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Foot Bass Discussion (Continued)


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http://moonsagotunestheblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/foot-bass-ec.html

 

Picture and description 1

 

http://moonsagotunestheblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/foot-bass-on-step.html

 

Picture and description 2

 

As for the weight... well, I'm not sure, but maybe it's given online somewhere... don't have time to check right now. I can tell you that it's not really that heavy, it's lighter than my (smallish) piano accordion. Just a bit awkward, of course -- I mean, it's a big rectangular box, one that you don't want to bash around!

 

(I started this new topic so as not to hog up any more of the TOTM thread.)

 

Hmm, I'll see if I can attach the same pics... though, my comments are in my blog entries, or at Flickr (the links).

 

post-39-0-26915400-1369782108_thumb.jpg

post-39-0-80628300-1369782048_thumb.jpg

 

The aerobic step that it's on top of is my own addition -- the idea is to use the metal loops on the bottom of the instrument, but I prefer the step.

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So this is plainly not something one can use without consideration of chair height.... just to shove it down in front of your chair and expect to get comfortable is going to take some effort ??

 

Your Bar stool approach suggests to me that you are in a semi standing position so as to apply pressure to the FB without back strain ?

 

I could imagine taking a normal height chair with a strong back to it and having the FB a little further from, the chair so it would be more like pushing out to press the pedals of a Car.... Though perhaps the movement could be more one of hingeing the Ancle ?

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So this is plainly not something one can use without consideration of chair height...

 

On the one hand I'd really like to add one of these to the flock - OTOH it's not least the availability of the instrument (just take it up and play...) that I like that much with playing the EC...

 

Too bad that my reed organ already requires two feet for pumping... :mellow:

Edited by blue eyed sailor
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So this is plainly not something one can use without consideration of chair height...

 

On the one hand I'd really like to add one of these to the flock - OTOH it's not least the availability of the instrument (just take it up and play...) that I like that much with playing the EC...

 

Too bad that my reed organ already requires two feet for pumping... :mellow:

 

 

Hmm, I'm not sure if anyone ever would have played this standing up... maybe? I've never even tried that, but I'm pretty sure I'd want my chair. As for sitting, I'd say you want to have your knees not higher than your lap. Since I use the 'table' (step) to set my foot bass on, I need a higher chair, which is no problem since those are the chairs we have, anyway.

 

The bass does spring back up, of course, after you press it down with the foot, and I don't always let it fully up, but at times I have to, or there won't be enough air ( -- nothing pushing from the other side, like with a concertina and TWO hands!). So... seems to me that would be difficult, if not seated well.

 

 

Also, I've noticed that sometimes, if the tone seems a bit off (relative to my concertina) due to maybe too much or too little humidity (or whatever), I might be able to fix that problem by how much pressure my foot gives, and in what style -- more reason to be sitting well.

 

 

As for portability...

 

Well, it's not exactly 'grab & go,' like the compact concertina, but it IS fairly easy to manage (if you don't have this chronic neck pain I'm dealing with! :blink: ). It has a case with a handle, though I never use cases much.

 

Since I'm fairly stationary anyway, I like leaving it set out in my living room (renamed the reeding room), and it actually dominates that room. I've played it more lately, in between (attempts at) gardening and whatever.

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I'll add one more note since I'm at the computer now...

 

Though the wonderful folks at The Button Box had not worked on a foot bass before mine, they did a super job of fixing it up, two or three times. For some strange reason I needed to get a reed or two replaced. (It seems that the instrument has maybe 'settled in' now, and has stopped acting up.) Fortunately, I live close enough (about 1-1/2 to 2 hours from them) that I did not have to ship it, just drove it there.

 

Anyway, I can tell you that it definitely takes two people to work on it, to open it up and so on.

 

The reeds are special since they are so big, and had to be obtained from the maker in Belgium when I needed a repair, which wasn't a big problem.

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As for portability...

 

Well, it's not exactly 'grab & go,' like the compact concertina, but it IS fairly easy to manage (if you don't have this chronic neck pain I'm dealing with! :blink: ). It has a case with a handle, though I never use cases much.

 

Since I'm fairly stationary anyway, I like leaving it set out in my living room (renamed the reeding room), and it actually dominates that room. I've played it more lately, in between (attempts at) gardening and whatever.

 

Of course you're right regaring your "stationary" setting.

 

As I said, I took up the EC because of its portability, and then fell in love with its pure tone... But I don't just come back to the piano but - for gig performances in particular - also to the PA (and have even made my peace with the German "wet tuning"). The reed organ needs lots of TLC in order to recover playability.

 

The foot bass is surely another great extension of musical prospects.

 

I wish you all the best regarding your health restrictions!

Edited by blue eyed sailor
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