INTRO TO ACCORDION MUSIC 2
A. A Simple Basic Notation for the Right Hand
Recall (from Unit 2) that the right-hand treble buttons are numbered from 1 to 11 for the outside row (o), and from 1 to 10 for the inside row (i), from accordion top (near chin) to bottom. The melodic tone associated with each note, in a selected accordion key and row, is written in terms of right-hand button numbers, with
- plain button numbers (such as 4 5 7 3 ) if the bellows are to be pushed or compressed, and by
- button numbers and an asterisk, or star (such as 3* 6* 5* ) if the bellows are to be pulled or expanded.
B. A Rhythmic Notation for Simple Familiar Melodies
Next, we take account of the pattern of duration for the various notes that is essential to melody and melodic rhythm.
In this BA1 mini-course, our reference for duration is the beat, or beat interval, such as can be provided, for example, by tapping your foot uniformly, or by the beat of a drum, or by the click or tone of a metronome.
Dots (or periods, if you prefer) are my preferred way of representing durations of one beat- interval or larger for relatively simple melodies. For example,
Next, we take account of the pattern of duration for the various notes that is essential to melody and melodic rhythm.
In this BA1 mini-course, our reference for duration is the beat, or beat interval, such as can be provided, for example, by tapping your foot uniformly, or by the beat of a drum, or by the click or tone of a metronome.
Dots (or periods, if you prefer) are my preferred way of representing durations of one beat- interval or larger for relatively simple melodies. For example,
- a dot or period (such as .7 ) means press and hold button 7 for one beat interval.
- a colon, which is really two dots (such as :6 ) means press and hold for two beat intervals.
- a dot and a colon (such as .:6 ) for three beat intervals, and
- two colons (such as ::6 ) for four beat intervals.