Learning Accordion

Subject: Learning ACCORDION
From: gnu
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 04:39 PM

A recent thread got me to thinking that I have an excellent opportunity to learn to play the accordion. I just picked up the family accordion today. It's smaller than I remember, but, then again, the last time I held it was when I was a child.

In anticipation of getting my hands on it, I telephoned two music "academies" in a town nearby, but no teachers. I called a buddy who is a local muscian of note, but he knows of noone around these here parts who would teach. He doesn't even know anyone who plays !!!

Apart from placing an ad in the local newspaper, I have only two avenues left. Firstly, do any of you 'Cats know of anyone/any website that sell books / videos teaching the acccordian ? Of course, secondly, I will be searching the net shortly for same myself, but, word of mouth from a 'Cat would allow me to get the good stuff without getting ripped off. ( Is that phrase still valid ? )

My interest in the accordion is strictly for playing Celtic, particularly Irish flavoured folk/traditional or Acadian or Newfie Reel n' Roll.

Thanks in advance.

gnu

PS Need help soon - had accordion for four hours and already had one comment from a neighbour... "What the heck is that tune ??!!" Coincidence that I just got it and today is the first day we can open our windows without fear of freezing...sounds like a title for a short story...Fear of Freezing !!!

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: John J at home
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 05:10 PM

Where are you located, Gnu? John (Manchester, that's in England you know)

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: gnu
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 05:12 PM

New Brunswick, CAN.

Thanks for your time and interest.

gnu

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 05:22 PM

Not a tutor book but if you are interested in traditional Irish piano accordion playing, you may also like to take a look at "Karen Tweed's Irish Choice" which has 2 cassetes with the tunes available to accompany the book. I know it is availible at www.mally.com but you may find it somewhere closer to you.

Jon

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: CarolC
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 05:22 PM

Hi gnu,

Is this the Hohner of which you spoke on the "before I die" thread?

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: John J at home
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 05:29 PM

Jon's suggestion of the Mally site (if it's Dave Mallinson) will be superb Gnu. I have some Melodeon tutor books and tapes by Mally; they're really excellent. The only problem is that he's in Cleckhuddersfax (an area between Manchester and Leeds) in Yorkshire. Good luck with your learning, I'm sure you'll do well! John J

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: gnu
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 05:44 PM

Jon Freeman...Irish piano accordion ? May I avail myself of your knowledge and will you forgive me for my ignorance ? I do not understand "piano". My musical abilities and training come from the kitchen and that kitchen was sparse as far as "training" goes. I cannot even read music with any degree of competance. When I try to learn vocals by sheet, I have an awful time. It's almost all by ear. Even my Bodhran training was almost all self taught by listening to and imitating recordings of the masters. The local Hranners with whom I have jammed are surprised by certain "techniques" I employ, but also compliment me on the results. Thanks for your time and effort in helping me.

CarolC....yes. I can't believe the size of it. I remember, as a child, it was much larger, but the, I was ...you know. Wait....I'll go get it.... It says MIGNON 11. It's 10 7/8" by 5 1/8" by 5 7/8, plus keyboard, when compacted. It would have been bought in Germany between 1952 and 1960. It sounds great, as far as I know.

gnu

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: CarolC
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 05:50 PM

How wide are the keys? It sounds like you might have a child's size. How many keys and how many basses (buttons)? Also, can you see how many voices? (Should be one or more buttons or levers above the keyboard if you have more than one voice.)

Carol

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: CarolC
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 06:04 PM

BTW, a piano accordion is one with keys on the right side, and buttons on the left. A lot of Irish accordion music is played on boxes that have buttons on both sides. That's because you can play faster with buttons than you can with keys.

Carol

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: gnu
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 06:37 PM

White keys 5/8" wide. 12 buttons. No buttons above keyboard. As far as right / left, is that my right or your's ? Joke.

I suppose this is a child's size, but I am a child when it comes to learning this instrument, so....

I can still learn on it, can't I ? I should be able to make some music from it, no ? in a kitchen session, no ?

gnu

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 07:26 PM

Yes John, that is Dave Mallinson's site. He does have some excellent books.

Jon

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: CarolC
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 07:32 PM

Your keys are the same width as my Crucianelli. That's two steps down from full size, I believe.

