Can we talk about accordions please?

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: GUEST,julie u, again
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 10:07 AM

re Hohner - good instrument, can't go wrong. if you are starting out then go with the student grade. they have a nice sound, responsive. i have an 80 bass that travels with me. it fits quite nicely in the overhead compartment of the airplane, has sufficient ranges for the traditional folk repetoire (unless you like to play in eflat). 40 basses also are nice for folk and makes the instrument even more compact. 2. Sound -go for a least a double middle (2 reed banks on the right). gives you some variation. some folks cannot live without 4 banks of reeds in the R and multiples in the L also , but, the more you ask for, just like the extras on the car, the more you pay. you can always upgrade if this is your bag. 3. accoridons do not like to be left in the sun, in the shower, smoke environs, extreme cold (you can break reeds) they like AC and clean dry homes

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: GUEST,julie u
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 09:56 AM

1. the accordion was the premiere jazz instrument until the 50' when the shift went the guitar and then the electronic keyboard. you can bend notes with an accordion, just like a harmonica. 2. sounds - which model to buy. just like a car, depends on what you want it for. each instrument has a different voice. the reeds vary in quality (student grade and up). then its the bellows that are use to give the expression and vocal quality to those reeds. 3. sexy - tango - mostly done on bandoneon ( another member of the family) suggest Astor Piazzola or another- "The tango project" think scent of a woman. they are the trio (violin, accordion, piano) playing in the background. you want earth - then the king "Cliton Chenier" zydeco (he plalys the piano, not the button box) - 4. finnish - tend to play chromatic button - they are known for their tangos - REALLY- 5. the bass configuration is really quite simple. circle of 5ths, and the counter basses are a 1/2 note down. makes it easy to change key. - this does not work for the freebasses which are individual keys - ergo you can play piano music, l and r hands, as written.

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: selby
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 08:35 AM

Returned from Whitby Folk Week on Saturday after attending some accordian workshops the overall drift at the moment is get used to your LEFT hand by playing simple tune's on the Bass buttons ( apparently nursery rhymes are good for this ).The buttons are laid out in an uncomplicated manner apparently ( must be different to mine ).According to the great John Kirkpatrick this method, later on allows you to add intresting harmonies,also the guitarist three cord trick can be used effectivley. Sam Pirt is at the present moment I believe at the Tonder Festival in Denmark but I will get a message to him that this thread is live on his return. Must go practice Bobby Shafto on the left hand

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: CarolC
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 08:05 AM

Thanks Nick, it shall be done. (Probably within the next 2 to 3 days.)

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: GUEST,Nick
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 07:05 AM

Hi Carol!

No one is giving you any proper replies so I thought that I would. I play mainly English dance music on mine plus some Irish and French etc. You should listen to John Kirkpatrick as he is the boss! Although his right hand is all buttons (B C C#) his left hand is the same as ours and he actually uses the bass buttons. Phil Cunningham is great of course but doesn't really use the bass so if you copy him you'll end up not knowing what they're all for and as for Sam Pirt, unless he's done a deal with the Devil recently at the Crossroads he's nothing to me (based on playing in a session with him a few years ago, things may have improved though). Mail me if you want to chat in detail about all this [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: CarolC
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 10:22 PM

Ok, I've got some questions.

Scabby Doug, what make is your accordion? Is it a piano accordion? Did you ever play accordion before you bought that one? Do you have any particular type of sound that you want to get from your accordion (softly melodic, fast and spirited, oom pah pah, etc.)? Will you be playing Phil Cunningham type of music on it? Anything else?

Does anyone know if people who play Finnish music on the accordion (and know what they are doing), think that a Honer is acceptable for that kind of music?

Are Honers good for anything besides oom pah pah?

I would love it if other people with piano accordions would tell me about their instruments and how they feel about them, and also about the type of music that they play on them. If they are uncomfortable about doing this on a thread, they could send me a PM.

I think I saw Sam Pirt's name in the Rick and Susan face England thread. I'm assuming he's a Mudcat member? Sam, if you're there, would you be willing to contribute to this discussion?

Scabby Doug, thanks for peeking out of the closet. It's a brave thing that you've done.

Best wishes,

Carol

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 07:19 AM

But Sam Pirt's the finest mere mortal!

Skipjack

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 07:17 AM

What an embarrassing omission, Lox.

Its Shazza diatonically, and Phil chromatically, agreed?

Skipjack

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: Lox
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 07:13 AM

(baby...)

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: Lox
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 07:03 AM

Don't forget Sharon Shannon

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 06:37 AM

Tush, Carol, you reject the true accordion threads for the only one with a troll taking part!

