buttonbox players in Florida?

Subject: buttonbox players in Florida?
From: diatonic novice
Date: 21 Feb 03 - 12:06 PM

I was wondering if there are any button accordion players here in west central Florida? Cajun, Irish, Quebecois, Breton... anything? I'm at "that" stage (getting my first NEW 2 1/2 row) and it's about time I tried to connect with some folks who really know what they're doing. I don't read music and I've never met anyone else who played a diatonic.

I followed the thread about the Bluegrass session that started in a St. Pete music shop (pretty cool) and it sounds like the nice group that plays Irish at a Bradenton Scottish pub every 3rd Sunday. I showed up with my 1-row C and, of course, couldn't join in on too many tunes (because of the key but also because of my novice playing). There's one piano accordion player (a whole different thing) but I've yet to meet anyone that plays diatonic around here.

Any ideas?

Lisa

Subject: RE: buttonbox players in Florida?
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 21 Feb 03 - 01:57 PM

Yup, you need a D box or a D/G box, or even a D/D# or even better still a C#/D box ... since they are more popular

Subject: RE: buttonbox players in Florida?
From: harpgirl
Date: 21 Feb 03 - 02:27 PM

...yes, you have a very good concertina player in your area by the name of Gail Keel.

Subject: RE: buttonbox players in Florida?
From: Abby Sale
Date: 21 Feb 03 - 02:51 PM

Denise knows all. Say hi for me.

Cajun-Zydeco Source newsletter : [e-mail]
        Info: Denise Irons, www.deniseirons.com

Subject: RE: buttonbox players in Florida?
From: GUEST,Gern
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 11:45 AM

Speaking as one of the St. Pete regulars, let me urge Diatonic Novice to join the group. The mass gathering usually assembles around 2PM on Saturdays, and is dominated by the usual bluegrass selections. I attend every other week and get there early (around noon), in hopes of gathering a smaller, more old-time collection more suited to my clawhamer style and song selection. I'll be there next Saturday.

Subject: RE: buttonbox players in Florida?
From: diatonic novice
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 07:57 PM

I think I met Gail Keel and she wasn't much interested in my buttonbox - but that's probably because the concertina is really not played in the same way.

Thanks, Gern, for the invite to the St. Pete bluegrass group. Maybe I will check that out some time. I have a banjo (long time since I played it) but I know pretty well what clawhammer sounds like. There's a similar rhythm that's easily played on the accordion - I had thought myself that it sounded a little old-timey before you even brought that up. It just might sound good although, aside from Cajun, I can't remember buttonbox played with string band. Maybe you have? Anyway, thanks for the interesting suggestion.

Subject: RE: buttonbox players in Florida?
From: GUEST,Gern
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 10:10 AM

No, I find no tradition combining clawhammer and diatonic accordion. We'll have to start our own. The rhythm (one-two-and, one-two-and) gallops in a manner compatible with accordion, and strikingly similar to French Canadian fiddle tunes. I'd like to learn it myself. check out the lineup at Cajun Cafe on the Bayou in Pinellas Park for live Cajun and Zydeco; a great place, with lots of buttonbox fans.

Subject: RE: buttonbox players in Florida?
From: diatonic novice
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 10:34 AM

I know this about the Cajun Cafe - I was even there this past Saturday for Rosie Ledet. But when I asked around, only one "regular" had a button accordion and she told me she couldn't find anyone to show her how to play Cajun. Apparently, the only sort-of-local guy wasn't very willing. I have to check out one idea for a couple players in Bradenton but I have a feeling they play piano.

Anyway, we'll see what comes of the banjo/accordion combo sometime.