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[Mike Hirst]

In response to a recent request I am posting some links relating to the use of diatonic accordions in Brazil. The request was specifically about the use of semitone layout. I claim no particular expertise in this area. I am making this post in spirit of sharing, and in the hope that others perhaps with more info might come forward.

Starting point for my investigation was this link :

http://ensaios.musicodobrasil.com.br/leorugero-asanfonadeoitobaixos.htm

which came out of this recent forum discussion:

http://forum.melodeon.net/index.php/topic,9353.msg116417.html#msg116417

As far as I can make out there are several diatonic systems common in Brazil. These include fourth apart boxes - C/F and Bb/Eb are widely used; club boxes; and a slightly altered variant of B/C, which is commonly played with F as the home key. Examples of these instruments can be seen on this site:

http://www.acordeom.com.br/

and here:

http://uruguaiana.olx.com.br/pictures/vendo-uma-gaita-ponto-iid-8751410

Hohner instruments are common (Hohner once had a factory in Brazil). Other makes include Scandalli, Todeschini and Minuano.

From this wikipedia article:

http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaita-ponto

It would appear that there are two distinct styles. In the North Forro and in the South the music of the Gaucho. Links below give examples of both styles:

• Bastinho dos 8 Baixos
• Machadinho dos 8 Baixos - O pequeno "Grande" Mestre do Pé de Bode
• Chamarisco - Gaita Ponto
• La Milonga - Gaita ponto
• Milonga para as Missões-Renato Borghetti e Arthur Bonilla
• Gilberto Monteiro _ Prelúdio pra um Beija Flor

I am keen to find out more about this music. It is not always easy to determine what system is being used and I am not clear on either the history of the two styles or whether there are regional preferences for key or layout.

[doktorfolkenstein]

Muito obrigado! I need to brush up on my Portuguese...