For the first time in 40+ years of playing, I have now fully and properly understood how the reeds, reed blocks and registers all work together! Many Thanks.
Hi, I had a Zero Sette 120 double Cassotto which I sold recently because I found it very heavy to use, although it has a beautiful sound. And I am currently playing a smaller Paulo Soprani Professional Folk 96. But I am looking for another, and your advice has given me lots of ideas - thank you!
Thank you sir. Your videos are so clear and your options about different register combinations are so humble. I found myself quite fun and well educated all through this video.
I've been looking for a video like this forever. Thank you so much! Most other videos will explain the reeds but then don't play them, or they will play them but not say which reed/switch they are using. Thank you for giving examples.
You have nailed it! This is the first video that really explains how the accordion reeds work and determine what reeds setup would work best for an accordionist.
Good man! Thank you! I well appreciate your explanations! e.g. about the ammount of basses and the coherences in Accordion sizes. Im already well involved, but, if you search for such information in the internet, it‘s still difficult, and even established accordion houses are lacking that specific and important basic information!
@@BreezyBellows I have an old accordion back in Poland. I played like 30 years ago. I currently play piano but wanted to get back playing accordion. I need to fix the one I have but was thinking maybe I get buy one or ship my old one that need to be repaired.
I seen many players recommend smaller bass accordions for beginners, but even 120 bass accordions come in smaller keyboards-that is, if they are two- or three-reed accordions. I seen the “tremolo” sound is found in many 48 and 72 bass accordions, but I guess you can play “dry” music on the bassoon, clarinet, or bandoneon switches.
You bring up a very important topic. 4 different things can make accordions big and small. 1) the length of the keyboard 2) number of keys 3) number of bass buttons 4) number of reed blocks This video is only about the Reed blocks. I've made another video on the size of the keyboard (compact vs full size keys). There are other advantages to playing full size accordions. A larger bellows gives more air to with with so you don't have to switch directions too often. Here's the video: ruclips.net/video/0bXgN4RhEMw/видео.html I'm making another video about number of bass buttons.
Does the tremolo change between notes the higher you play on the keyboard? My musette accordion has varying speeds on my top most notes. Thanks for this video.
Different repair techs do it differently. I've spoken with a few repair professionals. Some try to keep the number of beats constant for every key. Theoretically, I believe this makes sense. Some pick a certain number of cents for the lower notes, then use a smaller number of cents for the middle section and an even smaller number for the high notes. Do understand this better, one needs to understand how cents and beats are different. You hear a beat when two reeds have a frequency difference. For example, if A is tuned at 440Hz and the other A is tuned at 445 Hz, there will be 5 beats per second (because the second reed vibrated 5 times more every second). So if you go off of beats, the calculation is very simple. You can keep the number of beats the same for ever single key by timing the second reed 5 Hz higher. Cents are different from beats. You get one cent by diving the beats between a note and the next note (half step) into 100 equal parts. For example if A above middle C is 440 Hz, the A# will be 466.164 Hz. So one cent is dividing 26.164 into 100 equal parts. So one cent is 0.26 Hz at A 440. So the 5 Hz beat difference is a whopping 20 cents. But that holds only for that note. If you were to use the same 20 cents at A 880hz, it will be almost twice as wet because the number of beats would've doubled.
@@TheAtheistworld The Scandalli Super VI from the golden age (1950s to early 70s) is considered by many as one of the best accordions ever made. The golden age Scandalli Super VI can be identified by the serial number that starts with M or N (called M series or N series). This particular series was sold from 3 brands and was badged differently for each name. By rebadging I meant the other brands selling the Super VI made by scandalli using a different model name. Bell Accordions (USA) sold this as a Bell 4511. Settimio Soprani sold this as a Artist VI model. The rebadged models had everything identical except for the grill design and the treble register switches.
What reed configuration would you recommend for Traditional German Music, Polkas, German Dance Tunes, etc. I also play Popular and folk music from various countries, but my main focus right now is playing German folk music.