Like Scabs says, Phil's the man. Hoping to see him next month with the saintly Aly Bain, in Lincolnshire, UK. Can't wait

Skipjack

ps. Carol, do you ever sleep?

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: GUEST,Scabby Doug (poking head from the closet)
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 03:59 AM

Hi, umm. confession time. I bought a second-hand accordion the other week. It was £18, and got it at the Barras - the fleamarket in Glasgow.

I don't play - yet - but I will. It seems to be mreo or less in tune, and although it is eveidently elderly, it has a great rich sound.

Carol - take heart - you are not alone.

For real accordion music - check out Phil Cunningham.

He is the man.

Cheers

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: CarolC
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 01:09 AM

leeneia,

Do you play the accordion? I'm enjoying the hell out of the little game the boys and I have been playing, but I would love some serious discussion as well.

I started this thread because I was having an interesting discussion about accordions on another, rather lengthy, and unrelated thread. I thought I should bring it here, but it seems that all of the accordion players have gone back into the closet.

Best wishes,

Carol

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 01:03 AM

If you want sexy accordion music, see if you can get hold of the recordings called "The Tango Project" which were issued by Nonesuch as (gasp!) vinyl LP's in the 1980's. They were so good, perhaps they are now available in another form.

There is actually a college-level program in accordion at the University of Missouri in Kansas City. I believe it is the only one in the world. The department has to submit to constant harrassment of the form you are now enduring from certain puerile Mudcatters, but nonetheless it soldiers on.

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: CarolC
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 12:55 AM

I'll show you mine if you show me yours.

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: Lox
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 12:53 AM

....noticing her ample cleavage, he asked if she would show him her squeezebox....

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: CarolC
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 12:42 AM

Spaw, you can't even begin to imagine...(Ahem. Never mind.)

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 12:38 AM

ROTFLMAO= Rolling On The Floor Laughing My Ass Off

Carol, since most accordion players only know two tunes, one of which is "Lady of Spain" and the other isn't...........Playing something sexy will depend upon the size of your breasts.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: Lox
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 12:30 AM

What does ROTFLMAO mean?

No matter how I try and say it, it just won't trip lightly off the tongue.

(I can't find it in the (in a very posh voice) 'Oxford English Dictionary', either.

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: CarolC
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 12:25 AM

Ahhhh.....A man after my own heart.

Thanks Lox

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: CarolC
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 12:20 AM

PLEASE IGNORE THOSE OTHER ACCORDION THREADS. THIS IS THE REAL ACCORDION THREAD. THE OTHERS ARE IMPOSTERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: Troll
Date: 24 Aug 00 - 11:49 PM

Lox:

ROTFLMAO! Thats GREAT!!!

troll

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: Lox
Date: 24 Aug 00 - 11:32 PM

Humphry Bogart pulled his hat down over his eyes and dropped his cigarette on the shiny wet cobblestones.

With a fizz, it died, leaving a small ashy residue at it's tip.

Plucking up his courage, he tucked himself deeper into his coat and hurried down the alley between the high walls of the houses on either side, making sure not to get caught in the gushing overflow that poured out from one of the many balconies that loomed overhead.

He rounded a corner, and stopped dead. His worst fears had been confirmed.

There she was! She was dressed in white trousers and a straw hat. She had bells tied to her ankles and was cavorting gaily with a troop of similarly attired men and women.

Lighting another cigarette, he faced the dreadful truth. She was a closet morris dancer.

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: Troll
Date: 24 Aug 00 - 10:47 PM

Sorry Lox. This looks promising. Pray continue.

troll

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: CarolC
Date: 24 Aug 00 - 10:46 PM

No, Lox, keep going.

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: Lox
Date: 24 Aug 00 - 10:42 PM

The place .... Paris

The year .... 1952

The weather ... etc...

(quick somebody stop me)

Lox ;^)

Subject: RE: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 24 Aug 00 - 10:37 PM

You can probably play sexy music with anything. Why not with an accordion? I've seen some amazing stuff played on the accordion, and I only wish I had the ability...or the time...or whatever. You know how it is.

Subject: Can we talk about accordions please?
From: CarolC
Date: 24 Aug 00 - 10:28 PM

I'm discovering that there are more accordion people around here than I previously suspected. I've just started learning to play (about four months), and there are no people I know of in my area who also play the piano accordion. I could really use some input from people who have more experience/knowledge than me. What kind do you play? What do you like about it? What differences have you noticed between different makes? Can you play sexy music with a Hohner? What kind of music do you play? (Etc, etc, etc.)

Can we talk?