You will be somewhat limited by the fact that you don't have many basses, and from what you've said, it sounds like you've only got about 18 keys.

But I'm thinking that you could probably play a lot of Irish pieces with only a couple of octaves. You might need to do some transposing on some pieces if they don't fit into your range in the key in which they're normally played.

The other problem is the width of your fingers. If you can fit your fingers onto 5/8th inch width keys and maneuver them around without any problems, you should be ok in that regard. 5/8th inch is a bit narrow for many mens' hands.

The other limitation is the small number of basses, but it seems to me that basses aren't used as much with Irish accordion music as with other forms of accordion music (someone please correct me if I'm wrong about that).

So, I guess if you can make it do what you want it to do, you've got yourself an accordion.

As far as lessons are concerned, I don't know what to tell you about that. I'm mostly self taught myself (and I'm still very much a beginner). I've gotten some good advice and information from the Mudcatter I told you about in the other thread, but he's too busy these days to spend any time in the Mudcat.

The best thing he did for me was to send me a tape of himself playing. He plays a bit more in the Scottish style than in the Irish style though, so you would probably do well to get as many recordings of good accordionists who play in the Irish style as you can, and listen to them constantly.

Good luck. Keep us posted on how it goes for you, ok?

Carol

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: gnu
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 07:43 PM

Thanks. I will definitely make a concerted attempt to play this instrument. The price was right. If I learn to play it, my brother may let me keep it ( borrow indefinitely ) at the right price !!

C....as for the size of the keys in relation to the size of my mits, no comment. I've learned my lesson.

gnu

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: CarolC
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 07:57 PM

;-)

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: granny
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 11:41 PM

Anyone interested in any type of accordion, check out:

http://venus.cottonwoodpress.com/capa

or, same, try: http://www.cottonwoodpress.com/capa

Also, a good source is Petosa Accordion (petosa.com).

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: gnu
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 11:44 PM

T's granny.

gnu

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: CarolC
Date: 18 Mar 01 - 12:02 AM

granny, what kind of accordion do you play?

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: GUEST,Sam Pirt
Date: 18 Mar 01 - 04:22 AM

Hi

Well its always nice to know more people are still learning the accordion. I took it up when I was 12 and I am now 21, G don't time flie!! I play a Pigini 96, Convertor Bass, piano accordion. It is so nice and there is lots you can do with bass lines, harmonies etc..

I hope you do well.

Cheers, Sam

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 18 Mar 01 - 05:33 AM

I have a friend who is learning Piano Accordion and cannot find a teacher anywhere, was it you Sam who was going to do lessons and do you go as far as South Yorkshire?. I bought Louise the Karen Tweed book and CDs (mentioned by Jon Freeman) but I think this is just a tune book (so you need to read music) and I think the CD's put my friend off a little as listening to some one playing tunes fast and well is very off putting to a beginner. For christmas I bought her a video from The Music Room and she says it is helpful. I think it was the Joey Miskulin one and it is probably available from a music shop near you
Good Luck and let me know if you find any other good tuition videos as it is my friends birthday soon and I need to find a present.......was there a video by someone like Sandy Brechin? Scottish??

Roger

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 18 Mar 01 - 06:07 AM

Sandy Brechin

anyone know if this video is helpful?

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 18 Mar 01 - 06:20 AM

Interesting thougts on hearing someone playing fast and well Roger. There are 2 sides to it but overall, I have found listning to music played fast and well encouraging rather than off putting. I think it also helps a peroson learn a particular stye/ feel.

It would be interesting to know what those who teach music think. The only lessons I had were a few classical guitar lessons and my teacher certainly encouraged me to listen to recordings.

Jon

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 18 Mar 01 - 07:03 AM

sorry Jon, I just meant that Louise found the Karen Tweed CD's great music to listen to, but needed someone to hear someone play slower to give her reachable goals as a beginner. Otherwise she would have become disheartened and given up.

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 18 Mar 01 - 07:16 AM

Roger, thanks for clarifying - I can understand that. I just thought the Karen Tweed book /CDs was an excellent example of good playing with a book to show the notes she played - something to enjoy listening to plus notation for a nice collection of tunes to keep and learn as you progress.

Jon

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 18 Mar 01 - 07:20 AM

tried here?

