Learn accordion from the ground up... should I start this video series?

[JerryPH]

Well... for months now, I have been thinking and considering making a series of videos about the accordion, starting with the VERY VERY basic stuff like how to set up the straps, how to hold it, the basics of playing... *maybe* this might be the time to start it, in small steps. I'm not looking to make the quintessential how-to learn all styles on all accordions, but discuss topics that would interest and benefit people here in relatively short videos.

What do you guys think, is this something that would interest you at all?

If I did start this, would you be interested in this?

If, yes, besides the basics, what specifically would you like to see explained?

 

[Jose EB5AGV]

Here you have a complete newcomer to the instrument. Yes, I would love something like that!. I could beta-test whatever you produce

 

[JerryPH]

Here you have a complete newcomer to the instrument. Yes, I would love something like that!. I could beta-test whatever you produce

Thanks... and I should have mentioned it... I am NOT looking to make any money, it would be 100% free.

 

[JudyKimp]

I would be interested - always look to pick up a few tips. And adjusting straps - I would love to know how to check that I have them set up correctly.

 

[Chickers]

jerry:
I think it a great idea, and a worthwhile endeavor.
"Accordion Love" on Canada's other coast had a similar series going which I thought was pretty good, but it seemed
to me that his series became for "show & tell" format with few recommendations and / or resources.
Since the video format tends to be more one-way, I think you need to provide some guidance for those that need it.
Good luck on your project.
I'll keep- an eye open for it.
CHICKERS

 

[Ventura]

there is a famous anecdote about Casey Stengel, and him
being given the New York Mets to manage when they were
first formed

on the first day with the new team, on the field when they met
Casey for their first practice, he held up a baseball and said
"This is a baseball"

talk about starting with the basics, and assuming nothing !

good luck Jerry

 

[murathan]

I ve made it in Turkish (2015-2016). It is 3 long videos 15-30-30 minutes. First one is a starter lesson. Second is treble and bass explained. Third is how to study a song. There are many tutorial videos on YouTube but quality contents are always welcome.

 

[Tom]

I would watch them, looking to pick up any good tips.

 

[mtj]

I would watch them, looking to pick up any good tips.

Just what I was going to say.

 

[knobby]

Me too.... Particularly regarding the straps!

 

[Ffingers]

Well... for months now, I have been thinking and considering making a series of videos about the accordion, starting with the VERY VERY basic stuff like how to set up the straps, how to hold it, the basics of playing... *maybe* this might be the time to start it, in small steps. I'm not looking to make the quintessential how-to learn all styles on all accordions, but discuss topics that would interest and benefit people here in relatively short videos.

What do you guys think, is this something that would interest you at all?

If I did start this, would you be interested in this?

If, yes, besides the basics, what specifically would you like to see explained?

I suspect that there are very many would-be accordion players who are unable to access professional tuition who would benefit from your extensive knowledge and experience.
It is very kind of you to offer your time and effort in this way.
I would certainly take advantage of such presentations even though you are PA oriented.
One of the areas of difficulty for many of the beginners, and sometimes even more experienced players it seems, is effective bellows control.
Controlling the nuances of sound in delicacy and duration on each note seems to elude many of those who post on the likes of u-toob, whereas many of those who to my mind present better work often do not rely solely on arm movement, but use their whole bodies in getting the best from their instruments: This might appear to be 'showy' to some, but the ergonomics are indisputable.

 

[Pipemajor]

I think that would be a "YES" Jerry!

 

[Alan Sharkis]

Jerry, you’d get tons of encouragement from me. The series just might dispel any notion that you’re not a teacher, (go ahead, protest) but I think your previous videos have already done that.

It’s quite evident that you have the knack of breaking a task into small pieces and sequencing then correctly. But, realize that what you propose will take a lot of time and planning, and that life and a lack of sufficient positive feedback from others may cause you to lose interest before the series is finished. I hope that isn’t the case.

Good luck!

 

[losthobos]

Only one man I know fit for the job....
Be interesting to hear ideas about finger tip angles.....one famous french player suggests we're doing it wrong and should be flicking with fingernails rather than prints...(And he's world champ status)
And wrist angles etc
All interesting stuff...
Bring it on captain

 

[Thomas N]

I think it's a great idea. I enjoy all of your how-to videos. They are clear and nicely scripted and recorded.

