-
-
We're having a little contest, running until the end of March. Please feel free to enter - see the thread in the "I Did That" section of the forum. Don't be shy, have a go!
Whose music do you play?
- Thread starter Tom
- Start date
That would be awesome, thank you!!!!!
Thomas N
Well-known member
I play the songs written by others. But I never play them as written. I improvise over them and change them all the time. I don't think I've ever played the same piece the same exact way twice and I probably never will.
It's one reason why I've shied away from all the accordion classics (Jolly Caballero, Dizzy Fingers, etc.) that surely should be played as written. I'm not a jazz player by any means, but I use a lot of my own "jazzy" chords and runs in every song.
I've always felt like you can start with A-minor and pretty much come up with any old Italian song, Tarantella or polka from there - and I've done it. Just rhythmic notes and runs in A-minor, D-minor and E-major and 99% of the listeners have no idea it's just - gibberish. LOL!
It's one reason why I've shied away from all the accordion classics (Jolly Caballero, Dizzy Fingers, etc.) that surely should be played as written. I'm not a jazz player by any means, but I use a lot of my own "jazzy" chords and runs in every song.
I've always felt like you can start with A-minor and pretty much come up with any old Italian song, Tarantella or polka from there - and I've done it. Just rhythmic notes and runs in A-minor, D-minor and E-major and 99% of the listeners have no idea it's just - gibberish. LOL!
Ventura
Been here for ages!
since i borrowed "C' 'na luna mezz'u mare" in another thread,
it reminded me of this thread, and another grey area
between playing my songs his songs, which is something
shared among more than myself and our friend in Italy, that
we "capture" some song from another language/culture
and re-work it into something we can use.. not to steal some
cool melody but more the literal translation just doesn't work..
or the other reason.. just for fun as Louis Prima would often do
so i want to release my lyrics for the Fisherman's song.. i am old
and there is no need keeping these things for myself any longer..
this is a really easy 'tella to play and learn if you are Italian at all
or even just in spirit, and easily the fingers go on autopilot so
singing it is as easy as breathing.. the song was inspired by an
old world Polish Neighbor/friend i once had in Baltimore.. he grew SO
much stuff in his backyard and worked mightily most of
the Summer giving it all away
C' 'na luna mezz'u mare Mama Mia look at the Garden !
Zuccini by the ton.. yesterday we had just one !
qui la va qui la ve What can i say ?
i've never seen so many
Mamma whattawegonnado ???
there's-a-too-much for me and you
Oh Papa, lets give them all away
Que Mamma. it's gonna take all day !
quick PaPa, pick-a-pick-a fill the truck
fresh Zuccini by the ton
our Garden has been overrun
Sweet Zuccini good to taste
can't let it go to waste
Que Mamma look over there
a red Convertible with the roof down
put some Zuccini on the back seat
arrange it nice and neat
hey there's a UPS-a-truck
the door is open We're in Luck !
one more box he'll never see
there's-a-too-much for you and me
Oh Papa, lets give them all away
Que Mamma. it's gonna take all day !
quick PaPa, pick-a-pick-a fill the truck
fresh Zuccini by the ton
our Garden has been overrun
Sweet Zuccini good to taste
can't let it go to waste
copyright 1980 VHM Co.
released into the public domain 2/4/2025
add your own extra verse if you feel inspired..
hoping Tom gets to sing this at his Summer Gig this year
it reminded me of this thread, and another grey area
between playing my songs his songs, which is something
shared among more than myself and our friend in Italy, that
we "capture" some song from another language/culture
and re-work it into something we can use.. not to steal some
cool melody but more the literal translation just doesn't work..
or the other reason.. just for fun as Louis Prima would often do
so i want to release my lyrics for the Fisherman's song.. i am old
and there is no need keeping these things for myself any longer..
this is a really easy 'tella to play and learn if you are Italian at all
or even just in spirit, and easily the fingers go on autopilot so
singing it is as easy as breathing.. the song was inspired by an
old world Polish Neighbor/friend i once had in Baltimore.. he grew SO
much stuff in his backyard and worked mightily most of
the Summer giving it all away
C' 'na luna mezz'u mare Mama Mia look at the Garden !
