Reading and Playing Music Notation

Benefits

Link notes, chords, scales, intervals and keys to music notation.

Link music notation to keyboard finger location and patterns.

Use the notated music to analyze musical structure and determine best fingering note fingering.

Link rhythm notation to rhythm patterns.

Play the music using three different fingering patterns: first the scale based on finger 1, then the scale based on finger 2, and finally the scale based on finger 3.

The Music

A useful collection of music is posted at:

http://www.bushtraditions.org/tutors/inrow.htm

The Practice

Select a tune.

Using finger position 1, locate and play the tune's notes. Then play the tune in rhythm at a slow steady tempo. 

Using finger position 2, do the same.

Using finger position 3, do the same.

With practice, increase the tempo of the tune up to dance speed.

Select another tune and do the same steps to play the tune in each finger position.

Flexible Fingering Patterns

To reestablish basic finger flexibility, accuracy, and patterns, begin and end each practice day with scales and chords in every key throughout the keyboard and use the three fingering patterns, those based on finger 2, on finger 3 and finger 4.

During the practice day, when working on current and new music projects, you notice that the scale used in various musical sections shifts, usually to a related key based on the Circle of Fifths.

You notice that you are playing a scale pattern but the basic pattern is now based on a different finger.  For example, you start playing the first section using a scale pattern based on finger 2. In the next section the scale and chords shift to a related key with a pattern based on finger 4.

So rather than always shifting your fingers to play scales based on finger 2, by playing scales equally well based on fingers 2, 3, and 4, you don't have to move your hand position, which helps playing accuracy.

Finger and Mental Flexibility Exercise

On a C major scale, start on G with finger 3 and play down to C and back up to G. (Notice that the C was played with finger 2.) 

Using the same major scale, start on G with finger 4 and play down to C and back up to G. (Notice that the C was played with finger 3.) 

Using the same major scale, start on G with finger 2 and play down to C and back up to G. (Notice that the C was played with finger 4.) 

Now mix up the patterns by playing alternate buttons on half of the pattern. For example, start with finger 3 on G and end with finger 4 on C. Then shift the finger 4 on C to finger 3. Start playing the pattern upwards and half way up shift to alternate buttons and end on G with finger 2. Mix the pattern up into its various combinations.

For practice, work out various fingerings on Irish jigs and reels. 

http://www.irishtune.info/session/tunes.php

http://www.novasession.org/sheetmusic.html#.Uyj8yPldVyJ

http://www.thegrotonsession.com/tuneindex.html

Fingering Patterns for Chromatic Accordion

Searching the internet confirms this idea of combining fingering patterns.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromatic_button_accordion 

Types of Fingering

On the left hand, use finger 3 as the basis for the scale.

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Accordion/Left_hand/Lesson_4 

Robert Smith, although for piano accordion, explores the variety of fingering styles that you can adapt to your practice.

http://www.ksanti.net/free-reed/reviews/smith-rl_fingering.html

Eric Butterworth has amassed a resource for Bulgarian folk accordion music. He recommends fingering based on fingers 1 (thumb), 2 and 3. His fingering drills are an excellent resource to adapt to your current fingering practice.

http://www.goldov.com/butterw/emdb/

http://www.goldov.com/butterw/emdb/tutorial.html

Sandra Milosevic plays Serbian and Bulgarian folk music on piano accordion using primarily fingers 1, 2, and 3.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ8Vr9bs8ag&list=RDr72harldNuU 

However, for chromatic button accordion, use fingers 2, 3, and 4, as shown in the link below by Danijela Predic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyIHsDOANY8

Super Mario Theme on CBA

How about some chordal playing? The left hand is in Free Bass mode, playing single notes on all buttons. This feature is not commonly available.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GI2a7_XfKaI

Add Grace Note Patterns Throughout the Keyboard

Simple tunes become more interesting when embellishments (grace notes) are added to the basic melody.

Now that you are comfortable with scale and chord patterns throughout the keyboard based on one finger pattern, adding a grace note pattern to each note adds flexibility to your playing. Embellishments often use notes a half step below and above the main note. Hence, you are incorporating non-scale notes into your playing. Hence interest to the music. 

Because you are adding non-scale notes, you want to be very secure with scales and chords before adding grace notes. Otherwise, you become confused and frustrated.

Embellishments

The basic grace note is playing a half step below or above the main note before playing the main note.

The turn embellishment is playing a half step below the main note, then playing the main note, then playing a half step above the main note, then playing the main note or beginning a half step above the main note and reversing the pattern.