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: GUEST,Sam Pirt
Date: 18 Mar 01 - 09:17 AM

Hi

Without seeming like I am trying to give you a quick sales pitch, I do actually teach Piano Accordion (beg, Int & Adv) I am based in Goole, Yorkshire and would travel. I am teaching Piano Accordion at the Folkworks Summer School, held in Durham this year as well as running workshops youth workshops & sessions at Cambridge, Sidmoth and Beverly.

Feel free to get in touch if you want a lesson, in the UK of course!!

I would love top go over to the US and do some workshops but it will depend if there is enough interest.

CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE: www.sampirt.co.uk

I hope this is of some use.

Cheers, Sam

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: granny
Date: 18 Mar 01 - 12:33 PM

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...

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: granny
Date: 18 Mar 01 - 12:38 PM

Hmm...

For some reason, I get that my message board doesn't exist.

So, if you go to this page, you can get to it through there:

http://oldfashionedlovesong.homestead.com/songs.html

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: MAV
Date: 18 Mar 01 - 02:50 PM

Dear gnu,

Last summer I saw a KILLER Cajun band from New Brunswick (or Nova Scotia).

Anyway, there was a player in that band who was a virtual TORNADO on the accordion.

The band's name was "BEAU" I believe, and I highly recommend their live performance or recordings to any music lover. It's pretty far fetched compared to commercial pop, but then again isn't that why we are all here?

If you want to learn by ear a fun and hip style, check out their Zydeco-power zaniness.

They play in New Orleans and were headed for Paris the following week but are full fledged Canucks.

Of course, some basic accordion fundamentals from CarolC and company would be real helpful.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

mav out

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: CarolC
Date: 18 Mar 01 - 02:51 PM

granny, Pancordion is the company that contracted with Crucianelli to make my accordion. Pancordion is/was a U.S. company and Crucianelli is/was Italian.

The problem you're having with the one high note sounds like a bad valve. You should be able to have that fixed pretty easily. A good accordion repair person can replace it for you.

Carol

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From:
Date: 18 Mar 01 - 03:32 PM

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: CarolC
Date: 18 Mar 01 - 03:39 PM

GUEST,[e-mail], do you play the accordion?

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From:
Date: 18 Mar 01 - 03:49 PM

Hi, I'am a musician who plays Irish music on the piano accordion (we have an Irish band). I'm in the States now (Virginia) but I used to play in sessions in Oxford with Karen Tweed, and I also know Dave Mallinson (Mally). He sold me one of my first accordions. Actually, Karen will be playing with her band in Charlottseville, Virginia in the near future so I hope to meet up with her again. She's a great player. Showed me a lot of stuff!

My recommendations on playing Irish accordion: Forget about the left hand - you don't need it and you'll play Irish music better without it.It took me 20 years to work that out, but my playing improved tremendously when I droppped the left hand.

Concentrate on getting each note on the right hand correct. By that I mean give it the correct amount of time, don't skimp on it - timing is everything.

Listen as much as you can - go to Irish sessions if you can.

Practice with a metronome! Because there are so many notes and so much ornamentation in Irish music you will probably have a tendency to play faster in some places then slow down in the difficult bits. The metronome gives you consistency and timing. Essential for practising.

Forget about ornamentation until you have the basic feel for the music. But in the meantime practise triplets until you can pay them easily. It's not too hard to do - it involved running three fingers fast on the same note, one after the other - I tend to use the 4th, 3rd and 2nd fingers (second being the index finger). If you practice slowly and build up speed this is an essential tool for the Irish piano accordion player.

When you do start putting ornamentation in do it sparingly. Because you feel you've mastered it you feel you should put as much in as possile. Mistake! It's better to have too litttle ornamentation than too much, which can obscure the meoldy and to the listener sounds like just a blur of notes and looks like you're saying look what I can do, instead of just playing the music.

By not using the left hand, you give yourself more freedom to use the bellows expressively, and place the emphasis where it should be. If you listen to Irish music you'll here where the emphasis comes (in reels it's usually on the last note).

I would start with jigs first because they're easier to learn on the accordion. But listen to reels constantly until you're ready to learn them - they are harder to play but a lot of Irish musicians prefer them. It's been years since I've talked to anyone else who plays Irish piano accordion! Being here in the States I miss the sessions I used to go to in England, and all the festivals, and all the great musicians. It's making me homesick.

