International Chromatic Layout

The "international chromatic layout", for want of a better name, is most commonly found on the right hand of chromatic button accordions and is the isomorphic core of both Peguri and Manoury layout bandonions and is also used on both hands of Geuns hybrid bandonions and so called "C-griff" and "B-griff" unisonoric bandonions by other makers.

The chromatic layout is an excellent arrangement on 5 and even 4 rows of buttons, although this greatly increases the size of the instrument. However 3 and even 4 row keyboards using the chromatic layout are rather more limited than a 3 row Atzarin layout.

The biggest drawback of the international chromatic layout is its uncomfortable, cramped fingering style which often requires crossing fingers, as well as an unnatural wrist position. On the whole, it is completely alien for players of diatonic accordions and is probably not the best choice to "upgrade" from a diatonic to a chromatic instrument nor from a bisonoric, non-isomorphic instrument to an isomorphic one.

If you've ever tried the international chromatic accordion but gave up because of the difficult and uncomfortable fingering or were put off by the sheer size and weight of accordions using this system, but are still interested in learning to play music, or if you're looking to overcome the limitations and drawbacks of conventional bisonoric, diatonic and chromatic accordions, you should definitely think about getting an Atzarin instrument!

International chromatic C and B system layouts