Hey everybody, I just found out At Martin accordions, that there is such a thing as an LMML reed setup. But it was also said that the top most buttons would be very sluggish when trying to activate the LMML reeds up there on buttons1,2,and 3 and that the LMML accordion would be very airy. If an accordion player wanted to install the LMML set up, it would be best to install them on a C, D, E, F accordion because those L reeds at the top buttons would be smaller than the G,A,Bb accordions and easier to activate in those higher key c d e f accordions. Do not even attempt the LMML set up for a low D, low F, or a low G. Just thought you might want to know what I found out and deduced on my own. I am thinking that the Dewey Balfa A accordion that Dirk is playing on is possibly an LMML set up.
So for a recap, here is the BASIC accordion BUILD key Spectrum from the deepest low sounding accordion to the highest pitch screaming shriller accordion.
LOW G, LOW F, LOW D- Dry Tune
LOW G, LOW F, LOW D- Wet Tune
LMML G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F- Dry Tune
LMML G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F- Wet Tune
LMMH G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F- Dry Tune
LMMH G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F- Wet Tune
How hard would it be for all accordion builders to put up a sign like this in their shops showing all the possible keys and tuning types? It would educate their customers, and cut down on a lot of unnecessary customer uncertainty.
I sure hope the link I posted works. It shows Kaleb Leday demonstrating the same exact song in 3 different keys/positions using a B Natural accordion.....using the Nashville Number System that puts him playing the song in the 4th (E), the 5th (F#), and on the 1 (B).
The description on facebook is: Lessons By LeDay #MondayMadness "3 major keys per 1 accordion"
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1A9bNbnHtD/
Listen to the "RESONANCE" of this B natural and how the resonance is most dominant when he plays in the 5th which is in F#. Truly remarkable use of chords! And be sure to read his description of what he's doing. Awesome!
Well folks, I'm here with an update. The visit to Martin accordions on the first occasion started out pretty good. On the second visit approximately one month later I noticed a different air in the building. I'm a Cajun as you all know, but I must say that I was treated like a stranger on that second visit. A dismissive feeling came over me. I had an appointment and my appointment was abruptly stopped and their attention shifted over to two Texas boys while I sat quietly on my accordion case waiting. I made nice and kept quiet. For I had many more questions. Needless to say those questions were not answered on that day. I walked away from Martin accordions that morning with a very uneasy feeling! After a few more texts and attempts to get my questions answered so I can have the best possible accordion built, I realized that I was on the back burner for some reason. Responses from Martin accordion stop completely. So I stopped and went about getting my B flat somewhere else. It was a used, yet pristine condition gabinelli Cajun King Bb with cagnoni reeds in it. It plays very good Zydeco Style, but it has so much bark and bite to the sound of those reeds that I cannot hardly play Cajun music with it. So therefore I will bring it to my old trusted buddy at Mouton accordions Greg Mouton to see what he can do about that "Great Dane" bark coming from that gabinelli king. Which brings me to another question," do black Zydeco players prefer a certain type of reed, or a certain type of tuning, or both to be able to play their deep sounding zydeco style? Because those cagnoni reeds sure as hell do produce that Zydeco sound while my gabinelli king in the key of D does not because it does not have cagnoni reeds in it. I'll let y'all know how it turns out. Thinking about getting some Progressive or graduated wet tuning done to that deep B flat so that it ends up somewhere in the middle of that Zydeco sound and that Cajun sound.
Hey Greez, Martin might have been preoccupied with a huge order that they got from the Vermilion Parish School Board to build a bunch of accordions for the school system. That's the sense that I got when I went there the other day. It's like somebody lit a fire in the building and Martin didn't have enough water to put it out. I think it was something like 12 accordion builds all in the same key! All the same color.
Meloderon, I saw that you prescribed to my YouTube channel. Awesome! I have three playlists that have music for the B flat, C, and D accordions. You can enjoy those if you'd like. Keep in mind that some of the songs will make you play in different key positions in order to follow the song. And some of the songs are designed to teach lessons. I put those playlist together for my son who's learning the
accordion. I hope they help you too and anybody else that would like to go and listen to those playlist. Have at it!
The April 2011 Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week
