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23 Sep 12 - 02:57 PM (#3409122) Subject: I'm learning melodeon From: John MacKenzie I bought one of SkipjackK8's Black Diamond melodeons at Whitby this year, and I'm having great fun learning to play it. I'm already a virtuoso at Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and now I'm learning Bobby Shaftoe :) I can pick out a lot of tunes on the right hand, but the difficult bit is learning to play with both hands. The base side is't easy to co-ordinate with the right, to start off with, but I'm getting there. I joined a melodeon web, and there's a guy does a whole series of YouTube lessons, and they're great. Daddylongles is his handle, and I wish to publicly thank him. The lessons are clear and concise. |
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23 Sep 12 - 06:03 PM (#3409174) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: Little Robyn Click here for lesson 1. Robyn |
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23 Sep 12 - 06:26 PM (#3409188) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: Stanron I'm not really interested in learning melodeon but I do like the way this guy formats his lesson. Play the tune first and do the talking later. I've seen lots of guitar teaching videos where there is an eternity of talking at the start and you have no idea if you want to learn the piece or not. I always think "Why don't they play the tune first?" This guy does. |
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23 Sep 12 - 07:04 PM (#3409200) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: Leadfingers Have Fun John |
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24 Sep 12 - 04:13 AM (#3409317) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: IanC Where are you, John? :-) |
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24 Sep 12 - 04:45 AM (#3409322) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: Will Fly Ah - you've gone over to the Dark Side... :-) |
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24 Sep 12 - 05:07 AM (#3409325) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: Ann N George Garside's beginners melodeon workshops are worth going to, he's great at explaining how to get started and gives lots of useful tips. The workshop he ran at Whitby this year taught me more in 4 mornings than I'd learnt in nearly a year trying on my own. Ebay have his DG melodeon tutor book for sale and there's no need to be able to read music to use it :) |
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24 Sep 12 - 06:15 AM (#3409339) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: John MacKenzie @ IanC. I'm way up in the Scottish highlands. Deep in accordion (Spit) country ;) You know; those cissy instruments that play the same note in both directions! ;)) |
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24 Sep 12 - 07:46 AM (#3409365) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: The Sandman well john, you will discover very soon, that on the dg box you have five[i think] notes,in two different directions, so you can have a choice of phrasing. I recommend mallys book.You can also use decorations that use the same row, for example cutting a note[playing a grace note with button above or below or both. both equals button abov, note. button below, note, going the same direction. this may be a bit advanced at the moment but hopefully may be useful later |
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24 Sep 12 - 10:13 AM (#3409409) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: Mitch the Bass "...on the dg box you have five[i think] notes,in two different directions..." You can get A, B, F# and G in both directions. D only on push. E, C and C# only on pull. MTB |
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24 Sep 12 - 01:12 PM (#3409471) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: pavane You probably don't want to know that my program HARMONY does melodeon tablature for any abc format tunes. It can show you alternative ways of playing the same tune, crossing the rows to get a smoother result. It also marks the notes that you cannot play! It comes with a couple of different DG layouts |
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24 Sep 12 - 01:17 PM (#3409476) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: Skipjack K8 Like all successful pushers, I'm not actually a consumer of the vice I supply :). I'm an accordionist, after all, the bright side, the true path etc,etc. But I was delighted when John fell in love with our D/G melodeon at Whitby. He was a great help to Bill Sables, who ran our Black Diamond Accordion stall for the week. Bill had George Garside call by, who gave the BDA D/G melodeon a good notice, and I have since had a long and very interesting conversation with George, and his idea of dumping the accidentals and going for a fourth button start has got us thinking. Anyroadup, glad to hear you're wrestling with the box successfully, John, and getting both sides going. All best Greg |
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25 Sep 12 - 11:46 AM (#3409963) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: GUEST,BOB looks like you've got too much time on yer hands, do something useful in your life instead of messing about wi a musical instrument you can't play !! |
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25 Sep 12 - 04:22 PM (#3410081) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: pavane My Hohner Erica never had the accidentals. And it's red - most of the G/D ones are black, red was usually for B/C. Once you have got both sides going, you can move on the next level where you only use one side! (But you make your own chords - my program shows you where they all are). |
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25 Sep 12 - 04:36 PM (#3410092) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: Lester Ericas in red are not usually B/C depends a bit on the market they were aimed at for example there are very many Red Ericas in Germany etc that are in C/F and Red D/Gs are far from uncommon. |
