Hi, I would love some advice from anyone, really, about how piano accordion basses should be played in ITM or how people like them to be played. I know a lot of people don’t play them at all but I need to for a competition so I would really appreciate some advice. 🙂
Hmmmmm…..not sure I could comment, as I’m a fretted string player. On the other hand I do a lot of accompaniment, and of course the bass is the accompaniment on a PA.
As a bass-player I regard my main objective as keeping up the rhythm, and secondly the harmonic progression of the tune, focussing on the tonic and the dominant. Thirdly I would put runs from whatever is the relevant chord to the next one - not sure I’ve ever heard a PA player do that. I would urge crispness in the bass, from bar to bar, so that you are not leaving the notes running continuously ( which I would call the street-busker style ).
Don’t forget, also, that there are three parts to a PA; the keyboard, the bass, and the bellows. A skilful use of the bellows will enhance the dexterity at the two ends of the instrument.
It’s possible to play the basses all the time but still sparingly. Listen to this guy - three tunes in distinctively different styles (and on a two-row melodeon, but I’d say the "rules" still apply):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNOnv0H7z0U
Here’s the other extreme - rock-solid, unrelenting on-beat bass. This would work exceedingly well if you were playing solo for a huge ceili, but in a session would surely result in a pint tipped over your head or a slap with a large trout. As for competitions, sorry, I have no idea.
https://youtu.be/Mx4QVouu8qI
This is how to play them both slowly and at 3:01, in reel time. What you’re hearing is a light touch of chords on the upbeat with occasional downbeat bass and an intermittent use of drone notes. A light touch is everything.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y_3Ebuo66o#t=185
Thanks for the help
nice tune there jeff in your first link, https://thesession.org/tunes/11784
Yeah, that’s a great set. La Boite a Frissons is a good starter tune, especially when followed by Lusignac.
