Popularity of accordions where you live

[dak]

Hi, I was wondering how popular accordions are where you live.

Hard to tell given the strict gun laws here.

I live in the south of England where , I would say accordions, aren't very popular. Guitars are!!

Guitars are popular everywhere.

I might be wrong, because there are hundreds of Morris dancer groups here in the UK, who mostly have one squeeze box player playing for them or Breton dancing bands who play traditional English and traditional french tunes, ceilidh - style events) to dance to. Music I don't really find inspiring to play , personally.
... prefer eastern European music, Sephardic and klezmer and classic french -style music.

In my experience, a lot of that folk music, at least when played with some attempt of "authenticity", uses smaller instruments like diatonics of various kinds. The Eastern European stuff uses chromatic instruments indeed.

I grew up in Bavaria where accordions are popular. I absolutely can't stand the music from there. (No offense pls, if that is your cup)
I would have never started playing if I'd be still living there for the lack of inspiration....that's what I am saying.

Thought they were more into diatonics, possibly Steirische there, at least for the kind of music you abhorr? The kind of "Volksmusik" popularized on TV (and with fairly impressive viewing rates) is not specifically rooted in Bavaria I think; it's more of a reimaging of Slovenian folk music I guess.

What style of music do you like playing on your accordion?

Pretty much what I get my hands on. Due to my instrument's range and free bass, a lot is not even intended for accordion.

But I need to pick up the instrument more these days.

 

[Sunshinexxx]

Hard to tell, given the strict gun laws in Germany

Hah hah ha

 

[Sunshinexxx]

Thought they were more into diatonics, possibly Steirische there, at least for the kind of music you abhorr? The kind of "Volksmusik" popularized on TV (and with fairly impressive viewing rates) is not specifically rooted in Bavaria I think; it's more of a reimaging of Slovenian folk music I guess.

I don't know tbh what steirische means. The Bavarian Volkmusik has rooted itself there, wherever it came from is interesting but it's a big part of the culture there like the Octoberfest which I've never even been to. But this is my own sterotypisches Denken/ thinking.

I didn't say I abhor the music btw. As far I can remember, I said and meant that the music, Bavarian Volkmusik, wouldn't have inspired me to learn the accordion. It wasn't any particular music anyway that made me buy an accordion. ...just the very interesting features of the accordion itself I suppose. I just jumped on the idea from one day to another.

Thanks your reply

 

[dak]

Hah hah ha

Well, you know the Germans. You never know whether your jokes have landed until the tithing basket returns.

 

[dak]

I don't know tbh what steirische means.

Oh.

 

[Sunshinexxx]

Well, you know the Germans. You never know whether your jokes have landed until the tithing basket returns.

I thought it was a very dry German humour

Oh.

Wow!! Absolutely amazing. My first thought was though *South tyrol when watching it. Süd Tirol is not Bavaria.the music is not bavarian volksmusik.* It's italy sued tirol. Beautifully played!!

 

[Dingo40]

What about this, then?

 

[dak]

Wow!! Absolutely amazing. My first thought was though *South tyrol when watching it. Süd Tirol is not Bavaria.the music is not bavarian volksmusik.* It's italy sued tirol. Beautifully played!!

Oh, I didn't want to insinuate Pixner is Bavarian, this was about the instrument. Of course a Steirische is supposed to be an Austrian invention ascribed to the Steiermark (in English Styria) rather that Tyrol though. Its use spread both North and South from that original location. Similar instruments actually are also known in Moravia, Bohemia and Slovenia though with different note distributions.

 

[Dingo40]

I don't know tbh what steirische means.

See here:

 

[dak]

What about this, then?

Well, sort of a washback from the Slovenian modern rehashes of folk music ("Oberkrainer"). The original Bavarian stuff tends to be a "Bloasn", a brass capella. Something like

that can really put the fear in you. It's kind of interesting that the more modern chromatic music variations washing over from Slovenia consistently use Morinos while the chromatic invasions from Switzerland tend to use Golas (Switzerland itself had a few traditional CBA "Handörgeli" and Schwyzerörgeli producers themselves but they have diminished). The more traditional Swiss diatonic instrument looks like this:

 

[dak]

See here:

Uh no? That is a comparatively standard Texmex diatonic that has been changed to have the note assignment of a Steirische in the right hand. Kind of calling a piano accordion a piano. Different sound, and the left hand basses are also different.

 

[Big Squeezy Accordions]

New Orleanian here. The sheer number of musicians here (in a city of under 400,000 people) is staggering, so there's bound to be a few accordionists. It's mainly a jazz and blues town, however. There's some Cajun music and zydeco, although those are more centered a couple hours drive to the west. There is a small, ever shifting scene of accordionists, of varying levels of proficiency. As oppose to horns, drums, guitar, bass, and piano, for which great players are a dime a dozen, I'd guess there are usually no more than 5 or so accordionists in town at one time playing at a professional level. And, of course, many more playing at a less-than-professional level. More than enough to keep me up to my ears in repairs.

 

[Vladimir M.]

Slovakia:

• Population: 5.4 million
• University/academies teaching the accordion: 3 (In towns: Bratislava, Banska Bystrica and Košice)
• Several high-quality conservatories
• Dozens of elementary music schools teach accordion and diatonic instruments
• The piano accordion still predominates, but the highest academies strongly push students into the button diskant, it's probably the fashion here. Diatonics is much less often taught, but there is plenty of printed material for self-teachers.
• In every village there is a folk folklore group where the accordion is played.
• Folklore festivals are numerous. Likewise, school accordion competitions.
• As far as brands are concerned, the Czech Delicia and the German Weltmeister significantly prevail. In the case of button instruments, educational academies understandably prefer Pigini, Borsini, Scandalli and Ballone Burini, sometimes Yupiter and Zonta. However, Italian instruments have not taken hold in common society, there is no "glorification" of them at all, as I read here on the forum in America. It is probably true that "No One Is A Prophet In Their Own Land" - we are only a few hundred kilometers away from the Italians.
• Interest in the accordion has a stable trend. Interest in diatonics has a growing trend.