Whenever I take up some new project (and my wife will tell you that there are MANY) I always try to watch a video on first steps. I think a video like this will allow people that are scared of the accordion to get a good handle on the basics and avoid early mistakes.

It can't help me unfortunately. I've been playing since I was 8 so close to 50 years now and I do everything wrong. I can't use chin switches because my accordion sits low on me. I use incorrect fingering most certainly. My phrasing is all over the place and I never play the same song twice in the same manner. It's a mess but it works. And I can't teach. Even if I could I'd have a bevy of students learning how to do it wrong LOL!

I'm like a golfer that does everything wrong but can still get par. I'll never be under par, but I don't mind!

 

[LibraryJoe]

I think it would be a great idea!

 

[JerryPH]

OK, seeing that we have a generally positive response, I am going to give it a shot.
My first challenge is defining goals and setting expectations. The course won’t be about me trying to teach everyone how to play, but will be a series of videos filled with tips, ideas and guidelines. Who knows, maybe one day I may want to tackle the “learn how to play accordion”, but for a start, let’s do tips.

My goal is to limit each video to something short… 10-15 minutes max, except for maybe the first video that takes time to introduce and set expectations.

Here is where I am going to ask you for your support, tell me what you would want to see in the series!

I’d like to get a good outline organized before I start so that there is some semblance of a logical progression. Remember this is the start, that is where my focus will be, but if you need info on a more advanced topic, add that to your list here and perhaps that would be added later on in the run of videos. The more you offer, the more I will be able to help more people!

 

[JudyKimp]

I think straps/holding the accordion seems to be a great interest to many (me included).
I would also like some tips on the bellows - the in and out so to speak. I am working from a position of weakness at this point, still recovering from injury (2 broken elbows), so I may not be able to achieve the ideal yet - but it would be good to know what to work towards on that. I am quite advanced musically skilled, as I changed and went on to play piano and pipe organ, but my instruction on accordion was ended by me when I was 11 years old. So, I basically studied from 8-11 years old. Technical tips specific to the accordion would be most helpful to me.

 

[Jose EB5AGV]

My full accordion playing so far is about 3 hours (I need to fix that!)... I would say that finding the right position to play has been so far my first problem. I have watched tons of videos on setting straps, sitting and such. But still could use some help. So that is one of the things I would like to see as a noob.

Perhaps talking on the ideal size of the accordion to begin with would be also interesting. It is easy to get carried away and buy a full size instrument (as I almost? did). And then find that, to learn, is perhaps too big and tiring.

Once you get your accordion and know how to sit or stand up to play it... Some basic info and guidance / exercises to manage "breathing" and to play basic things, first right hand, then left, then both. And some technical exercises guidance, to build a good foundation.

As an amateur pianist, I find the right hand relatively easy to deal with on accordion piano; maybe talking about different accordion types would be also cool. The left hand has little to do with the piano playing, so some detailed info, with an explanation of notes / chords distribution and why is that way could help also.

Sorry, nothing too fancy here, just my thoughts on what I would find useful some weeks ago, when I began my interest on this instrument, and now, already with an accordion, but still little practice on it.

 

[Ventura]

Guidemeister ?

well, my suggestion is more existential, in that i feel and was
shown by example that having a clue about how something
actually WORKS and that gives a clearer understanding of it
and the principles involved, actually helps us to play it
(or drive it, or wind it up, or re-build it etc.)

for example, how many second year accordionists actually realize there
are two reeds per note and that there are different things happening
besides "i pull for awhile" and then "i push for awhile"

and do they delight in realizing they are using the principle of
the Lever they learned in school every time they press a key ?

and if the air reverses, why can i still hear it (pretty much) the same
when the sound is headed toward the insides of the bellows
instead of out ?

how many 5th year accordionists understand how important the
reed-valves are to the pitch ?

how many realize that wax can melt and that might be important
to remember why ?

stuff like that

and will a pat your head and rub your tummy lesson help them understand
they have two hands that can do two entirely different things at the same time !

3 2 1 2 3 3 3 ,
2 2 2,
3 5 5,
3 2 1 2 3 3 3,
2 2 3 2 1

and yes Veronica, that way is UP for the notes even though you
are looking down and can see the tips of your shiny shoes