Why I still play Piano Accordion. Button Accordion is awesome

The Chromatic button accordion has several advantages over Piano Accordion. But I still choose to stay with Piano Accordion. I discuss my reasons in this video. For a beginner, it is worth considering starting with a Button Accordion.

[@peterreece6547]

I changed over from piano accordion to 5 row C system. Once you get started and understand the button lay it is so much easier to transpose into other keys . Once a fingering is learned for a tune you just moved to another button and play the same finger pattern.

[@BreezyBellows]

That's why I considered it. But I'm too lazy to switch.

[@therealmartindx]

I made the jump from piano accordion to C system almost 3 years ago and I'm mostly pleased that I did. I play music with a folk band, which gave me the impetus to relearn all our tunes. Thankfully my fellow band members were very accommodating! What was easier was learning new tunes and bringing them to the band. I've played piano since I was a child and so some things , like chords, are more familiar on the piano keyboard. But still, there's something about the challenge of learning something new that has revitalised my journey as an accordionist.

[@BreezyBellows]

I'm glad it worked well for you. Someday when I feel that I'm not making progress on the PA, I might start taking CBA seriously.

[@cemmy410]

I feel called out lol 😅
No hate for the piano accordion here! I chose b-system CBA for three reasons:
1. I wanted to play a lot of Russian folk music
2. I've played piano for 20 years, and thought it would be more fun to learn a new thing, rather than "piano but sideways"
3. It looks really impressive to people who don't know how logical it is 😉
I'll probably pick up a piano accordion at some point for completeness' sake. I would certainly be able to learn songs faster since my piano skills would transfer over.
ETA: it's basically impossible to find any English language instruction books on b-system CBA, so that's another very good reason to stick with piano accordion as you mention. C-system might be easier. That said, B-system seems to be making an impression on the classical accordion world so maybe that will change someday!

[@BreezyBellows]

I think you made a great choice. I was talking about my own hesitation to take the plunge.

[@cemmy410]

Oh, and a note on 4 and 5 row CBAs: while it's true that you *can* play a major scale in any key using the same fingering on a five row CBA, it's pretty typical to stick to the first three rows for most passages. The fourth and fifth row are mainly there to enable alternate fingerings for tricky sections. Watch a pro like Aleksander Hrustevich and you'll see like 90% of everything is still done on the main rows!
(Things might be different in c-system land, my perspective and knowledge is pretty limited to b-system as it's what I play)

[@BreezyBellows]

You're right. I play on a 5 row free bass on the left hand. And I play it exactly how you described it. I wanted to point out that it's still possible to play all 12 major scales using the same fingering. I should have also mentioned that it's recommended to learn fingering for all three rows.

[@cemmy410]

@@BreezyBellows you're doing really well on the free-bass! I want to get one someday, or maybe even a converter. It's a shame converters are WAY out of my price range though 😩

[@BreezyBellows]

Converters are not only expensive but also extremely bulky. The body is mode deeper and hence the accordion projects out more. A great way to start out on free bass is to get a tiny 1 reed block free bass only accordion. I got this Victoria (c system) CBA with free bass. It's so small and inexpensive compared to a converter.
th-cam.com/video/Vb3mXnfTGsA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=c7JsyB4klA-ygOft

[@maxsigler4304]

this video was very helpful. i think i might switch to the chromatic button accordion when i’m able to afford one, it kind of seems like its just objectively better. i’ve often arranged songs for accordion where i wished my fingers could stretch farther in order to play something, so this seems like it might be the solution

[@BreezyBellows]

I'm glad you found it useful. Have you tried the free bass system for the left hand?

[@maxsigler4304]

@@BreezyBellows No, I haven’t. The flexibility of it seems cool but the ability to play entire chords with a single button kind of feels too convenient to pass up on

[@BreezyBellows]

@@maxsigler4304 Yes. Stradella is very cool. I don't see the free bass as a replacement of stradella. Its hard to play the left hand part written for stradella on free bass. But it is really good for playing melodies on the left hand. Since you are interested in chromatic button accordion, I guess you'll like chromatic free bass as well. Its the exact same layout. Also, you don't have to choose one between the two options. There are converter accordions that have both in one instrument.

[@maxsigler4304]

@@BreezyBellows a converter accordion would be really cool but from what i can tell they are really expensive too, so im not sure if it would be worth it for me

[@BreezyBellows]

@@maxsigler4304 Yes. They are expensive. Its possible to find a used model for a reasonable price. But they are also bulky. Digital accordions do have a converter functionality and are very reasonably priced.

[@cornellbsmusic7230]

Thanks for this...a good idea intro for someone like me.....a lot to learn.....will research more. Where did you get your accordion?

[@BreezyBellows]

Didn't be dissuaded by my reluctance to go the CBA route. I made that decision because I'm still making meaningful progress with my piano accordion. If you're starting fresh, the button Accordion can be a great option if you can find a good instrument and a teacher.