Archive for the ‘Accordion Lessons’ Category
How similar is a mandolin to a guitar?
I want to play a unique instrument.
I have done 7+ years of piano, but quit in 5th grade because we couldn’t find a teacher. I’ve had a few guitar lessons before, but basically that’s the only music experience I’ve had.
I don’t necessarily want it to be very similar to a guitar, I enjoyed the few lessons that I had but it wasn’t very exciting for me.
I like mandolins because they are unique, and small, and I’m pretty petite. (That’s why guitars were really frustrating for me.)
I think they sound beautiful, too. I’ve also considered the accordion, because those are also unique and can be very beautiful as well.
If the mandolin "speaks" to you, then you should definitely try one out. They’re great fun! They are tuned like a violin though, not like a guitar: E-A-D-G high to low; 8 strings where two and two are tuned in unison.
Like most other instruments, you can get a basic feel for it and learn the basic chord structures etc. fairly quick. But it does take lots of practice to master … again just like any other instrument.
Regarding your trouble with guitars. This may be due to you having the wrong kind of guitar, or a guitar not properly set up (adjusted) for your type of playing.
Take a guitar with a large box, long scale, heavy strings, wide and fat neck and high action, and you’re looking at an instrument that is hard to get a grip on (literally). Shorter scale, narrower and slimmer neck, lower action (strings closer to the fingerboard), lighter strings and a smaller box – and you have an instrument that is far more easy to play.
The scale is the length of the vibrating part of the strings, by the way – it’s the distance between the nut and the saddle. When the scale is shorter, the distance between the frets are shorter too. So yes, a mandolin (properly set up), should definitely be easier to handle (narrow neck, very short scale).
Oh, and yes, the accordion can be way cool too! Our keyboard player uses one from time to time in one of our bands.
Best of luck with your playing!
esa chiquilla juan villarreal master accordion
clases de acordeon www.acordeonpreciso.com accordion master classes to learn to play the accordion teacher accordion button accordion classes online
Duration : 0:8:42
Important decision about the future of my cat, please help!?
I will first give you a little background on my Russian Blue cat named Elwood so you can better assist me with this dilemma.
He is almost 9 years old (June 1st is his birthday, if you want to send him a present, he accepts cash, mice, and beef brisket if mailed with dry ice). He is all gray and is good friends with the neighbors cat Stalin. He enjoys porno, cheetos, high stakes gambling and is a general nuisance to my livlihood…but I love him.
In an effort to make him a well-rounded feline, about 4 years I bought him a guitar and he started taking lessons, which he took really well to and shortly after was performing in some local blues joints in the neighborhood to help support his drinking habit.
Here is the dilemma. In recent weeks, he has told me he is quitting guitar and wants to take up the accordion. The accordion???!!! WTF Elwood?? I mean, can I take this seriously? A cat can not play the accordion, right?? He keeps telling me it is to celebrate his Russian heritage, and to learn the instrument that his ancestors grew up on during harsh winters laying in rooms that were being heated by coal burning stoves, but I honestly think he is on drugs and has lost his mind.
Should I let Elwood play the accordion, or should I force him to stick with guitar?
Thanks in advance for your help, I really appreciate any advice!
Elwood finally discovered guitar strings are made of cat gut, eh?
And, I don’t mean to offend Elwood….but isn’t a Russian instrument a concertina, not an accordion?
Lawrence Welk played an accordion, I think. Well, if you live in an area with a large Polish population, he could be raking in the bucks. Dress him up in that furry hat and vest and give him long whiskers…oh wait, he’s already furry and has whiskers.
If you are wondering if he is on drugs….check out these folks. Perhaps this could give Elwood some inspiration. The tune I have selected for Elwood’s consideration is the theme from (a cool cat named) ‘Shaft.’ Fewer callouses on the paw pads, I would think.I
I have noted Elwood’s birthday in my Blackberry, and will be sure to down at least half a bottle of Stolie in his honor.
Dosvidanya!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfK-UzQ48JE&feature=related
Squeeze Me: The Jazz & Swing Accordian / Various
Due to its misuse in all types of schlocky settings, the accordion has been the butt of jokes for many decades. This fourCD set seeks to overcome the stereotypes and show that the accordion has long been a legitimate instrument in jazz. Although it is definitely an uphill battle, there are many rare and interesting recordings contained in this box. A variety of somewhat famous (Buster Moten, Joe Mooney, Art Van Damme and Mat Mathews) and completely forgotten accordionists from the 192954 period are featured in settings ranging from classic jazz bands (including Cornell Smelser’s guest appearances with Duke Ellington), and swing combos to bop dates. George Shearing is heard on four selections in which he switches from his customary piano. Many Europeans are also featured, making this a real collector’s item. Although the accordion would not come close to catching on big in jazz during the halfcentury that followed after this set’s most recent performance, it is intriguing hearing half of the history of jazz through these accordioncentric recordings. This is well worth investigating since even veteran collectors will not have had many of these mostlyswinging recordings.
- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
XL96 Big Breakfast – Accordion Lessons!