As an accordionist, I am happy to live here.

Best regards, Vladimir

 

[brna]

What about this, then?

I really like playing this piece. Preferably while driving on the highway, as the song title suggests.

 

[Sunshinexxx]

Oh, I didn't want to insinuate Pixner is Bavarian, this was about the instrument. Of course a Steirische is supposed to be an Austrian invention ascribed to the Steiermark (in English Styria) rather that Tyrol though. Its use spread both North and South from that original location. Similar instruments actually are also known in Moravia, Bohemia and Slovenia though with different note distributions.

Thanks for sharing. I never saw this kind of squeeze box before.

I also conclude that most of us accordion players don't play because of where they are from or where we live. Many do for sure but.... It just might be something else/ other music that compels us.

 

[Giovanni]

In my neck of the woods the accordion is almost a religion...

In the wild Highlands, where the golden eagle soars, the piano accordion is king. Here, two clans—the mighty Macstalwarts and the feisty Mcfolkies—battle for musical dominance. The Macstalwarts, in their tartan glory, brandish their massive Hohner Morino Vs like warriors of old, while the Mcfolkies, ever the rivals, counter with their own squeezebox prowess. The Macstalwarts' rallying cry, "Grab your partner for a Gay Gordons!" echoes through the glens, as they gather at their sacred accordion and fiddle clubs, pausing only for the summer's garden tending. Bound by their love for the traditional reel and jig, they uphold the RSCDS creed with a fervour that could stir the Loch Ness Monster itself.

The Mcfolkies, an eccentric offshoot of the hip-folkster lineage, are recognised for their denim and t-shirt attire, often spruced up with a tweed cap or a suede waistcoat. They have a penchant for accordions, especially those that appear as though they've taken a plunge into a paint pot, although they've recently embraced the trend of wooden accordions. It's a little-known fact that they have a fondness for Castagnari and Saltarelle accordions, but more often than not, they're found playing the most budget-friendly Italian accordion available. Their accordions are tuned to a dryness that would make a camel gasp for water and the Sahara look positively moist. So compact and lightweight are these instruments, that anything beyond 3 voices or a 96 bass is deemed colossal. The Mcfolkies won't likely be the entertainers at your barn dance; they follow their own rhythm, accelerating or decelerating as they feel inclined. Rather, they're the mainstay in pubs, endlessly performing "The Bag of Plums," perfectly in sync with the strums of acoustic guitars and the picks of mandolins.

Amidst the wilds of the Highlands, the MacClassic clan stands separate from the others, their specialty? A French tune that'll have you thinking of 'Allo 'Allo! with a "Good moaning" rallying call. Their crowning glory? A high-octane take on Monte's Czardas, faster than a speeding ticket at 84 mph, all while channeling the elegance of a '86 Volvo estate. They've dodged the free bass accordion for the war-horse stradella bass, wringing out melodies like water from a kilt.

And the one thing uniting these Highland Clans? A resounding thumbs down to the CBA. ​

I once did a cabaret show and on the bill were two bagpipers all dressed in their finest Scottish kilts , and all the gear they marched around the room playing all the well known tunes a wonderful sound and great to watch ...................at the end of the evening they mingled with the Audience .
A little old lady went up to one of them and asked " is there anything worn under your Kilt" ........................the bagpiper replied .............OH NOOO WEE Lassie . Everything under the Kilt is in perfect condition !!!

 

[jozz]

Oh.

is that really the title of the tune?

 

[murathan]

The accordion is known as a nostalgic street instrument in Turkey. Not very popular but have powerful followers in people from east Black Sea region (Georgia border side) and immigrants from Balkan regions. Also people coming from Caucasia, Azerbaijan and Adige Republic (Cherkes people). They buy and use in a variety of their own ethnic music.

 

[dak]

is that really the title of the tune?

You'll find that a number of Pixner's compositions have titles with a similar flavor.

 

[Walker]

The accordion is known as a nostalgic street instrument in Turkey. Not very popular but have powerful followers in people from east Black Sea region (Georgia border side) and immigrants from Balkan regions. Also people coming from Caucasia, Azerbaijan and Adige Republic (Cherkes people). They buy and use in a variety of their own ethnic music.

Hats off to @murathan for unleashing those glittering nuggets of wisdom!

Behold a mesmerizing world of Caucasian accordion (a geographical area spanning Eastern Europe and Western Asia), the foot-stomping Circassian folk melodies (North Caucasia), and a whole lot more. Ace accordionists are flaunting their skills with a big dash of folk on the piano accordion. It's like a historical echo – just when we think we've discovered the new wave with flashy, neon-lit folk accordions or those hip, wooden boxes (a hat tip to the Mcfolkies Clan), it turns out we're just spinning the same old record - keep marching until you hit that sweet spot between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea!





Indeed, the tale takes a turn towards Scotland too... The Circassian Circle, a dance that's kept Scots twirling and whirling since 1822. And what's that sound? It's Colin Dewar's Band, serenading the dancers with tunes on their majestic Hohner Morinos. "Grab your partner, it's time for a Circassian Circle."



Thanks murathan, I've learned about a type of folklore music and dance I never even knew existed, but it has even inspired a Scottish dance.​