Zuccini by the ton.. yesterday we had just one !
qui la va qui la ve What can i say ?
i've never seen so many
Mamma whattawegonnado ???
there's-a-too-much for me and you
Oh Papa, lets give them all away
Que Mamma. it's gonna take all day !
quick PaPa, pick-a-pick-a fill the truck
fresh Zuccini by the ton
our Garden has been overrun
Sweet Zuccini good to taste
can't let it go to waste
Que Mamma look over there
a red Convertible with the roof down
put some Zuccini on the back seat
arrange it nice and neat
hey there's a UPS-a-truck
the door is open We're in Luck !
one more box he'll never see
there's-a-too-much for you and me
Oh Papa, lets give them all away
Que Mamma. it's gonna take all day !
quick PaPa, pick-a-pick-a fill the truck
fresh Zuccini by the ton
our Garden has been overrun
Sweet Zuccini good to taste
can't let it go to waste
copyright 1980 VHM Co.
released into the public domain 2/4/2025
add your own extra verse if you feel inspired..
hoping Tom gets to sing this at his Summer Gig this year
Ok, now I gotta try! Thanks so much for posting these lyrics Ventura…. Of course I am very familiar with this song and I know I’ve downloaded some sheet music but I never got around to figuring it out or arranging it. I’ve played it half a**ed by ear but I gotta concentrate.
Yesterday I was playing from sheet music of Reginella Campagnola, another in the same vein, deciding how I want to arrange it. I’m a gonna do Mezzo Mare next, nessun problema, don’tcha know. My daughter, she no marry the butcher’s boy, no, the accountant, he got a the pencil in his hand. Oh I miss my mamma’s baccalà with the spaghettini, prezzemolo, aglio e olio. Oh my my piscu frittu. (With apologies to Ric46 and all his friends.)
Ventura
Been here for ages!
for songs like that, and another is Who stole the Kishka,
all you really need is the left hand part to sing over
and what, the song is 2 chords maybe 3.. all about the
zooma zoom
so right hand is popping a chord between the beat maybe
and between sections you sing, right hand hits the "hook"
all you really need is the left hand part to sing over
and what, the song is 2 chords maybe 3.. all about the
zooma zoom
so right hand is popping a chord between the beat maybe
and between sections you sing, right hand hits the "hook"
Siegmund
Well-known member
I compose a fair bit, but I am yet to ever perform anything I've written for accordion (and the last time I played the violin part of any of my string chamber music I was in my early 20s.) Most of it either requires ensembles I don't have available in my small town, or is a bit beyond my ability as a player.
That may yet change - just hasn't yet.
I have attempted a few of my own arrangements, which usually ARE intended for my own use, though again I tend to arrange for the player I want to be rather than the player I already am.
It is an excellent exercise. If I have gotten out of the composing-daily habit, to get back into it, I make myself write down 8-16 bars every night. Usually within a week I get one 8-bar theme worth saving for future development and within a month I feel inspired to start a big project.
That may yet change - just hasn't yet.
I have attempted a few of my own arrangements, which usually ARE intended for my own use, though again I tend to arrange for the player I want to be rather than the player I already am.
It is an excellent exercise. If I have gotten out of the composing-daily habit, to get back into it, I make myself write down 8-16 bars every night. Usually within a week I get one 8-bar theme worth saving for future development and within a month I feel inspired to start a big project.
Walker
🪗
Sure, I really like to write music, but I also have a great appreciation of many composers work, like the fiddle music of James Scott Skinner, much of which is super when played on traditional accordion with thoughtful stradella bass accompaniment.
However, I'd also give a double thumbs-up to the keyboard music of Henry Purcell, especially pieces from the second part of 'Musick's Hand-Maid'. I find Purcell's keyboard pieces to be just excellent on the free-bass system that I play; piano accordion with system of fifths or 'Quint' free-bass. I'm working on several of his pieces right now, and though Purcell isn't heard on accordion much, I love this music. I get inspiration from hearing fine musicians playing on any instrument, so don't focus much on the rare accordion versions. One of my favourite pieces is called 'A New Ground'. I think some of Purcell's music is amongst the best ever written:
Here's the piece I'm working on just now - I'm mega-impressed by this harpsichordist's performance:
I hope you enjoy listening to 'A New Ground'
However, I'd also give a double thumbs-up to the keyboard music of Henry Purcell, especially pieces from the second part of 'Musick's Hand-Maid'. I find Purcell's keyboard pieces to be just excellent on the free-bass system that I play; piano accordion with system of fifths or 'Quint' free-bass. I'm working on several of his pieces right now, and though Purcell isn't heard on accordion much, I love this music. I get inspiration from hearing fine musicians playing on any instrument, so don't focus much on the rare accordion versions. One of my favourite pieces is called 'A New Ground'. I think some of Purcell's music is amongst the best ever written:
Here's the piece I'm working on just now - I'm mega-impressed by this harpsichordist's performance:
I hope you enjoy listening to 'A New Ground'
Last edited:
