advice for beginning accordion

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: Peter T.
Date: 01 Dec 02 - 10:30 AM

breathe the accordion with the music just as you would sing -- the only rule is, don't "break back" the bellows (go in or out suddenly) in the middle of a phrase. (I have an expert friend who has just sold me his accordion upon leaving the country (not because of his accordion playing) and given me a lesson or two, and this was his advice). He also said that the tendency early on is to keep tight in as you are trying to get the fingering correct on the basses, going in and out with each change of chords: you need to consciously lengthen out the bellows through the chord changes.

I would also like some folk instruction -- or, dare I say it, musette music -- as everything my friend dumped on me is polkas and waltzes. Nice, but.....

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: brid widder
Date: 01 Dec 02 - 05:28 AM

I'm trying... I know very trying..., I'm trying to learn on a 48 (might as well be just 8) bass.....I realise playing the accordian well is hard... I find it easy mostly cos I'm crap!!

The main bit of advice I would give is to be careful if teachers make you hold it in the 'correct'position... I had one that did that... shortened all the straps and told me where my elbow should be etc... I ended up with tenosinovitis... very painful. I changed teacher, lengthened straps... made sure it was always comfortable ( I only play sitting down)and stop practice if it hurts!!! now I have no trouble... well not with the wrist anyway... but it still sounds pretty bad!!

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: Boab
Date: 01 Dec 02 - 04:33 AM

You want to have lessons, go ahead, and good luck Jeff. Me, I'd suggest not too much worry about what the instructors get you playing, just make sure you learn the "fingering". Get that, and a good accordion, and you will confound all your critics--all those with any ear for music at least. And playing the BELLOWS is just as essential as bass or keyboard. In a group session, or as part of a band, you may find that the bass provided either by either the guitars or a bass player gives you the option of playing keyboard only. This is practised by many group players. And a well played "single voice" melody can outshine fiddle or whistle, particularly on slow airs. As is the case with ANY instrument, playing it at its best doesn't mean trying to be the loudest on stage. Group music is, much more than any other shared art, a co-operative pastime.Forget that,and you might as well not try it!
Long-winded stuff from Boab---who never did learn the proper fingering---and now realises the gap in his talents----

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: selby
Date: 01 Dec 02 - 03:49 AM

to calm the volume down on the bass hand stick gaffer tape over the holes on the inside of the end plate.
Keith

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 11:58 PM

More fun, less technique, and more playing with others. Develop a feel for the SONG... let the technique come with time. Find people who want to play as loud as you play, and just GO for it, for now.

~Susan

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 11:52 PM

The acordian...more so...than the piano....and less so... than a pipe oragan...is a full breathing insturment...so VERY MUCH like the human voice.

Play is soft and hear the nuances...play it loud and hear the scream...unfortunately, like metal-music...loud is all any-one hears....

The reeds are beautiful, soft and deep....but I have promises, and miles to go before I sleep.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

>Don't give up the accordian..no matter what day-job they give your....mama.

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: Cluin
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 11:48 PM

You misunderstand me. I meant that Warren could have jammed the reeds with them.

Okay. No more. The guy asked a serious question and deserves some real advice from somebody who actually know something about the things.

Bye.

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: CarolC
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 11:39 PM

Don't feel too bad, Bud. You can always get Warren to remove them for you. I bet they'd make a really nice tiara ;-)

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: Cluin
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 11:33 PM

Yeah. What a waste of rhinestones.

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: CarolC
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 11:27 PM

I was looking for you, too, Mr Bud (Cluin) Abbot. Warren the accordion repair guy asked me to tell you that that custom rhinestone job you had him do on your big accordion (the red and gold glittery one) is finished and he'w waithing for you to go pick it up. I think he got your name wrong though. When I was in his showroom yesterday, I saw a big, glittery, red and gold piano accordion, with someone's name in rhinestones. At first I thought it said "Cluin", but when I looked more closely, I saw that it said "Clown". Bummer, eh?

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: DonMeixner
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 11:24 PM

NO! A well played accordion is played in a ............well.

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: Cluin
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 11:08 PM

Whay! See what happens?

Now I'm Bud Abbot.

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: khandu
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 11:04 PM

And a well-played accordion is one that is played far far away!

k

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: Cluin
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 11:03 PM

Definition of perfect pitch:

Tossing the accordion into the dumpster so it lands squarely on the bagpipes.


Okay. I'll stop now.

Actually I like a well-played accordion.

I'm really trying to avoid another punch line here. See? I can be good.

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: CarolC
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 10:57 PM

Ok then, khandu. See you at tap dancing class!

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: khandu
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 10:49 PM

I use that line on all newly-weds. That way they lose interest in me very quickly!

khandu

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: CarolC
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 10:45 PM

khandu, there you are! I waited and waited for you on the stage of the Lawrence Welk Memorial Accordion Ballroom here at the Polka Circus. You said you were going to teach me Lady of Spain!

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: khandu
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 10:35 PM

Jeff,

I would recommend a more honorable and musical instrument. How about the kazoo? It is far more respectable and sounds much better than the (ugh!) accordion! It is also easier to carry!

Of course, there is Carol the sailor to consider, but she has runnoft to the Polka Circus again. Maybe you can catch her there!

;-)   :-)   ;-P   ;-)

khandu

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: CarolC
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 10:34 PM

Hey Jeff. Despite the inevitable jokes that you can expect to get on this thread, this is a good place for you to ask your questions. There are several people around here who play the piano accordion, and some of them even know what they're doing.

I play the piano accordion myself, but from what you've posted, it looks like you know more about accordion playing than I do. I've been playing for about two and a half years, but I've never had any lessons. I still consider myself very much a beginner.

In what part of the world are you located? Hopefully in the US. We need more accordion players in this part of the world.

(P.S. I wouldn't worry about the ones who make fun of accordions. They can't help it if they're a little slow on the uptake and hopelessly uncool. Who knows? They may even catch on some day ;-)

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: DonMeixner
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 10:21 PM

Jeff,

Not everyone here has much appreciation for the accordion. But we do have a few who play. Carol C is one I believe. But you can save yourself a lot of abuse and agravation by taking up the Tiple instead.

:-)

Don

PS: Good luck, if the info is out there , here is where to find it.

Subject: RE: advice for beginning accordion
From: Cluin
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 09:48 PM

Play it under water.


sorry. ;)

Subject: advice for beginning accordion
From: GUEST,Jeff
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 09:40 PM

I have just started playing accordion, a 120 bass piano accordion. I have had some lessons on basic bass button accompaniement, basic right hand chording with some inversions, and basic right hand fingerings. I am in the 2nd Palmer-Hughes book and find the tunes a good challenge but not needing the basic music theory since I play guitar. I have received some instruction on technique but finding my mechanics to be a problem, especially with position of both arms, amount of right hand wrist bend, and correct movement of bellows including where to change direction with measures.

The instructors I have had for a few lessons are tremendous players but tend to ignore the mechanical aspects of playing. Any advice or good instructional videos to buy? I am also interested in any instructional material on more folky styles since most of my learning so far has been on traditional polkas and waltzes. I would like to find some good backing patterns for folky guitar music.

My last question is whether or not there is any effective way to decrease volume while still using reed blocks with more bass. I enjoy playing with friends on guitar but find I am drowning them out even when decreasing force on the bellows. Thanks for any assitance.

Jeff