Learning Accordion

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: gnu
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 05:12 PM

New Brunswick, CAN.

Thanks for your time and interest.

gnu

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: 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 !!!