advice for beginning accordion

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: Peter T.
Date: 07 Dec 02 - 02:12 PM

I'm with CarolC, it is getting tiresome. It can't be stopped, but please, you are not breaking new witty ground here. yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: GUEST,J Shand jnr
Date: 07 Dec 02 - 02:15 PM

Peter T be interesting, make a new point or piss off.

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: CarolC
Date: 07 Dec 02 - 02:27 PM

Hi J Shand jnr

Yeah, I think it's important to be able to take a joke. I even played along a bit in the beginning of this thread. However, I think the amount of joking on this thread goes beyond what is considered acceptable in the Mudcat on a serious music thread. I'm sure you can understand that.

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: Bernard
Date: 08 Dec 02 - 05:07 PM

One reason why I rarely visit Mudcat these days is the excessive attempts at 'points scoring' by people who obviously have nothing better to do.

If this were a face-to-face conversation between people, the so-called jokers would be in hospital by now...

I'm no spoilsport, I enjoy a good joke as much as anyone else. However, when it is done specifically to annoy, it is no longer a joke, but a taunt - and, therefore, unacceptable here.

If you can't understand that, tough!

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: vectis
Date: 08 Dec 02 - 07:24 PM

On a serious note. Pick the thing up and play it DAILY even for a short time. You improve rapidly if you do.
I agree with Declan that smaller boxes are quieter and therefore marginally more popular with other musicians. You are going to have to live with the prejudice of others against accordions because of the inconsiderate players who do drown out a roomful of instruments because they don't realise/care/think that they could be quieter.

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: Peter T.
Date: 08 Dec 02 - 07:47 PM

Does anyone who plays accordion and piano who might be here find any difficulty shifting backwards and forwards to piano? I notice that the accordion piano keys are smaller. This must have some effect on muscle memory for octaves, 6ths, etc. Or does the mind compensate?
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: Amos
Date: 08 Dec 02 - 08:22 PM

The mind accomodates the change in short order when you make a comparable shift between a wide-necked Spanish and a thin-necked steel guitar, or even a ukelele -- it seems to be a different set of parameters than those used to describe the actual playing, so using a smaller set of spaces physically quickly becomes as natural as the larger. I expect keyboards are similar.

A

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: BusbitterfraeScotland
Date: 08 Dec 02 - 08:27 PM

DONT
because people will start making jokes about the accordion.

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: CarolC
Date: 08 Dec 02 - 11:39 PM

Peter, I have difficulty going from one size accordion to another. My guess is that it's because I started playing the accordion rather late in life. When you can't see your fingers or what they're doing, you have to rely on muscle memory. I'm guessing it takes longer to train muscle memory for a task that's learned later in life than it does for something that's learned when we are younger. I've met accordionists who don't have any trouble changing sizes, but most of them have been playing since they were young.

Skipjack may be an exception to this. I think he started playing accordion in his thirties, and he seems to be able to switch sizes without too much difficulty, but he's also a very talented musician, something I can't really say about myself.

That's my theory, anyway.

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: COINWOLF
Date: 09 Dec 02 - 06:37 PM

My wife wants me to sell my accordion because of my dreadful attempts at playing, she says surprisingly that the singing is Ok if I stand in a big enough field!

Is this encouragement or what!

Her flute playing is wonderful, (she is standing looking over my shoulder).

Can some agony aunt advise?

I have to admit that humming to the accordion is a very disturbing experience, but if I sing at the same time the dog starts howling!

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: Dead Horse
Date: 10 Dec 02 - 08:27 AM

What's all this about small boxes being quieter? I just got me a Cajun tit noir an' it sure aint drowned out by no three-row-star-spangled half ton job, not when all the stops are out anyway. The whole point of the box being loud is so you can here it on a crowded dance floor. Can't do that with no high falutin' whistle!!!
God's synthesiser rules, O.K.

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: vectis
Date: 10 Dec 02 - 07:36 PM

Everything YOU play is in the key of loud DH

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: jets
Date: 10 Dec 02 - 07:52 PM

I feel bad evrytime I go to the bank to cash the check that I recieved for playing the accordion at some venue,for I know ,from all that has been said here:That people do not like to hear the accordion. Makes me wonder what I am being paid for. This summer I went to the bank 25 times. I do not get checks when I am busking.so we can not count that. Joe The Old Port Busker.

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 23 Dec 03 - 09:51 AM

May I humbly suggest
Technique: Piano Accordion for The Recycled Muso

Robin

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: GUEST,happy new accordianist
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 08:14 AM

Hello out this is my first posting I picked up a nice piano tipe accordian at a yard sale,I guess I,am looking for to fast of self gratification   but finding sheet music or tab for beer barrel polka, and the intro for smoke on the water would be a riot.   thanks

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: Peter T.
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 09:56 AM

Welcome!!!! There is a small cadre of accordionists here.

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: buttonbox
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 06:53 PM

new comprehensive tutor book for BC 2 row button box coming next year 2005 - will also include comprehensive tuition for 3 row BCC# box which is a natural progression for 2 row players wanting a full accordion sound. Expressions of interest to me via mudcat personal message so that you can be sent more info nearer to publication

thanks bb

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 07:23 PM

beer barrel polka

Smoke on the water

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 24 Dec 04 - 05:59 AM

Oh SK8, you're such a tease...

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: GUEST,happy accordionist
Date: 27 Dec 04 - 05:03 PM

oh skipjack you really seem to know alot about the accordion , thanks for the help.

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 27 Dec 04 - 06:59 PM

Sorry, didn't know that first one was a duffer. Try JC's search, but I suspect Bee Flat is a swine to play in. Bung it into G or C and make life for your right hand a bit easier.

Smoke on the Water isn't a smash hit accordion tune, if you mean the Purple dirge.

Dignify your request by joining as a member and I'd be quite happy to be of more help.

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 28 Dec 04 - 01:05 AM

I seem to remember being told a while ago in teh chat room that there is a Mudcatter (or someone heard by a mudcatter) that does do "Smoke on the Water" on Piano Accordion - would be interested in trying it myself, but I don't play by ear, but was trained to play by memory after seeing the sheet music....

I would hardly call it a piece for 'beginning accordion' though...