Learning Accordion

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