Hope me comments help. The main thing is to listen, and practise, practise, practise and really enjoy it.

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Mar 01 - 04:46 PM

Thanks, Carol!

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: GUEST,Granny
Date: 18 Mar 01 - 04:46 PM

Oops, I forgot to log in, the last post (Guest) is me.

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: CarolC
Date: 18 Mar 01 - 09:03 PM

I hope you don't mind terribly, gnu, but I have a question I need to ask also, and your thread seems like an excellent place to ask it. Any input from anyone would be greatly appreciated.

Ok, I've got my beautiful Italian accordion back now. Before I took it to the shop, it had serious valve problems, and a few other things that needed attention. But under all of the hiss and sputter from the bad valves, it had an incredibly sweet and melodic tone. And the sound was very pure and clear.

The man who worked on it, an elderly gentleman who is a third generation professional accordionist and repair person, plays polka type music. And from what I heard when he played his $20,000 (U.S.) rhinestone studded Hohner for me, he likes a loud, buzzy (and in my opinion, harsh) sound in an accordion. I was a little concerned that he might try to make my box sound like his, but I decided not to worry about it too much.

Well, sad to say, my box now sounds like his. I don't like the sound of it at all. I don't want to take it back to him because he had it for four months this last time, and I don't know if he could even understand what it is that I want, anyway.

Anybody got any idea what it is that he might have done to change the sound of my box, and what I might be able to do to get it changed back?

Thanks in advance,

Carol

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 18 Mar 01 - 09:27 PM

here's something for you Carol.

Jon

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: CarolC
Date: 18 Mar 01 - 09:58 PM

Thanks, Jon! That's fantastic.

I have another question now. The information Jon linked to says that it only applies to the keyboard side and not the basses. But with my accordion, the change in sound is most pronounced in the basses.

Does anyone know if something different might have been done to the basses, or if it is possible for what was described in Jon's link to be done to the basses?

Thanks,

Carol

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 19 Mar 01 - 12:25 PM

Guest Scrufie, I read your comments with great interest as some apply equaly to playing other instruments - I have a habit os slowing down and speeding up depending on the difficulty of the section of the tune
Also an accordion player at one of my local pubs drives the mandolin player to distraction with his timing, he insists on putting as much ornamentation in to his playing as possible even though it throws the timing and the tune to the wall

Roger

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: gnu
Date: 19 Mar 01 - 06:26 PM

Thanks for all the help. I will be investigating all leads as soon as things get back to normal around here... had a bit of family business to take care of, so I may only get to sit down and go over things in detail late this week. But, the world can wait a few extra days for me to make my accordion debut.

Thanks to all. I truly appreciate you time and effort.

gnu

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: mousethief
Date: 19 Mar 01 - 06:43 PM

Hope to hear you soon, Gnu! Carpe Accordiem!

Alex

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: DougR
Date: 20 Mar 01 - 04:55 PM

I read somewhere that Rick Fielding offers accordion lessons.

DougR

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: gnu
Date: 21 Mar 01 - 07:43 AM

DougR... Nope. Not Rick.

Alex... Carpe Accordiem... ROTF ! Good one.

gnu

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 21 Mar 01 - 12:50 PM

You're too kind Doug. It was only three months ago that I was eagerly absorbing information from Ozzie Bob Bolton here on how to START playing accordion. Not sure I'm gonna live long enough to start teachin' it. But thanks anyway.

Rick

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: GUEST,Sam Pirt
Date: 21 Mar 01 - 12:57 PM

Hi

Guest scrufie, I have had a lot of tuition of Karen over the 8 years I have been playing and I play lots of music from Irish to Finnish etc.. I have to say I LOVE THE LEFT HAND. It is that which to me can make a tune EVIL or VERY HAPPY. I do realise this can be also just be done with a single reed but I ask you whay will have most impact for the listener.

When I say left hand, I am not talking about um-pa bass lines (not that there's anything wrong with them) but I am taking about weird chords, runs, notes dischords OOH it gets me excited just thinking about it.

The world is your oyster if you choose to open the shell and try it, once you have tasted it once you will want more and more!!

Cheers, Sam

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: CarolC
Date: 21 Mar 01 - 03:38 PM

Right on Sam!

