Looking to learn more about writing for bandoneon and how the bandoneon can be utilized in composition? Check out this article about the unique history and features of the bandoneon, as well as offering tips and techniques for composers looking to info about writing for the bandoneon.
If you are a composer or an arranger, with this article you’ll learn a bit more about how to incorporate the bandoneon into your music.
Note: These specifications refer to a specific kind of bandoneon, the “142 Rheinische”, which is the standard bandoneon in tango and in other main genres. Other models may differ.
Table of contents
- General features
- Range of notes
- Poliphony
- Sound Volumes and Dynamics
- Tuning
- Writing and Composing
- Technical Limits
- Sound and Tone
- Effects and Articulation
- Representative genres
- Brands of bandoneons
General features
The bandoneon is a free reed instrument belonging to the Concertina family. It was invented in Germany in the mid-nineteenth century to play German folklore, but it gained great popularity in Argentina and Uruguay due to the tango.
The sound is produced by the movement of the bellows and the vibrations of 2 reeds for each note. In the bandoneon 142, the same key produces two different notes when opening (pulling) or closing (pushing) the bellows. This type of bandoneon is called bisonoric (or, diatonic, improperly). There are also unisonoric bandoneons (improperly called chromatic).
The bandoneon can play in all tonalities.
Writing for bandoneon: Know the Range of notes
The bandoneon is a chromatic instrument with a total range of notes from C2 to A6.
- Left keyboard: from C2 to A4 (but many models have B4 or even B♭4);
- Right keyboard: from A3 to A6;
- (Actually, a standard bandoneon 142 has B6, but B♭6 is missing).
There is a partial overlap of the 2 keyboards from A3 to A4.
For a better understanding about the bandoneon keyboard, you can read this article about bandoneon keyboard layout.
Polyphonic Writing for Bandoneon
The bandoneon is a polyphonic instrument. As it can be played with 2 hands and 4 fingers each, it permits up to 8 notes simultaneously in a chord. Some virtuosos can, in certain cases, play up to 5 notes with each hand.
Because of the chaotic layout of its keyboards it is possible to play chords made by very distant intervals with each hand. In addition to being able to play melodies accompanied by chords, the bandoneon is a counterpoint instrument: theoretically, it is possible to play up to four melodic lines simultaneously.
The bandoneon has sound characteristics that are similar to those of woodwind instruments. Composing for the bandoneon is similar to composing for a section of woodwinds, although the bandoneon is not a transposing instrument.
Sound Volumes and Dynamics for Correct Writing for Bandoneon
In the bandoneon, it is possible to play from (ppp) to (fff). In the older instruments the pianissimo could always be louder than a pianissimo in a modern instrument.
The change of volume intensity can be soft and progressive or sudden.
The two keyboards always play at the same volume because they are directly connected by the bellows.
Tuning
The bandoneon is generally tuned with A=442 Hz. This is the most common option for tango because of its more brilliant sound in orchestra. In general, it is the standard tuning for any bandoneon 142.
I have tried to answer the reason why 442 Hz is tuned in this article about the mystery of the 442 Hz tuning in bandoneon.
Writing for Bandoneon: Same Staff as Piano
The bandoneon’s staff is the same as for the grand piano.
The bandoneon is not a transposing instrument.
The composer can specify in the score when the bandoneon player should open or close the instrument. In general, this decision is left to the player.
Technical limits
- It is not possible to obtain extremely long and sustained notes without a small interruption between them due to the fact that the sound of the bandoneon is produced by the opening or closing of the bellows.
- Some notes are missing closing or opening.
- When playing very loud, the intonation tends to drop even by half a tone, especially in the lower notes.
- The sound of the bandoneon when pulling the bellows is a bit different than when pushing it. Similarly, the most effective sound effects are obtained by pulling the bellows, even though a technically well-trained bandoneon player can obtain very similar sound effects when closing the bellows.
Sound and Tone
When playing a note on the bandoneon 142, the characteristic sound is produced by the simultaneous vibration of two reeds at the distance of a perfect octave. A well-tuned bandoneon doesn’t produce a beat effect.
The sound of the bandoneon is very “dry”, with a quick attack and no sustain.
The sound of the left keyboard is slightly different from the right one due to a wooden “resonance” box from which the sound emanates. This gives the left keyboard a mellower and more nasal sound.
Some bandoneon players suggest that there is a significant difference in tone between the vintage instruments and modern instruments. This means that those who want to play a vintage sound typically use vintage instruments, similar to how guitar players prefer old Fender guitars to get that specific sound.
Writing for Bandoneon with Effects and Articulation
- The bandoneon can sustain notes at a constant volume, similar to a pipe organ.
- The volume can change progressively or suddenly.
- Due to the great responsiveness of the keyboards, the bandoneon can play legato, staccato, non legato. The non legato is considered as the more characteristic articulation of the bandoneon.
- A significant effect of the bandoneon is marcato, achieved by pulling or pushing the bellows with hits from a wrist movement, typically supported by a bounce on the leg.
- Bellows shake is another possible effect and technique.
- The arrastre is a very typical effect in tango, obtained by slightly anticipating the note and bouncing the instrument on the leg, giving the feeling that the sound is dragged and then launched with force.
Representative genres
Tradicional:
- Tango;
- Chamamé and folklore from Misiones and Corrientes provinces in Argentina;
- Folklore from Argentina Northeast (zamba, chacarera etc.);
- German folklore;
- Classical music.
Contemporary:
- Tango Nuevo;
- Modern Folklore;
- Rock and Pop Music;
- Jazz;
- Others.
Examples of use in Cinema:
- Il Postino (composer: Luis Bacalov);
- Il Piccolo Diavolo (composer: Evan Lurie).
Brands of bandoneons
The most highly regarded brands of vintage instruments are Doble A and Premier (both manufactured by the same company, Alfred Arnold). ELA instruments are also considered excellent, although their sound is often considered less resonant due to their reed supports generally being made of aluminum instead of zinc, as in the case of the Doble A. Additionally, there are excellent instruments of German craftsmanship that are relatively unknown due to their rarity, such as the Birnstock.
All the vintage instruments were produced in Germany, and those produced before the 2WW are considered the best. Instruments produced during or after 2WW are of much lower quality. The massive production of vintage instruments ceased in the 1950s.
Nowadays, there are several manufacturers of excellent brand-new instruments. Among the most highly regarded are Baltazar Estol in Argentina, Heeju Oh in Germany/France, and Uwe Hartenahuer in Germany.
PDF Download – Writing for Bandoneon
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