ACCORDION NOTATION 3
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
Recall (from Unit 3) that we need to take account of the pattern of duration for the various notes that is essential to melody and melodic rhythm.
Our reference for duration is the beat, or beat interval, such as can be provided, for example, by tapping your foot at a uniform rate, or by the beat of a drum, or by the click or tone of a metronome.
Dots (or periods, if you wish) are my preferred way of representing whole beat-intervals, of duration one beat-interval or larger. For example,
Recall (from Unit 3) that we need to take account of the pattern of duration for the various notes that is essential to melody and melodic rhythm.
Our reference for duration is the beat, or beat interval, such as can be provided, for example, by tapping your foot at a uniform rate, or by the beat of a drum, or by the click or tone of a metronome.
Dots (or periods, if you wish) are my preferred way of representing whole beat-intervals, of duration one beat-interval or larger. 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.
C. Fine-tuning the Timing & Notation
For durations of less than one beat interval, apostrophes (or quote marks) may be used. For example:
For durations of less than one beat interval, apostrophes (or quote marks) may be used. For example:
- An apostrophe (or single quote), such as '6 , means press and hold the button for a count of one-quarter of a beat interval.
- Two apostrophes (or a double quote), such as "6 , means press and hold the button for a count of two quarters (= one-half) of a beat interval.
- A triple apostrophe (or triple quote, which equals a single quote & double quote combined), such as '"6 , means press and hold the button for a count of three-quarters of a beat interval.