I assume you play a piano accordion. For German polkas, a wet tuned LMMM will work. There is a strike of accordions called Alpine accordions that are commonly used for this type of music (based on what I know). They have a distinctive look with a glossy wooden body and a shiny metal grill.
Why doesn't Pigini or Jupiter make an accordion with 6 or 7 sets of reeds on the melody (right-hand) side, instead of stopping at a measly 4? Because a full-sized professional's accordion with 41 keys and 4 sets of reeds already has 328 individual reeds on the right-hand side (if the left has 120 bass buttons and 5 sets of reeds---and a professional's instrument usually will---it adds another 120 reeds, bringing the total to 448.) By then, it already weighs 28 - 32 pounds, and costs between $7,000 and $18,000. You want another 246 reeds . . . ??? Get ready for an "accordion" that weighs 80 pounds, and may cost you $70,000.
I've had 5 reed (treble side) accordions that already feel like a tank. Why would anyone want the 6th reed on the treble side? The five reed accordions have a LMMMH reed configuration on the treble side. That covers both LMMH and LMMM functionality (although the dry tuned MM violin register will be missing). That could be a reason why one would want the 6th reed. Another option is to have two low reeds (one inside chamber and one outside). I've seen that in an excelsior before (art van damme model). But again, that will be a monster that will break both your bank and your back.
@@BreezyBellows The . . . . "thought" . . . . that I had on an accordion with 6 choirs of reeds on the right hand wouldn't have involved any more musette reeds, in or out of the chamber. Were I to win the lottery---and therefore be able to approach a world-class accordion builder with my nonsense---my request would have involved more octaves of range in the right hand. The 4-choir accordions most professionals use have two middle ranks that organists call 8' octave (the unison and the musette), with a lower octave (16': the "bassoon") and a higher octave (4': the "piccolo"). My thought was to add another octave even lower (32') and another octave even higher (2'). Instead of LMMH, L2L1MMH1H2. The question then becomes would the world-class accordion builder even finish hearing me out on what I wanted . . . . or would the physics involved tell him to laugh at me, before throwing me off the premises. Were he willing to give it a shot, I stand my ground on the resulting monstrosity weighing at least 60 pounds (possibly 80) and costing me $70,000 (if it didn't cost $150,000).
@@Sublibrarian11918333 one way to get around your idea is to get this done one a digital accordion. On a Roland, you can pick and accordion sound with LMMH and pick two orchestral sounds that have the L1 and H2 equivalent of what you were proposing. It won't be real reeds, but it will probably be the only way I think an idea like this can see the light of day. In addition to the weight, the dimensions on the instrument will make it impractical. It will be projecting out about three more inches (at the least). This will make the instrument feel even heavier because of moving the center of gravity away from the body. In addition to that, it will make it harder to wrap your hands around the larger cabinet to reach the bass buttons.
For the first time in 40+ years of playing, I have now fully and properly understood how the reeds, reed blocks and registers all work together! Many Thanks.
Jim, you made my day! What accordion do you play?
Hi, I had a Zero Sette 120 double Cassotto which I sold recently because I found it very heavy to use, although it has a beautiful sound. And I am currently playing a smaller Paulo Soprani Professional Folk 96. But I am looking for another, and your advice has given me lots of ideas - thank you!
That was a lot of information in one video, but it was so clearly explained, I found myself watching intently, and enjoyed it.
I'm glad you liked it!
Thank you sir. Your videos are so clear and your options about different register combinations are so humble. I found myself quite fun and well educated all through this video.
So nice of you. Thank you!
Love the "Kooky-Kolored-'Kordion" ❤ ! TY.
Which one?
I've been looking for a video like this forever. Thank you so much! Most other videos will explain the reeds but then don't play them, or they will play them but not say which reed/switch they are using. Thank you for giving examples.
Thank you for your comment! I'm glad you found it useful. Let me know if you have any other questions.
You have nailed it! This is the first video that really explains how the accordion reeds work and determine what reeds setup would work best for an accordionist.
Thank you very much for your kind words.
