitute for C7) = Bb bass (pinkie) + Edim chord (thumb): resultant tones: G Bb Db Fb
F#dim = F# counter-bass (index) + Adim chord (thumb): resultant tones: F# A C (only 3 tones)
Abdim7 = Ab bass (pinkie) + Ddim chord (thumb): resultant tones: Ab Cb D F
Gm7o5 = G counter-bass (ring) + Bbm chord (index): resultant tones: G Bb Db F
E7 = E counter-bass (index) + Cbdim chord (pinkie): resultant tones: E G# B D
D7 = D counter-bass (pinkie) + Adim chord (thumb): resultant tones: D F# A C
G7 = G bass (pointer) + Ddim chord (thumb): resultant tones: G B D F
A7 = A counter-bass (pinkie) + Edim chord (thumb): resultant tones: A C# E G
NOTE: The way in which I approach the Stradella 120-Bass system solves a few problems for the beginner.
First, my approach demonstrates that ALL five fingers can be used by the left hand-if, indeed, the student’s hand is large enough. Most adults will have hands large enough to make most five-finger movements.
Second, my approach is easier than the traditional approach. Surface travel over the buttons is easier, and most really ridiculous “jumps” are eliminated. Granted, the student might struggle with this system at first, but at some point-when it clicks-he or she will become quite pleased that the system is indeed within reach, so to speak.
Third, the way in which I play chords with the left hand provides, arguably, the most “harmonic support” possible. That is, if I play a chord that comprises FOUR or FIVE tones-as opposed to only THREE tones-I can play a simple melody with the right hand without losing any clarity in that melody. This is especially true for one playing an accordion with “high-quality” reeds. And, as I mention in a few of the videos, with this system, you can play most “dominant seventh” and “diminished seventh” chords without suffering the omission of “the fifth.”
Fourth, as most beginners know little about making and using “large,” or “richer,” chords with the right hand (as most professionals do), the left-hands chords, as I play them, will provide a sufficient harmony, at least until the student learns to play larger chords in the right hand.
I bought a glowing white accordion when I was about 26, and sat in my van in the driveway trying to play it for a month. Then I gave it to a missionary who said she was looking for an accordion to play all over the world. I knew she would play it beautifully, but I missed the accordion for about 30 years. I inherited another beautiful accordion about five years ago, and the buttons are the real challenge for me. I wanted to understand the patterns, the relationships of the buttons so I could use them and understand them. And I am so clumsy trying to find them when I play. This is what I have been waiting for, this kind of video. Thank you!!!
Fantastisch work to integrate stradella type accordeon info serieus jazz
enjoying your videos I would like your book Modern Music System if it is still available. I 'm trying to get playin my accordion after quite a long time.let me know if book is available. Thanks Ron
Ron, PLEASE keep in mind that my book is NOT an accordion instruction book! It is simply a book that demonstrates how to "visualize" scales and chords in a different--and I believe, better--way. Many have benefited from these perspectives, but some just downright don't like them. It's all a matter of taste.
www.amazon.com/Modern-Music-Systems-perspective-scales/dp/1440428662/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226701873&sr=1-1
Scalephrase, don't worry about your death, God has an appointed time and when you are called there is nothing you can do, just get ready before hand. I was playing around with my sisters accordion a few years ago and playing some songs by ear I guess you would say. (My mom and sister played the piano and organ by ear, but I didn't get the blessing.) Anyway, sis bought me an accordion and I played around with it but really wasn't that interested so I sold it to a guy in Denmark I think, on ebay. I was always sorry I did and about a month ago bought one on ebay. I got a really nice one for $250 + shipping. I have bought the Palmer Hughs books and am now trying to learn the thing. My biggest problem is those bass keys. In the PH books they start you off with the C, CM and G and GM buttons. I keep losing my place. I don't know what I'm going to do when I have to play 5 or 10 buttons. Do you have any tips? P.S. I'm 65 years old.
Thanks for watching, Ric. I have no formal education whatsoever. I barely made it through high school. (I had serious comprehension problems.) So, to learn, I mainly use repetition. I have those same Palmer-Hughes books, by the way!
I would recommend playing your lessons OVER AND OVER and OVER--until it becomes "second nature." That is, once any given material is stored in your subconscious mind, you can more easily move on to the new (conscious) stuff. The subconscious mind will help you play the rote material and your conscious mind will tackle the new, challenging stuff.
Also, even when NOT holding the accordion, move through the lessons in your mind. That is, "picture" the fingering in your mind. And do this over and over--until you have clarity.
And, develop courage to just "play the darned thing!" When I was growing up, I was told a thousand times, "You can't. . . ." "Can't" is a cancer for the mind; and those who try to keep you down are "can't-sers." Avoid them, and avoid the thought.
Again, thank you for watching. Now, go play like the wind!
Joey D'Agostino
@@scalephrase Another term for the repetition is "muscle memory". The more you repeat, the more you will find the effort routine as your fingers go almost automatically where they are supposed to.
what is the title of the book and where I can buy one?
WindChaser,
The book is titled "Modern Music Systems: a new perspective on music scales, clefs, and chords."
You can buy the book here:
www.amazon.com/Modern-Music-Systems-perspective-scales/dp/1440428662/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226701873&sr=1-1
HOWEVER--and I tell this to everyone--my book is NOT an "accordion instruction" book! It is simply a book of theory--that is, ideas! Some people have found the ideas very useful in helping them understand scales and chords; yet, there have been a few who have hated the ideas. I hate to put down my own work, but I have to be fair about this.
My goal is to present all of my theories on UA-cam, thereby giving viewers access to all of my goodies without having to pay for anything. Anyway, thanks for inquiring.
Joey D'Agostino
Alles sicher toll, 🤗 wenn jeder die englische Sprache beherrschen würde!
Für mich wäre es in Deutsch verständlicher. 😉
Entschuldigung, ich kann die deutsche Sprache nicht. Meine deutsche Großmutter sprach Deutsch, aber sie ist vor langer Zeit gestorben.