Variations on the 2 Row, 23 Button Diatonic Keyboard
Standard
This is the standard, off-the-shelf 23 button layout. I'm showing a 12 bass layout, but for 8 bass, just leave off the top 4 buttons. What more do I need to say? It does a little bit of everything. Basically, its a 2 row 21 button with low notes and the extra 2 buttons are assigned to accidentals- thereby combining advantages of both the new and old standard systems. The accidentals are set up for playing accidentals conveniently within the home keys, especially in tunes which favor the key of C. The downside to most 23 button configurations is that the accidentals are even harder to reach than on a 21 button. The twelve basses are a direct (mindless?) borrowing from the 3 row button accordion. Its not the most useful setup for this treble configuration, but it is probably the most common 12 button setup. One sees both 8 bass and 12 bass setups. 8 bass uses the same setup as 21 button accordions.
Standard 2 row 23 button G/C
With Reversed Accidentals
This is the standard layout except that the accidentals are reversed. Advantages over the standard are as detailed in the 2row discussion.
2 row 23 button G/C with reversed accidentals
Connemara Style
This layout utilizes the same treble as the standard, but a more logical 12 bass system, which is the standard bass used on the Saltarelle Connemara 2 1/2 row instrument. Basically, this is the setup used on the Connemara if you leave off the half row. The setup is just marginally better than the standard setup. It offers a pull reversal for the C chord, and that is it's chief advantage over the standard system.
2 row 23 button G/C Connemara
Loffet style
Here is a slight modification to the standard treble side, which is inspired by the treble setup of the Loffet Pro series. Rather than the low notes from the old 21 button accordions, this setup continues the scale downward with some minor tweaking to avoid duplication. I have recieved comments on the usefulness of this system from some very good players, and I know that it has worked well for me on my own Loffet Pro. This also has the reversed accidentals. The system could be improved by fine tuning the bass setup given here. The original Loffet basses were intended for a 2 1/2 row instrument, with all the associated possibilities implied by that. With the more limited 23 treble buttons, one might do better to stay closer to home with the basses. 2 row 23 button G/C Loffet
