Does anyone know why this accordion has this kind of keys? I don't remember seeing such accordions before. These big square keys intrigue me. Do they have anything to do with his playing so fast? (Link, at 22:45). Thanks.

Christian

Well Paddy, after a good few pints of porter, and a Jameson or, two those bog fat keys probably makes the way home easier to find on a dark road .... - N

Are you talking about the registers?

They switch banks of reeds in and out, like the stops would do on a cajun box. otherwise, I'm not seeing what you're talking about.

No, not the registers. Isn't this keyboard different, with bigger keys than usual and wider spaces between the keys?
Unless it's my screen... or my glasses, or...my eyes!

It's a Walters box.
I think the big square keys make it easier to play the same button with two fingers alternating, and thus very quick.
Quote:

"For over 25 years, Joe Derrane did not own a button accordion. Then, quite
unexpectedly, one was handed to him. "Some years back, a very dear, lifelong
friend of mine, Jackie Martin, who also plays the box, heard about a closeout
sale at the Walters accordion shop in New York. Jackie went down there with a
few hundred dollars and managed to buy two boxes. He gave the better one to his
father and kept the other for himself. Then Jackie's father passed away. Jackie
knew I didn't have a button box anymore, he now had two, and so he gave me his
and held on to his father's, which obviously has sentimental value for him. I
got the box--it's a Walters D/C#, one and a half row button accordion, with 15
square keys--about three years ago, but it's only in the last year or so that
I've been really practicing on it."

Quote from Website #2.

Curiosité satisfaite. Merci Peer.

Well, I'm certainly no expert, but essentially it's a "one and a half row". Depending on key, probably your sharps and flats. I'm sure there's plenty of folks out there who know lots more about it than me.

Good to see Hal pop up... niceness!

R!CK