The Bayan is a type of chromatic accordion invented in Russia in 1907. What sets it apart from other chromatic accordions, like the piano accordion, is that it has chromatic buttons. The composition of the internal workings are different; the reeds are rectangular and broader, rather than trapezoidal. The form factor of the instrument is that the keyboard does not, like piano and western chromatic, rest against the chest when playing, rather it is slightly positioned forward to allow for more ergonomic play and better hand stabilization. When it comes to the variety of sounds it produces, in the world of accordions, they are are at the top.
Typically, full scale concert Bayans are built with double tone chambers, four sets of reeds, and a melodic bass. Any combination of the four sets of reeds can be accessed through a selection of fifteen registers (normally above the keyboard), two out of four reeds are in the tone chamber (Low and Middle). The other two are outside the tone chamber (Another middle, and High). Chin switches (Beards) can be seen on top of the instrument, some programmable some not, are designed to allow the player to change voices without disturbing the hand. With the added reeds of Low and high, the five and a half octave range of the right hand keyboard can be extended to upwards of eight octaves! The left side is the same as any piano accordion, but the difference lies in the converter switch which turns the ready chords into single notes, hence its name melodic bass. This opens up huge opportunity for transcriptions and piano works, and is the go-to accordion for classical repertoire.
This model is my ideal projection. It does not have fifteen register switches. Instead, it has programmable chin switches which can access all fifteen register combinations. You can see paired symbols for the registers next to each Beard, which signifies its programmability. Designs were inspired by Jupiter Bayan Lux, and my old Soviet era Start Bayan.
#music #accordion #instrument #instruments #harmonica #box #squeeze #organ #bandoneon #guitar #piano #chromatic #bass
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