continental chromatic accordion

Subject: continental chromatic accordeon
From: stevethesqueeze
Date: 29 Jan 07 - 04:47 AM

I recently obtained a continental chromatic accordeon on a visit to Italy. I can get the right hand system as it seems very logical and easy to be honest after wrestling with a melodeon for years. My little problem is how to use the bass system. Its got the Bassetti system or free bass and I can't find any tutor books. Mine has 30 bass keys and I'm not sure where to start. Any advice gratefully received.

stevethesqueeze

Subject: RE: continental chromatic
From: treewind
Date: 29 Jan 07 - 04:54 AM

I've never played one, but I thought the free bass system used the same pattern as the right hand side of a continental chromatic.

Anahata

Subject: RE: continental chromatic
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jan 07 - 08:09 AM

Press a button and see what note it plays. Check whether it plays a different note pulling and pushing.

Repeat with another button.

Keep doing this with all the buttons.

Then you can find the chords, runs, etc. which fit the tune you want to play.

Easy !

Subject: RE: continental chromatic
From: Bernard
Date: 29 Jan 07 - 01:29 PM

This website has some info and diagrams...

Subject: RE: continental chromatic
From: Greg B
Date: 30 Jan 07 - 11:28 AM

Congratulations. You seem to have what many people argue is
the most technically perfect of keyboard systems.

Then again, that's mostly music theoriticians and they
said the same thing about the English Concertina

How big is it and how much does it weigh?

Subject: RE: continental chromatic
From: stevethesqueeze
Date: 31 Jan 07 - 06:44 AM

many thanks.

It is about the size of a hohner corona and about he same weight. I think the free bass system is much lighter than the stradella. It does remind me of playing the english concertina...maybe thats how I should approach playing it. stevethesqueeze

Subject: RE: continental chromatic
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 01 Feb 07 - 05:52 AM

G'day Steve,

Without digging out the diagrams, I gather the 'Free Bass' system is a mirror image of the outside 3 rows of the right hand side. (Of course, if your box is only the size of the Hohner Corona, you may only have the 3 rows on the right ... although the other two rows are just links to the first three and don't use any more reeds .. just keywork.)

I do have the Hohner diagrams ... somewhere in my filing drawers ... so I can scan those in and e-mail to you ... if you don't sort it out in the meantime.

Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: continental chromatic accordion
From: stevethesqueeze
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 04:05 AM

I'd be grateful. stevethesqueeze