The big little one!
Beloved of the Cumbia and Nortena crowd but increasingly more popular with everyone, these have three full rows each in a different key four apart, like a two row but with an extra one. Typically these come in the following keys but to be honest these get re-tuned to all kinds of combinations. They will normally be 12 bass . (4 for each key . i.e another set of 4 for the extra row) Many more modern high end boxes have a full accidental row which really makes them a two row box with accidentals. the three row has three full diatonic scales, one for each row.
- GCF
- ADG
- Bb Eb Ab
- C#DG . yes you spotted it . this is a two row diatonic with a two row chromatic conjoined twin
- BCC# and so is this! but this one tends to have the Stradella bass confusing isn’t it?
There are all kinds of oddities turn up in the older versions of these, we have seen them with a gleighton on 1, 2 and all three rows! there are fewer accidentals and reversals because they are simply not needed due to the third row. These older boxes tend to be tuned fairly wet, that is a lot of tremolo which helps to punch the sound out in a noisy environment or outdoors.
Often seen as the answer to the limitations of the two row, if you want to maximise your repertoire with one box then this could be the one for you. If you want it LOUD the older boxes are a good place to start as well, but because of the size and weight these tend to be less nimble when it comes to punchy in and out playing, but not everyone want to play morris music!
- One row diatonic button Accordion or Melodeon (e.g Hohner HA114 . including cajun quebecois etc)
- Two row Diatonic Button Accordion or Melodeon (e.g Hohner Pokerwork including 2 1/2 row)
- Club Accordion (eg Hohner Cub IIB)
- Three row Diatonic Button Accordion (e.g Hohner Corona)
- Two row Chromatic Button Accordion (e.g Hohner Double Ray small)
- Chromatic Button Accordion (full size)
