Playing Scales - Chromatic versus Piano 

Thank you so much for this wonderful demonstration. I've been telling people for years that the chromatic accordion is easier to play than the piano accordion, and they all politely nod, but I can tell that they don't believe me. They always say, "It looks so complicated." I think you made a good point about the piano accordion's initial appearance looking clean and simple, but it's only simple in the key of C. Try any other key signature and the piano is very complicated. Many key signatures on the piano are downright difficult to play. The chromatic is definitely the simpler instrument to play and what you have demonstrated is only one of the reasons. I hope you will make more videos showing other advantages of the chromatic.

Your speaking voice is great, thanks for taking the time to make this video

Great video! I used to play Alto Saxophone back in my band days but lately I've been really wanting to learn the accordion but I wasn't sure which kind I should try and this video has helped a lot to show both types of accordion's differences, thank you

Very smart demonstration. Here is my personal opinion. The piano is a well proven instrument. There are plenty of virtuoso pianists and piano accordionists in the world. However, my observations tell me that in general, virtuoso chromatic accordionists significantly outperform virtuoso piano accordionists. The obvious conclusion is that no matter what your musical talent, for the same effort you can reach a higher skill level on the chromatic than you can on the piano accordion. The simplicity of playing in different key signatures on the chromatic, as demonstrated in this video, is probably one of the main reasons why. I would also add that chromatic accordionists seem to play faster with less effort. Perhaps this has to do with the notes being closer together?

This is 2024 and Ijust found this browsing RU-vid. I hobby with piano accordion, but thank you so much for a very clear explanation of the chromatic button accordion. It was clear and precise and with my old fingers I think chromatic button might be worth a change. It seems Scandinavian players favor it from what I've seen. Is Roxy Music still in business?

Finally someone who doesn't cover what their fingers are doing :) I can acutally see which buttons you're pressing :)

Thanks for sharing.

Very well explained! thanks!

That was super informative, thanks.

A great lecture. Thanks a lot

You're a lovable guy. :) Thanks for the videos. I'm saving up for a FR-1xb. I just downloaded an app for my tablet that lets me start learning the button patterns. I was under the impression (from what I've read) that you weren't supposed to use rows 4 and 5 as a beginner.

Thank you. Very good and helpfully video.

Well explained. Thank you!

Odds are that if you are learning to play a classical piece, for example, you'll seldom find the need to transpose to different keys. However, where it comes in handy is in pop or rock. If you're playing with other musicians or a singer, being instantly able to change keys is a distinct advantage. Also many pop songs change key within the song--usually up a half step--and in that instance the flexibility is invaluable.

When I as a guitarist began to be interested in the pianoforte, one of the very first things I noticed the difficulty to transpose ad hoc. So even before I could play reasonably complex music, I spend some time with design concepts for the keyboard, and as a result I came up with three designs that I wanted to try out in practice. One of them is known as Janko layout and was conceived at least in the 1650s by a Catholic priest. Well, after about a year or so I was able to make the fallowing judgement: The traditional keyboard is the very best choice for a "clavier instruments" (organ, pianoforte, clavichord etc.) which you play in front of you. The traditional keyboard offers you the best possible level of comfort and control. The real issue with music is, that it is written in all those different so called keys. It would give some advantage to use tools that allow you to change the pitch (and thus to transpose) without writing the musical piece in different keys, like using a capodaster for a guitar; things like this exist but are very uncommon. (Btw. I understand that the best way to tune instruments with traditional keyboard is not equal temperament but, for example a meantone. Then it even at least to some degree sense to write pieces in certain keys.) On the regular Stradella Bass Accordion, where you have only one hand to play the discant, the piano keyboard is a serious disadvantage, since even melody lines of basic classical music cannot be performed due to the fact that the hand cannot reach intervals comfortably which are bigger than an undecime. A two row symmetrical layout (6+6) is only slightly better here. But with a three row system like the typical chromatic button layout (regardless if b-griff or c-griff) solves the problem, which is why I prefer it over the classical piano (or rather organ) keyboard layout, even though it is less uniform than the symmetric two row system. You can reach two octaves without too much stress. This makes it possible to play almost all of your classical guitar music, for example, even without using the left bass side (which usually has different soundig reeds which don't fit so well to the left side, when combined in melody).

