Archive for February, 2010
How to Play the Accordion : How to Play Accordion Bass Notes
Learn the basics of playing accordion bass side notes in this free online video music lesson for beginners.
Expert: Brett Larsen
Contact: www.spencerthegardener.com
Bio: Brett Larsen earned a B.A. in music composition from UCSB in 1992 and currently works as a middle school music teacher.
Filmmaker: Loren Hillebrand
Duration : 0:3:15
Walter Ostanek Button Accordion
The diatonic button accordion has been a part of Walter Ostanek’s life since the age of 9 years.
Here Walter demonstrates the unique qualities of this instrument, and even plays a short polka.
Duration : 0:0:58
Cajun Music
First song is “Evangeline Special” from Iry LeJune and the second song is “Jambalaya” from Jo-El Sonnier
Duration : 0:5:17
Joy is a Cajun Accordion–The Music of Bruce Daigrepont
A profile of Cajun accordionist Bruce Daigrepont and the Cajun dance he started at Tipitina’s 22 years ago. Shot on location in Metairie and New Orleans during the Platypus Workshop, February 2008.
Duration : 0:5:32
How difficult is the accordion?
I am really interested in learning to play the accordion but I am a bit concerned about the difficulty level. I can read music and I can play two other instruments but I have always wanted to play the accordion. I do not know if it is the kind of instrument that you could teach yourself with the aid of instructional books or if it requires lessons. I do not know much about them and I was wondering if someone could tell me which kind was the best for a beginner. They are very expensive and I just do not want to make a mistake when I buy one. Any advice on the subject would be much appreciated.
Since you already can read music, you have a good start. You don’t say what other instruments you play, but one thing to keep in mind is that with the accordion, you are usually playing multiple lines of music at the same time, sort of like accompanying yourself. This can be a challenge to someone used to playing "single-note" instruments. You can teach yourself from a book or video, but of course a real teacher is always best, as with any instrument. It will still take a lot of practice to archive the coordination needed to do three things at once – playing both left and right hand independently and working the bellows to supply the air. Being able to use the bellows (air) effectively is probably the most challenging for beginners, but it is the key to all expression of the instrument.
As far as what kind of accordion to start with, it really depends on the music you want to play. For the most versatility, you should either go with a piano-accordion (piano type keys) or a chromatic button accordion (buttons on both sides). If you already have any piano experience, the piano-accordion would be easier. If you really want to play button accordion there are two types – chromatic and diatonic. Chromatics play all the note like a piano and play the same note whether you push in or pull on the bellows. Diatonics are always in a "key" and play a different note when you push or pull – like a harmonica. The are usually associated with specific "world" styles like cajun, irish, tex-mex and so on.
You are right to say that they can be very expensive. Professional concert piano-accordions are now in the 10K dollar reange. My suggestion is not to buy an import (China) beginners model but to look for an older (1950′s – 60′s) Italian made instrument. The quality in even student models back then is by far superior to today’s imports, and the prices are comparable. There are many available that are in great condition and they are easy to repair. Try to play a few instruments if you can before you buy so you can see and hear the differences. Every brand and model seem to have their good and bad points, and the only way you’ll know is by trying them.
This website may help answer any other questions
http://www.accordions.com/misc/info.shtml
Feel free to email me as well.
Good luck.
Can anyone suggest some geat Cajun, Zydeco or Bluegrass music for people to dance to?
Gospel Train – Larry Sparks
Steel guitar rag – Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys
Le Tortillage Aka Cajun Twist – The Cajun Trio
Laccassine Special – Balfa Brothers
Zydeco Groove – August, Lynn
I’m On My Way – Zydeco Force
I’m Coming Home – Brothers, Sam Five
Johnny Can’t Dance – Chenier, Clifton
Zydeco Hee Haw – Chavis, Boozoo
Jalapena Lena – Rockin’ Sidney
hope this helps
tierra de sol in d
Demo of Crucianelli Musette Piano Accordion with MIDI System
Take a look at my new toy, this beautiful Crucianelli 120-bass Italian Piano Accordion. As well the lovely traditional musette sound from the internal reeds in the usual way, the instrument now has a brand new MIDI system fitted, which through use of a Roland accordion expander enables hundreds of sounds to be synthesised in real time to add great variety to the music produced. One can also turn off the actual treble and/or bass reeds to have purely electronic sounds for melody, chords or bass, or naturally use as a traditional acoustic instrument with no electronics at all, so the possibilities are endless.
I’ve been playing with this setup for just over a week now, and thought it about time I make a demo video, along with a Christmas medley. Things didn’t quite go to plan however… enjoy!
P.S. Please check out my other accordion videos! Here’s one taken the day after this particular video while I was out street busking for the first time with this instrument…
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kT-gphWtB3c
Duration : 0:2:23
Cajun Music : Eddie LeJeune DL Menard & Ken Smith
Duralde Waltz: Cajun clip from the Shetland Sessions. Not the whole tune, as found on the CD though.(Retitled to give Ken Smith recognition, as I had previously neglected to do this.)
Duration : 0:2:22
Cajun – Nathan Abshire – Pine Grove Blues – Accordion
My rarest video of cajun accordionist Nathan Abshire. Here playing his famous Pine Grove Blues (Ma’ Negresse).Filmed at Fred’s Lounge in Mamou, Louisiana in 1976. Features a small ending clip of another song(Been told it is “Allons A Lafayette”). The interview is of famous radio announcer and cajun historian Revon Reed. He is also broadcasting in the scene. Very rare video, I hope you all enjoy it.
Duration : 0:7:26