The following link lists various types of embellishments. 


http://dictionary.onmusic.org/appendix/topics/ornaments

Stylistic Musical Ornamentation

Various musical styles often involve particular types of ornamentation.


For example, Bulgarian at the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfM1tX1efeQ


For example, Irish at the link below.

http://www.tradschool.com/en/tunes/ornamentation-in-irish-music


For example, ornament performance at the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGvRUIO170w


For example, Serbian at the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCrNORbMuR0


For example, Romanian at the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrjIFrGr5Gc


Noam Oxman plays a song in its original style, then in Serbian, Romanian, Bulgarian, and Macedonian styles. Notice the different use of grace notes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t17BI-tHI-4

Getting Around the Keyboard

Now you want to really settle in a scale pattern. 

For example, the major scale with the fingering that starts with finger 2.


The goal is to be comfortable and accurate throughout the keyboard.

The outcome you are working for is to be play the pattern naturally without thinking about it. Then increase speed while maintaining consistent rhythm and accuracy.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Begin with the lowest note on the keyboard than has two rows of buttons to the right so that you can play the finger 2 pattern.

Play the major scale to the highest note then back down using fingers 2, 3 and 4.

Then play the scale's major chord from the beginning note to the highest chord note and back down using fingers 2, 3, and 4.

In the left hand play the root and major chord while the right hand is playing the corresponding scale and chord.


Now go up a half step and do the same thing on half step higher. Begin with finger 2 on a button that has two rows to the right. Use the same fingers and the same pattern.  Play the scale then the chord while playing the root and major chord with the left hand.

Continue going up by half steps until you have played all of the major scales.


Again, the goal is to become comfortable and accurate throughout the keyboard at various tempos (speeds).  


Next would be to do the same thing using the natural minor scale.

Then harmonic minor scale.

Then melodic minor scale.

Then dominant seventh scale.

Then minor seventh scale.

Then diminished scale


You notice that the consistent fingering of starting with finger 2 is increasing your confidence to play anywhere on the keyboard. 

Natural Minor Scales using song "Apple" (Яблочко)

Natural Minor Scale

The Russian Sailor Dance "Яблочко" (transliterated Ya-bloch-ka) uses all of the notes of the natural minor scale.

The natural minor scale uses the notes of its related major scale.  The natural minor of "C" Major is "A" natural minor. So a natural minor scale based on "C" Major are the notes from "A" to "A."

So practice the major scales using the three fingering patterns (finger 2 on C, finger 3 on C, and finger 4 on C).

Then go down two steps and practice the same scales from "A" to "A."

A lot of songs use minor keys, so it is good to get comfortable with the fingering pattern of a minor scale. 

After you get comfortable with the natural minor scale, add in chords, arpeggios, note patterns and chromatics.

Theme and Variations

A lot of songs are played in the form of theme and variations, in which more and different notes are played each time the song is repeated.

The following video demonstrates this style of playing using the song "Яблочко."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi4jV4BAWEY

The song's notes:

A   A   E F G      E  F  D   A  E  C      A  D  D  A  B  C      C   B   A  B  C   A  

A  D  D  A  B  C      C  B  A  B  C  A

Chords - Arpeggiated Melodies

Many melodies are chord notes played in sequence with occasional scale notes added. So, many melodies can be played by placing fingers over chord patterns. The thumb (finger 1) becomes useful for playing the lowest notes in a chord.

A song that demonstrates an arpeggiated melody is Clarinet Polka. 
["The Clarinet Polka" or "A Hupfata"^[1] (Polish "Polka Dziadek", Estonian "Vanaisa polka", Russian "Полька Дедушка" – Grandpa Polka)]

https://www.google.com/search?q=clarinet+polka&safe=off&espv=210&es_sm=93&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=W237UofrEIrJ0gGV_YDACw&ved=0CCkQsAQ&biw=932&bih=687

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WCMzRLov58

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarinet_Polka

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqKxcNVtm9k

Perfect Practice Makes Perfect Performance

At the beginning of each practice session, reestablish and reinforce perfect performance of the basics before introducing work on a new skill.

Scale and chord patterns are based on using three vertical rows of buttons.

Finger 2 in the Left-most Vertical Row of Three Rows

The primary pattern begins with finger 2 in the left-most vertical row of buttons.

Begin with two-octave chromatic scales up and down. When you have played them several times correctly, evenly, and crisply, move on to the next skill.