Excellent information; THANK YOU for clarifying how the 'black box' works..!! Very helpful in deciding on my first Real accordion.
Which one are you getting?
Best explanation I've seen after 3 hours of searching!
Thank you! Which tuning do you prefer?
Incredibly helpful, thank you! I've been looking at getting my first proper accordion, so this series is perfect.
Thank you for watching. I'm glad you found it useful. I'm planning to add more to this series.
Good man! Thank you! I well appreciate your explanations! e.g. about the ammount of basses and the coherences in Accordion sizes. Im already well involved, but, if you search for such information in the internet, it‘s still difficult, and even established accordion houses are lacking that specific and important basic information!
Thank you Alfred. That is how I felt as well. That's why I thought this might benefit beginners.
@@BreezyBellows and you are right. Thank you for your efforts!
One of the best video on the subject, truly scholarly. Thanks very much
Thank you Anand. Feel free to check out other videos in the channel
Excellent...very informative.
Thank you Howard!
Great videos man, very thorough and helped alot to understand it all.
I'm glad you found it useful
Obrigado!
Thank you very much!
Thanks very mich for your Explination
I'm glad you found it useful!
Good explanation,thank you
Excellent. So helpful 👍🏻👍🏻
Hello Varon, I'm glad you found it useful. Do you play accordion as well?
Very helpful! Thank you!!!
Thank you! Are you looking to buy an accordion? Or do you already have one?
@@BreezyBellows I have an old accordion back in Poland. I played like 30 years ago.
I currently play piano but wanted to get back playing accordion. I need to fix the one I have but was thinking maybe I get buy one or ship my old one that need to be repaired.
Thank you!!!
I'm glad you liked it
How big is your Accordion?
96 bass, 11+5 registers
Very informative 👍👍
Thank you Ken!
Very informative , thanks
Thank you Anwar!
I seen many players recommend smaller bass accordions for beginners, but even 120 bass accordions come in smaller keyboards-that is, if they are two- or three-reed accordions. I seen the “tremolo” sound is found in many 48 and 72 bass accordions, but I guess you can play “dry” music on the bassoon, clarinet, or bandoneon switches.
You bring up a very important topic. 4 different things can make accordions big and small.
1) the length of the keyboard
2) number of keys
3) number of bass buttons
4) number of reed blocks
This video is only about the Reed blocks.
I've made another video on the size of the keyboard (compact vs full size keys). There are other advantages to playing full size accordions. A larger bellows gives more air to with with so you don't have to switch directions too often. Here's the video: ruclips.net/video/0bXgN4RhEMw/видео.html
I'm making another video about number of bass buttons.
Very clear explanations, Thanks! I am wondering why the Tremelo in Diatonic accordions is more “lively”? Is it the smaller box or the Just Tuning?
I guess it should be because of the tuning.
Violin I liked on the first 4 minutes of the video
The dry tuned violin is my choice too
Does the tremolo change between notes the higher you play on the keyboard? My musette accordion has varying speeds on my top most notes. Thanks for this video.
Different repair techs do it differently. I've spoken with a few repair professionals. Some try to keep the number of beats constant for every key. Theoretically, I believe this makes sense. Some pick a certain number of cents for the lower notes, then use a smaller number of cents for the middle section and an even smaller number for the high notes.
Do understand this better, one needs to understand how cents and beats are different. You hear a beat when two reeds have a frequency difference. For example, if A is tuned at 440Hz and the other A is tuned at 445 Hz, there will be 5 beats per second (because the second reed vibrated 5 times more every second). So if you go off of beats, the calculation is very simple. You can keep the number of beats the same for ever single key by timing the second reed 5 Hz higher.
Cents are different from beats. You get one cent by diving the beats between a note and the next note (half step) into 100 equal parts. For example if A above middle C is 440 Hz, the A# will be 466.164 Hz. So one cent is dividing 26.164 into 100 equal parts. So one cent is 0.26 Hz at A 440. So the 5 Hz beat difference is a whopping 20 cents.
But that holds only for that note. If you were to use the same 20 cents at A 880hz, it will be almost twice as wet because the number of beats would've doubled.
