Hi, I'm ordering a B/C accordion and have a choice between a McComiskey or Burke bass layout. Does anyone have any info or opinions on which might be better and why? Thanks
I can't remember off the top of my head what notes are in these two layouts but I think the Burke has C's on both the lower to buttons on the press whereas the McComiskey has a D. Either way, getting a D on the press is important, and I'm pretty sure the McComiskey has one. If I were you I'd check with the people your getting the box from what is in each layout and make sure you get a G and a D in both directions.
my box hax, press/draw, bottom to top, inside row then outside row:
D/G G/D
C/F E/A
and there are no thirds in any of the chords
this makes accompanying tunes in G maj quite straightforward, D maj is a little harder, but the plus is that I can also manage odd squeaks in D minor, G minor, A major A minor, C major and minor, E maj and mi F maj
despite all these apparent advantages, I seldom use the basses when playing with others, because I use E and B keys on both rows and this really messes up the D maj accompaniment. Also, drawing air through the big bass reeds upsets the pressure across the treble reeds and affects the pulse of the tune.
How come no-one ever seems to include an F# in their Bass set up like some Hohners have? After all lots of tunes use F# don't they. And why do you need a D on the press? when i use it on the press it sounds out of place.
Hohners have an F# bass because it is the Four chord in the B scale. Since most Irish music is in D or G or A,
You need a press D to play against the press F#. (the third of the D chord).
I have Burke. I like it very much. Several professional players have played my box and seem to like it. A B and an F# would improve it dramatically.
I am beginning to consider John Williams bass layout though. (I am currently looking for a 12 bass). It has alot of flexibility. Somone said is was similar to the french bass.
I think the primary difference between the McComiskey/Paolo Soprani basses and the Burke basses boils down to the ergonomics of style. The McComiskey layout keeps V-I resolutions under the fingers whereas the Burke layout enables one to drone continuously on D and/or G.
It is difficult when one first dons the accordion to decide which of these layouts is most appealing, but simplistically put: the McComiskey system is probably closer to the piano; Burke’s is probably more akin to the pipes (although I am in no way speaking authoritatively). It probably boils down to how you want to play and with whom you want to play.
If I may boldly add my two cents, I think the McComiskey basses are probably harder to learn, but are more harmonically rewarding because they put that powerful V-I resolution right under the fingers. ‘Wood’s Lamentation’ on Billy McComiskey’s ‘Making the Rounds’ demonstrates well the capacity of the layout. It has been my experience, however, that the style this enables often clashes with accompanists who haven’t a familiarity with it.
B/C Bass Layout
B/C Bass Layout
Hi, I'm ordering a B/C accordion and have a choice between a McComiskey or Burke bass layout. Does anyone have any info or opinions on which might be better and why? Thanks
# Posted on January 21st 2008 by Stuporman
Re: B/C Bass Layout
I can't remember off the top of my head what notes are in these two layouts but I think the Burke has C's on both the lower to buttons on the press whereas the McComiskey has a D. Either way, getting a D on the press is important, and I'm pretty sure the McComiskey has one. If I were you I'd check with the people your getting the box from what is in each layout and make sure you get a G and a D in both directions.
# Posted on January 21st 2008 by kjay_bc_box
Re: B/C Bass Layout
*you're* getting the box from obviously. Silly me.
# Posted on January 21st 2008 by kjay_bc_box
Re: B/C Bass Layout
Joe Burke has D on the bottom outside bases on the press.
9
# Posted on January 21st 2008 by gooseinthenettles
Re: B/C Bass Layout
my box hax, press/draw, bottom to top, inside row then outside row:
D/G G/D
C/F E/A
and there are no thirds in any of the chords
this makes accompanying tunes in G maj quite straightforward, D maj is a little harder, but the plus is that I can also manage odd squeaks in D minor, G minor, A major A minor, C major and minor, E maj and mi F maj
despite all these apparent advantages, I seldom use the basses when playing with others, because I use E and B keys on both rows and this really messes up the D maj accompaniment. Also, drawing air through the big bass reeds upsets the pressure across the treble reeds and affects the pulse of the tune.
# Posted on January 21st 2008 by millionyears_bc
Re: B/C Bass Layout
sorry, outside row then inside row
# Posted on January 21st 2008 by millionyears_bc
Re: B/C Bass Layout
How come no-one ever seems to include an F# in their Bass set up like some Hohners have? After all lots of tunes use F# don't they. And why do you need a D on the press? when i use it on the press it sounds out of place.
# Posted on January 21st 2008 by upmine3
Re: B/C Bass Layout
I have a Joe Burke bass set-up and my basses are:
Chin
e/a d/d
E/A D/D
c/f g/g
C/F G/G
Hohners have an F# bass because it is the Four chord in the B scale. Since most Irish music is in D or G or A,
You need a press D to play against the press F#. (the third of the D chord).
# Posted on January 22nd 2008 by GoatBasher
Re: B/C Bass Layout
That should have said
Since most Irish music is in D or G or A, the F# is minor chord and is less common.
# Posted on January 22nd 2008 by GoatBasher
Re: B/C Bass Layout
I have Burke. I like it very much. Several professional players have played my box and seem to like it. A B and an F# would improve it dramatically.
I am beginning to consider John Williams bass layout though. (I am currently looking for a 12 bass). It has alot of flexibility. Somone said is was similar to the french bass.
# Posted on January 22nd 2008 by zippydw
Re: B/C Bass Layout
The following (excellent) webpage may be of some assistance: http://www.red-bean.com/~noel/keyboard-layouts/basses/LAYOUTS.html
I think the primary difference between the McComiskey/Paolo Soprani basses and the Burke basses boils down to the ergonomics of style. The McComiskey layout keeps V-I resolutions under the fingers whereas the Burke layout enables one to drone continuously on D and/or G.
It is difficult when one first dons the accordion to decide which of these layouts is most appealing, but simplistically put: the McComiskey system is probably closer to the piano; Burke’s is probably more akin to the pipes (although I am in no way speaking authoritatively). It probably boils down to how you want to play and with whom you want to play.
If I may boldly add my two cents, I think the McComiskey basses are probably harder to learn, but are more harmonically rewarding because they put that powerful V-I resolution right under the fingers. ‘Wood’s Lamentation’ on Billy McComiskey’s ‘Making the Rounds’ demonstrates well the capacity of the layout. It has been my experience, however, that the style this enables often clashes with accompanists who haven’t a familiarity with it.
# Posted on January 28th 2008 by Peter Brice