Hi, Carol C and all -- I started to post earlier this a.m. and kept getting interruptions. Finally...

You know, I bought my old accordion (too large for me, really, but I like it) second-hand at an auction for $45.00. It sounded okay, and I hadn't really been looking for one, so I never even took note of who made it! It's a piano accordion, with the typical bass buttons, a 'product of Panaccordion' and is a 'Video.' I think it was used in a band, because it had a performers name on it and also some kind of pick-up, which I removed. Someday, maybe I'll buy something else, but this one's okay. Just one high note won't work, in one direction.

I struggle a bit with the physicality of accordion playing. It takes devotion, almost like a sport. The more I'm on my computer, the worse I am at the accordion. I got to where I could speed along on a few things, then, couldn't even play them! I get a lot of mental blocks -- can't stand public performing anymore -- sometimes even my own tape recorder scares me! I have done some public (church & amateur-type) stuff, in the past. Maybe I'll get over that.

I have one little not-so-great sample of my playing/singing of one of my songs, on a message board as audio, at http://www.coolboard.com/boardshow.cfm?mb=8007991376808

What I've tried to do is work up a little repetoire of old traditional, singable ballads, like old English and American, i.e., The Lark In The Morning, and some Polkas, and what I really love is old Gypsy music. I'm learning a few off an album of fiddle player Anton Kocze (I think it's Anton, I've forgotten for a moment). Anyway, he was the 'King of the Gypsies.'

Less singable, but also great to work on, is classical. I found a good guy to listen to, Henry Doktorski. (The Classical Free Reed.) He plays a 'free bass' accordion, and I thought for sure that's what I should get. It is better suited for classical if you really get good, I guess, but I'm very happy with the Stradella type, the bass in rows of fifths -- the standard type. I almost think it offers more creative possibilities.

Whew! Talkie, talkie. I'd better go...