I know Ganey said he might try that route.

I'm thinking of adding a chromatic instrument to my stable, and 15 years ago when I tried piano accordion, the reaches really threw me. Now I have more experience playing music, and not sure if I should go the CBA or PA route.

Anybody play both, and can give some feedback?

The CBA is really a genius layout. There are two systems. The Bayan, or B system, is mostly used in Russia and other Slavic countries. The C system is more widely used. I had one that needed a lot of work, so I got rid of it. When I had my Roland, I programmed it to be a three row chromatic, but I just didn't have the time to dedicate to learning it. I will say, though, that the three chord grips and octaves are really easy to reach.

so, you suggest the C system?

The B system felt good in that it kept my wrist from having to bend back upwards to run a scale. At least the way I was running a scale.

I don't know that I would suggest one, or the other, but the C system is more common. There's a guy on YouTube with some monster skills. I used to communicate with him, but I can't remember the channel. I think he had "Chicano" on his name.

Going back a couple decades, If I were to start accordion over.. it would be the CBA. 5 row C system. 4 rows is good too and lighter but the fifth row duplicate makes for fewer patterns to do all the scales.

Back to the Reyes Form Discussion

There is a guy there named Russ who posts once in a while.. he has gone over to the CBA full time.

Go to you tube and watch Richard Galliano. Plays in any style.. Gypsy jazz, Jazz , Classical, tango

I believe he plays a VICTORIA with the grille removed. One of the best players around..


He does some playing with Gyspy Jazz great Birelli LaGrene

My opinion as have only dabbled with both PA and CBA.. the CBA can do anything the PA can do, and do it better.

The only advantage I can see for the PA is if you already play the piano/keyboard.

I play a 5 row C system Borsini. Switched from PA and so glad I did. Another really great thing about the CBA is the right hand finger pattern does not change when you switch keys. Key of B? Bring it on!

How long did it take to make the switch, i.e. get up to speed on the new system? How long have you been playing PA?

Here's some Chromatic Button Accordion info...
Scroll down to find....

dwight

i have tried it

in another band besides Zydeco T

idea was to have more flexibility of keys, etc
which the chromatic does have

PROs:
universal, logical fingering for all keys [at least with 5 row]
(ALL instruments should work like this)


CONs:
if you learn it, you STILL cannot play the piano, which is ubiquitous - you HAVE to have your own unique, heavy, expensive, instrument everywhere you play

REMARKS:
since it is WAY different from cajun accordion, i didn;t learn it very well, i didn;t give it a fair chance, but i could see it was taking longer than i wanted

C system is most prevalent everywhere except eastern europe
though that doesn;t matter here, you won;t find C systems just hanging around either

if you got something like a roland v-accordion, you can switch it from B to C system, as well as many other (including custom) note arrangements
BUT (annoying) - still no one makes a single accordion that could do both
you can customize the v-accordions, but not to have in and out play different notes @#$@#$@#$@#$@#$@#

i would almost advise learning piano, but using an electronic piano that can key-transpose easily

or accordion, computer piano accordion

just so, when you don;t have your accordion, you can at least play SOMETHING on a piano, which will always be nearby

(though by that logic you would just learn guitar which is also chromatic, 100x more portable and 1000x more prevalant than even piano)

i wish i could play piano



wle