Ang from the XL96 Big Breakfast learns a lesson or two on about playing the accordion. Today’s Best Country, XL96.9
Duration : 0:5:18
Hava Nagila, Gypsy Accordion Lessons with Assi Rose .com
See how it goes and let me know if you have feedback or question
possible to buy A DVD with many more lessons
assirose@gmail.com
Duration : 0:7:32
Can everyone play by ear?
I play the accordion by ear. Mostly because I have to, never had any lessons so I can’t read music.
Don’t think it’s such a big deal but I was talking to my cousin and according to her, it is. So I was just wondering…
On the violin; If you give me 10 minutes I normally can. I rarely can straight away.
Button Box Accordion Lesson #7 by Shelia Lee – Accordion Waltz
This is a lesson on how to play the G/C/F button box accordion by Shelia Lee. This is #7 lesson on an instructional DVD. For sheet music & information goto http://www.heritageartsproductions.com The lessons consist of learning the right and left hand chords for back up playing and the playing of three songs with both hands.
Duration : 0:2:24
Do any of you Seniors play a musical instrument? I was wondering if we had a band, what would be in it?
I used to play the piano, organ, and accordion.
Did you ever take lessons or play by ear?
Know how to sing? Anybody musical?
I play by ear, read music and play tableture. I play a 5-string banjo, guitar, keyboards, fiddle, bass fiddle and a little accordion. I started fooling around on my brothers accordion. I self taught myself to play the key boards. I took about six months of guitar when I was 10. I didn’t want to play Camptown Races. I wanted to rock and play music like Jerry Lee and Elllllllvis. My best friend in middle school played great guitar. He showed me a lot of things and the rest I would spend hours listening to 45 rpm records to learn the riffs.
I would slow them down to 33 rpm to learn the notes. I would tune my guitar to match the record. Then after I learned the song like that I would re-tune to proper key. There isn’t any telling how many black diamond strings I broke by doing that. There was a drug store about a mile or so from my house that I could walk to that sold Black Diamond Strings.
Then about twenty five years ago I picked up a Bass Fiddle to help a friend out who played with a band. They lost their Bass player and it was around Derby time here and they had some small parties to play. I had played bass guitar along with the guitar. It isn’t hard to do if you know you frets on a guitar’s bass strings. That is also how I took up the banjo. I bought one about 45 years ago to play. It was a cheap Kay but I learned how to play. I had always wanted to learn to pick the 5-string but never stayed with it long enough to really learn. That changed when I started filling in on bass for the bluegrass band. All I could hear in my head was that driving banjo. They had a guy who had grown up on a banjo. He couldn’t do much else but his fingers knew that banjo! I took some lessons from Jim Smoke of the Cumberland’s. I also took a few lessons from Steve Cooley who at that time was picking with the Dillard’s of Andy Griffith fame. (It really wasn’t lessons. He would tab out songs and I would learn the rolls and the song.) The Dillard brothers had had a falling out and Steve played with them for over a year. I was able to transfer my knowledge of the guitar to the banjo. Once I made that connection my playing improved. It only took me about twelve years before I became proficient enough to go to a festival and be able to walk around and play with the different jams.
I had an accident in 2000. I am on lots of pain and nerve medications. It has ruined my timing. I can still play but the connection between my mind and fingers has fallen off. For the first five or six years I would practice and play the banjo five or six hours a day. I would take it to work and close my office at lunch and play. I would get up and practice in the morning before I went to work. I pretty much became obsessed with picking that banjo. I finally learned to play well enough to make the investment in a vintage Gibson Banjo. It is a 1932 model. I sure do miss going to festivals and playing music all through the night. When I was playing all the time I was going some where three or four nights a week to play music. Playing Bluegrass with a bunch of good folks is about as much fun as you can have. I also met a lot of nice people. I met Lou Reed one night at a festival. He wandered into our campsite. We played lots of songs but the one I remember the most was his rendition of Cry Cry Darling. He hit those high lonesome notes as he was singing and you could just hear his voice crack through the night air.
Part of the fun at bluegrass festivals you never know who will join in your jam. It might be someone like Lou Reed, or almost any of the big names. There are a few people that you won’t see out jamming but a lot of them remember their roots.
My band would have a 5-string banjo, dobro, rhythm guitar, fiddle, mandolin and a bass. NO electricity allowed. (LOL)
I bought myself a Fender Stratocaster and a nice Fender FM100H amp with 4-12" speakers. I had always wanted one so I bought it for my birthday. It was the last time I saw my friend Bill Sullivan who passed away. He told the salesman that I had been a friend and customer for many years and to give me the special price. My whole outfit (guitar, amp, strap, cords, box of 12 sets of strings, stand and a new electronic tuner for $1,300.
Bill had built First Quality Music up from a small operation in his garage and basement. He was a very fine man and made many contributions to the music scene around Louisville.
Thanks for asking!
Children Accordion Lessons: When the Saints Go Marching In
It this video lesson you will learn how to play When the Saints Go Marching In on the accordion. Please visit http://childrenlearningonline.net for more free music lessons.
Duration : 0:1:37