Great vid. What is that first black accordion model? Very versatile instrument and good tones. Thnx brother ❤
That's a Bell 4511. It's a rebadged scandalli super vi from the 60s
@@BreezyBellows what does rebadged mean?? Thnx
@@TheAtheistworld The Scandalli Super VI from the golden age (1950s to early 70s) is considered by many as one of the best accordions ever made. The golden age Scandalli Super VI can be identified by the serial number that starts with M or N (called M series or N series). This particular series was sold from 3 brands and was badged differently for each name. By rebadging I meant the other brands selling the Super VI made by scandalli using a different model name. Bell Accordions (USA) sold this as a Bell 4511. Settimio Soprani sold this as a Artist VI model. The rebadged models had everything identical except for the grill design and the treble register switches.
@@BreezyBellows cool. Thnx
What reed configuration would you recommend for Traditional German Music, Polkas, German Dance Tunes, etc. I also play Popular and folk music from various countries, but my main focus right now is playing German folk music.
I assume you play a piano accordion. For German polkas, a wet tuned LMMM will work. There is a strike of accordions called Alpine accordions that are commonly used for this type of music (based on what I know). They have a distinctive look with a glossy wooden body and a shiny metal grill.
Why doesn't Pigini or Jupiter make an accordion with 6 or 7 sets of reeds on the melody (right-hand) side, instead of stopping at a measly 4?
Because a full-sized professional's accordion with 41 keys and 4 sets of reeds already has 328 individual reeds on the right-hand side (if the left has 120 bass buttons and 5 sets of reeds---and a professional's instrument usually will---it adds another 120 reeds, bringing the total to 448.)
By then, it already weighs 28 - 32 pounds, and costs between $7,000 and $18,000.
You want another 246 reeds . . . ???
Get ready for an "accordion" that weighs 80 pounds, and may cost you $70,000.
I've had 5 reed (treble side) accordions that already feel like a tank. Why would anyone want the 6th reed on the treble side?
The five reed accordions have a LMMMH reed configuration on the treble side. That covers both LMMH and LMMM functionality (although the dry tuned MM violin register will be missing). That could be a reason why one would want the 6th reed.
Another option is to have two low reeds (one inside chamber and one outside). I've seen that in an excelsior before (art van damme model).
But again, that will be a monster that will break both your bank and your back.
@@BreezyBellows The . . . . "thought" . . . . that I had on an accordion with 6 choirs of reeds on the right hand wouldn't have involved any more musette reeds, in or out of the chamber.
Were I to win the lottery---and therefore be able to approach a world-class accordion builder with my nonsense---my request would have involved more octaves of range in the right hand. The 4-choir accordions most professionals use have two middle ranks that organists call 8' octave (the unison and the musette), with a lower octave (16': the "bassoon") and a higher octave (4': the "piccolo").
My thought was to add another octave even lower (32') and another octave even higher (2').
Instead of LMMH, L2L1MMH1H2.
The question then becomes would the world-class accordion builder even finish hearing me out on what I wanted . . . . or would the physics involved tell him to laugh at me, before throwing me off the premises.
Were he willing to give it a shot, I stand my ground on the resulting monstrosity weighing at least 60 pounds (possibly 80) and costing me $70,000 (if it didn't cost $150,000).
@@Sublibrarian11918333 one way to get around your idea is to get this done one a digital accordion. On a Roland, you can pick and accordion sound with LMMH and pick two orchestral sounds that have the L1 and H2 equivalent of what you were proposing. It won't be real reeds, but it will probably be the only way I think an idea like this can see the light of day.
In addition to the weight, the dimensions on the instrument will make it impractical. It will be projecting out about three more inches (at the least). This will make the instrument feel even heavier because of moving the center of gravity away from the body. In addition to that, it will make it harder to wrap your hands around the larger cabinet to reach the bass buttons.
@@BreezyBellows It is a fairly goofy pipe-dream.
@@Sublibrarian11918333 what's life without goofy ideas!
Good evening plz I need accordion
?