Information > Bass chords
The number of bass chords in a two-row melodeon is usually 8. This is not a lot, but with a little creativity it can be expanded. Here you find how.
We assume an melodeon in GC tuning with 8 buttons on the bass side. We write the bass notes with a capital letter and the bass chords with a small letter, just like the bass accompaniment in the tablature.
A melodeon with GC tuning normally has 6 different bass notes and bass chords, namely:
Pulling: (A am) (D d) (F f) (G g)
Pushing: (E e) (G g) (F f) (C c)
The (G g) and (F f) occur twice and can be played both pushing and pulling.
The number of bass chords to accompany a melody is therefore limited.
However, it is possible to play or simulate a number of other bass chords.
7 chords (seventh chords)
​When a 7 is placed next to a chord, it means that a note has been added to the chord.
A C7 chord has the 7th note from the C scale added to the C chord; this is a B.
A C chord consists of the notes: C E G and a C7 chord consists of: C E G B.
A G chord has the 7th note from the G scale added to the G chord; this is an F.
A G chord consists of the notes: G B D and a G7 chord consists of: G B D F.
There are different types of seventh chords, but for the melodion only the major and minor seventh chords are important.​
You can look at the music theory too for an explanation about minor and major scales.
​
Minor 7 chords
The Em7 chord as played in the “Sombre Waltz” (see Tab GC).
You should actually play the E bass and then the E bass at the same time as the g chord.
If you play the E bass at the same time as the g chord, you get an Em7 chord, as you can see below.
E + g = E + (G B D) = (E G B D) = Em7 playing pushing
You can also play the E bass and then the g chord, as in the example above. Strictly speaking, this is not an Em7 (but a G/E chord), but it suggests it enough, so that it seems like an Em7 chord is being played.
The same goes for the Dm7 chord in the example.
D + f = D + (F A C) = (D F A C) = Dm7 playing pulling
You can also play the D bass and then the f chord. Strictly speaking, an F/D chord, but it seems like a Dm7 chord is being played.
​
​
Major 7-akkoorden
​The G7 chord as played in "Da-Ja" (see Tab GCa)
You should actually play the G bass and then the G bass at the same time as the b chord.
If you play the G bass at the same time as the b chord you get a G7 chord, as you can see below.
G + b = G + (B D F) = (G B D F) = G7 play pulling
​
To play a C7 chord you need to play a C bass at the same time as an e chord.
C + e = C + (E G Bb) = C E G Bb = C7 play pushing
If you apply this to differently tuned melodeons you get the following table.