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26 Sep 12 - 09:39 AM (#3410418) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: GUEST,BOB BOLLOCKS |
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26 Sep 12 - 09:41 AM (#3410421) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: GUEST,BOB WHOOPS MEANT TWADDLE |
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26 Sep 12 - 03:46 PM (#3410599) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: pavane OK, but I have never seen a red Erica D/G myself. (PS Don't know who or what Bob was shouting at! Perhaps some mud elf will remove these meaningless postings. And as far as I know, every musician started by messing about with an instrument he/she couldn't play. That's what learning is about) |
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26 Sep 12 - 04:33 PM (#3410614) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: Lester Pavane - here you go then me with my old Red D/G Erica |
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27 Sep 12 - 04:27 AM (#3410784) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: GUEST,Henry Piper From what I remember at one time almost all Erica's and most other Hohners were Red. The Black ones seem to have appeared about the time everyone was getting excited about Kirkpatricks posh black Italian button Accordeon and I may be an old melodeon playing cynic, but I wonder if there wasn't some attempt to cash in on the Kudos of owning what at first glance looked like a similar instrument. |
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27 Sep 12 - 05:20 AM (#3410797) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: Howard Jones As I recall, Roger Watson persuaded Hohner that the red mother-of-lavatory-seat finish was unattractive to British players and they'd have more success with the black ones - which proved to be the case. I'm not sure it had anything to do with John K, just that no one liked the look of the red ones (Lester excepted :)) |
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27 Sep 12 - 10:20 AM (#3410881) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: GUEST,BOB yes Pavane you are right |
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27 Sep 12 - 10:57 AM (#3410897) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: John MacKenzie The George Garside tutor arrived today. More fun in store. |
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27 Sep 12 - 12:48 PM (#3410952) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: treewind "Roger Watson persuaded Hohner that the red mother-of-lavatory-seat finish was unattractive to British players and they'd have more success with the black ones" From what I've heard, it might have been John Adams. Even more likely, the two of them working on Hohner together. Others are now trying to persuade Hohner that 4th button start should be standard for D/G melodeons, preferably with low notes chosen so you get a whole scale down to G below middle C and thus match the range of a fiddle. (and that is possible, even with accidentals on the end buttons) |
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28 Sep 12 - 11:38 AM (#3411391) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: GUEST,Ebor_Fiddler Or better still - ditch the b++++++s! Very few box players ever use acidnettles apart from the natural genii. @ John - have you joined us on Melnet yet? If not, I thoroughly recommend you go to http://forum.melodeon.net/index.php?action=forum . Love and Fishes, Chris. |
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28 Sep 12 - 11:57 AM (#3411399) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: GUEST here's a 'blue clicky' to get to Melnet Melodeon.net ..... @ John, have you followed George's instructions and stopped for a cuppa yet? :) |
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28 Sep 12 - 12:10 PM (#3411404) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: Ann N whoops ... the above 'Guest' was me with an expired cookie :) |
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28 Sep 12 - 01:10 PM (#3411429) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: John MacKenzie Yes I have joined Melnet. That's where I found the link to the YouTube video lessons. I'm still on Bobby Shafto :) have only glanced at george's book so far, as I don't want to confuse myself. Once I have mastered what I'm learning now. Ah'll gie it a guid swatch! |
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28 Nov 12 - 03:20 PM (#3443855) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: John MacKenzie Well I'm still enjoying the new beastie. I have almost got to the stage of being able to sing and play at the same time, so I feel quite proud of myself. It's only been two months. Let's hope that my pride goeth not, before a fall ;) |
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28 Nov 12 - 06:56 PM (#3443975) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: GUEST Well done John. Keep at it - sook and blaw as they say up here! Being able to sing AND play at the same time takes a hell of a lot of brain connections! I play BC ("doesn't look that old" someone said)and was told "left hand comes MUCH later -if ever", but as it's fully chromatic, I can (in theory!) play in any key - getting better at B flat! |
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28 Nov 12 - 07:31 PM (#3444004) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: Tattie Bogle Ah, 'twas me sans cookie! |
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28 Nov 12 - 09:12 PM (#3444067) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: Leadfingers I must get an MP3 of 'Touch of The Cock Up Man's Hand' for you John- Melodiaon at Auction song !! |