Thank you so much!!! Excellent video!!

Hi There this is Mr C. T. Boxill-Harris, I was wondering if they need to do the exact same version of Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime, why don’t they just Replace the Synthesiser String Sound to an Musette Accordion sound, and also Replace the Xylophone Sound to an 5 Times More Deeper Chime Bell or Even a 7 Times More Deeper Still Drum Sound, Because it is Still my Very Very Very Very Favourite Song Ever Since I was about 11 Years of Age Thank You 😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏😉👍😉👏👏

You make a very convincing case for the chromatic keyboard Leon. I must admit that the thought of thinking in patterns rather than the sharps and flats that was drummed into my head for years is just bit intimidating but enticing. I have always played three or four note chords when playing on the piano style and I usually see only two or three note chords played on the button keyboard. I really like the look of the button style accordion. That in itself maybe could sway me over. You play the Fr1 and the Fr7x, I'd appreciate your opinion about the Fr3x. You can message me privately if you would rather not post it publicly. I really enjoy your postings. Maybe one day you will play a piece or two?

very interesting, thank you!

Thank you for this informative video. I wonder if you could help me with the fingering for a 4-row chromatic button accordion. I'm starting out and don't want to get into bad habits from the get-go. Sure would appreciate any help you can give me.

starting out now and like to know where can i learn this patterns style you speak on this video as i did not see it in the book i have?

Your website is gone. I love that beautiful orange Roland.

Will you provide titles, perhaps links to, chromatic accordion method books? Google couldn't.

Hi Leon, greetings from Copenhagen Denmark, great video, as also the series 'Chromatic Myths and Tips' is. As an absolute beginner playing a Bugari chromatic 120 bass accordion, your clear instructions in the videos has and is a great inspiration and encouragement, thank you. Is it possible to find your videos regarding the button accordeon in one place ?. Best regards from Jorn.

Excellent video presented clearly, without bias, and with honesty. I am a pianist who used to play mostly in C and A- Since I became familiar with all 12 major scaled, though I did not completely master them, and probably never will, it has made me a far more technically proficient pianist because I memorized all the "peaks" an "valleys" patterns in all 12 keys, and I can predict better which key will make the next sound in the melody line. Preparing the fingers with efficiency, is key to the improvement of technique. (as you mentioned in some other video I viewed ) Will you please make a video describing the major differences between the 3 different button systems layout logic, which you discussed in this or some other video of yours.? I think you said that it is the French system which you chose. I was not able to find anything that explains it with the clarity that you do. Thank you in advance, Abraham

Great video. I learned on Button Chromatic from the get go. Now explain that there are two predominant systems of the Button Chromatic Accordion! They are: The "C" layout, and played mostly in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Finland, and Sweden. (This is the one demonstrated here) And the "B" layout, played mostly in Russia, the Balkans, Germany, and Netherlands. Your concert Russian "bayans" are of this type. Keep squeezing!

Wonderful presentation sir. Very clearly described. I recently purchased my fr x1b acordeon and know absolutely nothing of the button accordion but I am eager to learn it as soon as possible. Your videos are a great help. I started going through the manual and realize that there is so many capabilities to this Roland V accordion. I would love to see a video of you going through all the functionalities of this precious instrument. It's an absolute marvel of technology and it brings so much joy to the person that is privileged to own one. I had not been able to afford an accordion for years and years and now finally I have my very own amazing Roland V Accordion!. Thanks you again sir.

Can you suggest me a good method to study the button accordion?

Do you still sell them? Your website shows them as all out of stock.

chordaphone players: look what he must do to mimic a fraction of my power

OMG… I think I just found my ADHD dream instrument! 😍

Chromatic is easier to learn (IMO) compared to the puzzle that is the Diatonic button accordion.. Also, switching between diatonic and chromatic is WAY EASIER than diatonic with PA..

Are minor scales the same? I was afraid of this accordion until now

look this mexican norteno band called LOS CANELOS DE DURANGO-OSCAR OLIVAS they use piano and are the kings of narco ballads

Alf Hagedal sent me here. 😁