Carol

(Love the left hand)

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: DougR
Date: 21 Mar 01 - 03:44 PM

The only reason I posted that, Rick, was I knew how fond you are of them. :>) DougR

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 05 May 01 - 06:44 AM

Are some Accordions just much better than others? My friends bass puts my teeth on edge, yet I have heard Bernards and Sams and they sound beautiful. Do I just have to make my friend trade up to a sweeter model?

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: CarolC
Date: 06 May 01 - 05:38 PM

Hi Roger in Sheffield,

It could be the tuning. My Italian accordion sounded sweet and beautiful until it was re-tuned by an accordion repair person who only understands polka tuning. Now it sets my teeth on edge. It could probably be re-tuned to sound sweeter again. Maybe your friend's could too.

On the other hand, I don't think my German box could sound sweet regardless of the tuning. It's a loud raucous box that is well suited to parade music and maybe polkas, but the action is stiff, and it just doesn't have a 'sweet' personality.

Carol

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 06 May 01 - 09:56 PM

gnu, there used to be a band in Vancouver called NYETZ, that included an accordion. (Or is it accordian? Does anybody really know? Does anybody really care?) I wish I could remember her name....I think it might be Karen, but memory fails, as usual. The band, led by Zubin Gillespie, was wild and funny and brilliant, and Karen's playing was all of those. I have no idea if they're still together (I last heard them about 11 years ago at the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop). That's the best I can do with a Canadian accordion connection. I realize it's on the other side of the country from you, but at least it's the same country!

Jon, that was an amazing reference. It made about as much sense to me as the thread about Windows and Linux, but it did answer the question I've always had, namely, can you tune an accordion? I have a little red 48-bass Italian box that I keep trying to learn how to play. (I really want to play 50s movie music, like "Under Paris Skies") Some of the notes sound wildly out of tune, but a musician friend tells me that's just the "character" of the instrument. Now maybe one day I'll figure out how they make it have that vibrato....

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: Boab
Date: 07 May 01 - 03:54 AM

Carol---I know of a couple of Lassies in the Vancouver &Island area who play accordion without use of the basses. Have coversed with both, but I'm murder for names---one is the lass who plays with Mad Pudding from Vancouver. The other lass hails from Cumberland, on Vanc. Island.Both give the same reason for the style----why bother playing bass when several other instruments are supplying ample bass sound? The Mad Pudding performer, in fact, has a metal plate where the bass buttons should be! I play a bit myself, mainly for singing, and use any one of four machines. My favourite still is my old 120 bass three-voice Scandalli, its lineage traced back to Ireland sometime in the thirties---LAST century! That one I leave in Scotland, so I can have the comfort of an old pal when I visit Home. I have a Hohner Atlantic 80 bass which is kind of past its best, a 120 bass Hohner Atlantic 111, and another of the same make 120 bass "twenty MG" [whatever that means!]Good to see so much interest in the "box".

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 02 Dec 03 - 09:27 PM

Technique: Piano Accordion for The Recycled Muso

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: Jeri
Date: 02 Dec 03 - 10:13 PM

Thanks for refreshing this old thread. I also see that Joe Offer (apparently) has grouped all the accordion threads so they're easy to find.

I took the old antique-store accordion I bought to a friend who teaches accordion, sells and rents them. She said it was ancient and that it was messed up too badly to economically repair. She loaned me a nice 72-bass accordion and gave me a lesson and a book. (Granted, it's a kids' book, but it's helping, and I actually LIKE one of the tunes so far.)

I practice the stuff in the book, then I just mess around for a while. The left hand is able to do I, IV and V chords easily. I've managed to find appropriate minor chords, but the hand still has to learn how to find them without me actively searching. I thought I'd have problems with different scales. So far, it hasn't been too hard, but I'm playing pretty slowly. One thing that may turn out to be good is that, although I took piano lessons 100 years ago, I can't remember what most of the notes LOOK like on the keyboard, so watching my hand isn't very helpful.

I just wanted to say thanks to Foolestroupe especially, and to all others who have contibuted to these threads. This information is wonderful! Now, what say all of us who play or are learning how to play accordions get together and take over the world?

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 02 Dec 03 - 10:27 PM

Jeri,

Your approach is a reasonable one, especially if you have any previous music in you at all. Hope the Recycled Muso thread helps a little with techniques I didn't find written down when I was looking for startup help. Those beginner P/A books were frustrating and too slow paced.