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29 Nov 12 - 03:51 AM (#3444159) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: GUEST,FloraG The great thing about learning from a book is they pick tunes for you that are easy to play on the instrument. However, once you get past the basics you need to decide which style you really like, and what you want to use the instrument for. We did a ' carols and folk song' night recently and I put in a morris set to remind people of summer, and I was pleased to see most of the audience had smiles on thier faces and were tapping thier feet. I like to use the box when leading the band in dance sets for dancing, or to accompany song in a noisey pub where my other acoustic intruments would not be heard. I'm not a great fan of massed melodeon, except in a workshop or outside for the morris, and I remember it took me a while to learn the technique of playing quietly so not to drown out the flutes and whistles. Enjoy it all FloraG |
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29 Nov 12 - 04:51 AM (#3444172) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: John MacKenzie Actually Flora, whether it's a good thing or not I don't know, but I jettisoned the book, after I'd learned a couple of tunes, and started learning other tunes. I have about a dozen I can get through OK, and about 3 I know really well. The only Morris associated tune I am working on, is The Nutting Girl, which I prefer as a song. I still used the book to learn techniques etc. |
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29 Nov 12 - 05:42 AM (#3444187) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: banjoman Get yourself a decent banjo - at least you can use that as a paddle when y0u're up the creek (musically) Seriously -theres a lot of good advice here so keep squeezing |
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29 Nov 12 - 06:54 AM (#3444227) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: GUEST,Alan Morley If there is anyone needing lessons in my area (Ilkeston, Derbyshire) please get in touch with me via the UK Folk Music email addy: admin@ukfolkmusic.co.uk Here's me on You Tube: Alan Morley - You Tube Alan |
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29 Nov 12 - 05:38 PM (#3444533) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: pavane You can see and hear my red Erice here I didn't play the tune very well, I am afraid. |
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29 Nov 12 - 05:39 PM (#3444534) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: pavane Erica that should be. |
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30 Nov 12 - 04:29 AM (#3444706) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: GUEST,FloraG Do you plan to accompany yourself singing? If so, are you better on the D or g range? You can learn a tune in one key and then play it on the other as well. Then you can do a verse or 2 just playing chords. I start nutting girl as a tune in G and then play a simpler version in D for the song. Enjoy FloraG. |
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30 Nov 12 - 05:01 AM (#3444712) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: John MacKenzie Yes, mainly for singing, with the odd tune thrown in. I live in the Scottish highlands where there's no shortage of accordionists playing tunes. The competition is a bit fierce ;) |
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30 Nov 12 - 06:09 AM (#3444724) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: GUEST,FloraG Lucky you. There seems to be more playing in the Highlands than singing. Is this a correct impression? FloraG |
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30 Nov 12 - 06:28 AM (#3444732) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: John MacKenzie Yes Flora. Tunes in sets, with accordion, fiddle, guitar, and sometimes drum accompaniment. I like accordion fiddle and piano, as per Phil Cunningham, Aly Bain, and Violet Tulloch. Unfortunately we won't hear them play together live, again. With the added bonus of the late great Peerie Willie Johnstone Enjoy. |
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30 Nov 12 - 11:04 AM (#3444831) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: GUEST,FloraG Last year we did the Shetland festival and then drove along your top road to go to the western Isles. Perfect weather - what a fab journey. FloraG |
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30 Nov 12 - 05:21 PM (#3445027) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: Tradsinger Good luck with learning the melodeon. It's a more flexible instrument than many give it credit for. You've got lots of good advice in this thread and I'd like to add another one: learn about music, i.e. learn how the notes in the scales relate to each other; learn what notes make what chords and try them out on the right hand; learn the 'syntax' of how scales and chords fit together. You won't regret it and it won't harm your folk credentials. All the top players these days have a good background in music theory. Also on the left hand, try 3 finger playing, with counter-basses, and learn about cross fingering to get chords like Am7, Bm7 or C9. This may sound like Martian at this stage, but in the long run will make your playing more interesting, especially on the slower tunes. Oh, and if you have a G/D box, which I suppose you have, try to find tunes that you can play in A (Cock of the North for example, but all the notes are pulls!). Tradsinger |
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01 Dec 12 - 02:16 AM (#3445216) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: Manitas_at_home On that last bit of advice, Athol Highlanders is really easy to do in A and you don't need a G#. It really pisses off other melodeon players who've learnt it in G! |
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01 Dec 12 - 11:06 AM (#3445265) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: Lester I now have a new (old) Red Erica a reasonably rare Made in Switzerland one, known as Swiss Tony to its friends :) |
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01 Dec 12 - 11:06 AM (#3445266) Subject: RE: I'm learning melodeon From: Lester In D/G I meant to say |