Play major scale two octaves up and down.  After several correct performances, move to the next skill.

Play natural minor scale two octaves up and down.  After several correct performances, move to the next skill.

Play major and minor scale segments of three to six notes up and down.

Finger 3 in the Center Vertical Row of Three Rows

Move the hand to the left one row and perform the above sequence beginning with finger 3 in the center of the three vertical rows.

Finger 4 in the Right Vertical Row of Three Rows

Move the hand to the left one row and perform the above sequence beginning with finger 4 in the right of the three vertical rows.

Chord Notes as Melody

As you play more music, adapt the basic playing techniques to the requirements of the music. 

For example, you start with a finger 2 pattern, but a certain section fits more easily using a finger 3 pattern.  Experiment with blending various fingering patterns to best fit the music requirements.

Chord Patterns

The primary pattern begins with finger 2 in the left-most vertical row of buttons.

Perform a major chord arpeggio two octaves up and down.

Then perform a minor chord arpeggio two octaves up and down.

Then perform a dominant seventh arpeggio two octaves up and down.

Alternating Pairs of Fingering

Minka Variations

The Cossack song "Minka" offers a good opportunity for practicing alternating pairings of fingerings. The pair of notes played is usually the melody note and a harmonizing note that is the interval of a third or sixth away. As the melody moves and the notes change, the notes are played by alternating pairs of fingers. Notes played by the even fingers (2 and 4) are followed by notes played by the odd fingers (3 and 5), followed by notes played by the even fingers, and so on.

Play C Major scale up and down using only fingers 4 and 5. Begin with the finger 5 on the "C" in the middle of the keyboard on row 3 (counting the rows from right (outside) to left (inside).

[on B-System:]

[note:  C  D  E  F  G  A  B  C]

[row:    3  4  2  4  2  3   1  3]

[finger: 5  4  5  4  5  4  5  4]  


Then play the C natural minor scale (3 flats) using fingers 4 and 5.

[on B-System:]

[note:  C  D  Eb  F  G  Ab Bb C]

[row:    3  4  3   4  2   4   2  3]

[finger: 5  4  5   4  5   4   5  4]  

Play Minka with fingers 4 and 5.

C Eb  C Eb C Eb  D  C  B  D  B  D  B  D  C  B
       [repeat 2x]                [repeat 2x]          
4  5   4  5  4  5   4  5  4  5  4   5   4  5  5  4      


C Eb  C Eb C Eb  D  C  B  D  G  B  C  D
       [repeat 2x]                          
4  5   4  5  4  5   4  5  4  4   5  4  5  4  


Eb G Eb G Eb G   F  Eb  D  F  D  F  D  F  Eb D  
       [repeat 2x]                [repeat 2x]          
4  5   4  5  4  5   4  5  4  5  4   5   4  5  4   5        


C Eb  C Eb C Eb  D  C  B  D  G  B  C  Eb  C
       [repeat 2x]                          
4  5   4  5  4  5   4  5  4  4  5  4   4  5   4    

              
Play Minka with harmonizing notes a sixth below played with finger 2 when finger 4 is used, and with finger 3 when finger 5 is used.

Harmonizing notes for Minka to be played at the same time as the melody above.

Eb G Eb G Eb G   F  Eb  D  F  D  F  D  F  Eb D
       [repeat 2x]                [repeat 2x]          
2   3  2  3  2  3   2  3   2  3   2  3  2  3  3   2    


Eb G Eb G Eb G   F  Eb  D  F  B  D  Eb F  
       [repeat 2x]                          
2  3   2  3  2  3   2  3   2  2   3  2  3   2      


G Bb G Bb G  Bb  Ab  G  F  Ab  F  Ab  F  Ab G  F
       [repeat 2x]                    [repeat 2x]          
2  3  2  3  2   3    2   3  2  3   2  3  2  3   2   3           


Eb G Eb G Eb G   F  Eb  D  F   B  D  Eb  G  Eb
       [repeat 2x]                          
2  3   2  3   2  3  2  3   2   2   3  2   2   3   2     

When playing Minka, fingering is adjusted based on the melody line. Sometimes the same set of fingers jump to play a next set of notes. Sometimes the lower finger will now play the note that was previously played by the higher finger. Another skill to develop is to play the same note or notes with alternating fingers, which repeats the notes as in a tremolo.

Below are some recordings of Minka.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLvFilT5HoE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxKjQEO-i1g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp88c6IeGBI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5JE6s9FeGc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YisgJFlKlg