Remember V + V = II ... :-)
and IV + IV = VII ... ;-)

You can skip the conterbass at first till you start getting some useful tunes under your belt - 32 bass boxes often don't have that row anyway...

Actually, I'm looking for a cheap old style metal ended P/A - I'm in Brisbane - and am very short of funds these days - depending on condition - I'd like to look at it - I may consider it salvagable where others might not... as long as no major holes in the bellows...

I want it so I can play for old style dances - pre WWII or between the wars - as plastic boxes are mostly out of period...

Robin

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: Jeri
Date: 03 Dec 03 - 03:18 PM

It's not metal-ended. It looks like it's made of that stuff they used before plastic - is it cellulose? Dark ivory pearl. My friend said the bellows that were shot. The air will sqeeze out without the keys or air button depressed.

Anyway, I'd probably have to take out a second mortgage on my house to afford shipping it to OZ from New Hampshire, USA, or you could have it. Of course, it snowed yesterday and it's FREEZING here. A Trip to OZ to deliver the accordion doesn't sound too bad. (Just kidding.)

The loaner's a 72 bass - it has the contrabass row. I can only find the close chords now, but I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to do THAT. Now, I wish I could easily find the minor chords. (I know - PRACTICE!)

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 03 Dec 03 - 05:12 PM

It could be bakelite, but I don't remember hearing that this was used. The bellows is expensive to repair - it usually has to be replace with a new hand built custom made one.

There are other ways that a leaky bellows for leaks to occur - seals around the bellows can be fixed easily, etc, but I am not likely to see it, so, if your friend KNOWS what they are talking about, it's a great pity, though, cause old instruments MAY be great tonal treasure finds....

No offense intended to your friend!

"I'd like to look at it" - I wasn't just referring to your instrument.

Robin

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: GUEST,HiHo_Silver
Date: 03 Dec 03 - 05:14 PM

Interested in self instruction for the button accordion see my message in Junior accordion thread. I do believe this will be all you will need to get started. Most Newfoundland musicians basically play the trebel side and eliminate the bass. I believe you will be a better musician if you learn to play the instrument completely. Especially for solo playing. I am in Nova Scotia and have known many Newfoundland musicians. Leave me an email address and I will talk to you one on one to help you with problems.

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: Jeri
Date: 03 Dec 03 - 06:10 PM

Foolestroupe/Robin, as to wanting to look at more than just my instrument, I don't have a digital camera and it's too cold here anyw...OH, NOW I get it! You meant whatever instrument.

On the subject of materials, I found a web page somewhere that made reference to the pre-plastic plastic-like stuff. It's like some sort of laminated material. If I can find the web page, I'll provide a link. It's a big sucker. My friend has a 120 bass accordion that's much smaller than this one, but her piano keys may be narrower. I'm average height and if I sit with it on my lap and my knees level with my hips, the top of it comes to my nose.

I hadn't figured that thing about the II and VII chords - thanks. You drop these little pearls, and to someone who has to pearls at all, they're a real find.

Subject: RE: Help: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 01:57 AM

Think I may have been half asleep before...

Get out your instrument and check this on the keyboard and buttons...

Well now

looking a the button side, they run up...

Buttons --> C [G] D [A] E is thus I [V] II [VI] III

and down (in reversre of the previous example)

C [F] Bb {Eb] Ab   ie I [IVb] 7b [IIIb] 6b

b = the flattened note


Starting all these examples from C in C Major

V + V = II

Major Scale of C - C -> G -> D - the 2nd


and IV + IV = VII

if you take two IV (steps to the left) from C on the bass buttons you actually end up with Bb which is VIIb

Confused yet?

:-)

Remember, if you place your middle finger on C, the ring finger is on IV and the index finger is on V - you can fake it well enough so that you don't need the V7 ACTUAL chord - which is two buttons along the short line

they run

Counter bass
Bass
Major
Minor
Major Seventh


Robin

Subject: RE: Learning ACCORDIAN
From: buttonbox
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 04:24 AM

new comprehensive BC button box tutor book coming next year - also coveering 3 row BCC#. Expressions of interest to me via mudcat personal message so yu willget more info when book ready.

thanks
bb

Subject: RE: Learning Accordion
From: buttonbox
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 12:49 PM