On the Other Hand

Left Hand Equality

The left-hand side of the accordion with a stradella layout has the two rows closest to the bellows as single notes. The twelve notes of the chromatic scale in one octave is available. Sometimes there is a third row of single-note buttons.

With register switches, that becomes multiple octaves, often high, middle. and low. That is 36 notes, which is a pretty good match to the right hand keyboard.

The Titano-Palmer quint converter layout gives all three octaves across the keyboard. The two rows closest to the bellows being the low octave, and the two rows closest to outside edge being the high octave. 

Goal for the Exercises

The following exercises bring extension, flexibility, and strength to fingers 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the left hand. Consequently, the exercises can also enhance your ability to play other left-hand button layouts, such as a chromatic layout.

Play All Twelve Notes on One Row

While this develops your left hand ability, it also establishes your memory of the button layout, so you can quickly find a note when you need. The following exercises are done on a single vertical row of buttons.

Major Scale--

Beginning with the central "C" button, play the C Major scale up and down. The pattern is two tetrachords.

        C, D, E, F (fingers 4, 3, 2, 5)

        G, A, B, C (fingers 4, 3, 2, 5)

Then move up two buttons to "D" and play the D Major scale. Continue to move up two buttons and play the next scale, until you reach the top of the keyboard.

Then return to the C Major scale. Then continue to move down two buttons and play that button's scale, until you reach the bottom of the keyboard.

Demonstration of major scales played by the left hand--

Natural Minor Scale--

Beginning with the central "A" button, play the A Minor scale up and down. The pattern is two different tetrachords. The second tetrachord begins with a stretch up and down (E, F)

        A, B, C, D (fingers 3, 2, 5, 4)

        E, F, G, A  (fingers 2, 5, 4, 3)

Then move up two buttons to "B" and play the B Natural Minor scale. Continue to move up two buttons and play the next scale, until you reach the top of the keyboard.

Then return to the A Natural Minor scale. Then continue to move down two buttons and play that button's scale, until you reach the bottom of the keyboard.

Chromatic Scale Ascending--

Beginning with the central "C" button, play the C Chromatic scale up to the top of the keyboard using fingers 5 and 2. The pattern ascends by half-steps with finger 2 extending upward seven buttons, then finger 5 moves upward by two buttons.

Next, begin at the bottom of the keyboard on that row and play the ascending chromatic scale until you reach the top of the keyboard.

Chromatic Scale Descending--

Beginning with the central "C" button, play the C Chromatic scale down to the bottom of the keyboard using fingers 2 and 5. The pattern descends by half-steps with finger 5 extending downward seven buttons, then finger 5 moves downward by two buttons.

Next, begin at the top of the keyboard on that row and play the descending chromatic scale until you reach the bottom of the keyboard.

Demonstration of playing chromatic scale with the left hand--

Repeat--

Repeat the exercises on other single-note rows.