Trying out with a new Morris side...

[Rosie C]

I'm off for a trial with a new Morris side tonight, taking my Guerrini 72-bass. My previous side didn't want an accordion in the band, but the new people have requested it particularly.

I was going to take my Hohner Concerto III - it's robust and has a microphone installation. But I just couldn't play it as well as my Guerrini - partly a slightly different keyboard spacing I think, but after a 4 month break from it I also found the bass very strong. If things work out I guess I'll be mic'ing the Guerrini but also practicing more with both instruments so I can swap easily between them.

 

[Tom]

That’s great Rosie, I hope it goes well. Good luck!

 

[Rosie C]

That’s great Rosie, I hope it goes well. Good luck!

Thanks Tom, it went well. The dancers are mostly under 30's and dance quickly, so my fingers were fair flying over the keyboard to keep up. The band leader plays a straight soprano saxophone with a hint of jazz. The music will be a fun challenge - both the speed, but also technically, there's some tunes with unusual keys, and interesting rhythms.

Anyway, we're in! Me on accordion and my partner on percussion. So the practice begins in earnest now. Since my last serious accordion playing I've been taking fiddle lessons from a lady who insists that I'll never learn to play from memory if I play from notes. She provides each week's tune as an MP3 for me to learn from and it does seem to work - the fiddle tunes I've learned have stuck in my brain. So I'm going to try the same for these accordion tunes.

 

[Tom]

Thanks Tom, it went well. The dancers are mostly under 30's and dance quickly, so my fingers were fair flying over the keyboard to keep up. The band leader plays a straight soprano saxophone with a hint of jazz. The music will be a fun challenge - both the speed, but also technically, there's some tunes with unusual keys, and interesting rhythms.

Anyway, we're in! Me on accordion and my partner on percussion. So the practice begins in earnest now. Since my last serious accordion playing I've been taking fiddle lessons from a lady who insists that I'll never learn to play from memory if I play from notes. She provides each week's tune as an MP3 for me to learn from and it does seem to work - the fiddle tunes I've learned have stuck in my brain. So I'm going to try the same for these accordion tunes.

Good to hear! I think your fiddle teacher has some sense in her method. Forcing oneself to “only” play by ear without the dots is probably really helpful. What sort of fiddle tunes are you playing? Back in the dark ages I played fiddle but only turned a few over to the accordion including St. Anne’s Reel and Kesh Jig. I’d like to do more. Even break out the fiddle again….. Good luck!!!

 

[Ventura]

so my fingers were fair flying over the keyboard

glad to hear you liked the scene.. and wasn't it nice to have
an Accordion that COULD keep up with them and your fingers !

hope you have a lot of fun with this bunch in 2025

 

[Rosie C]

glad to hear you liked the scene.. and wasn't it nice to have
an Accordion that COULD keep up with them and your fingers !

hope you have a lot of fun with this bunch in 2025

Thanks Ventura! and yes the difference between my two accordions was quite surprising.

 

[Rosie C]

Good to hear! I think your fiddle teacher has some sense in her method. Forcing oneself to “only” play by ear without the dots is probably really helpful. What sort of fiddle tunes are you playing? Back in the dark ages I played fiddle but only turned a few over to the accordion including St. Anne’s Reel and Kesh Jig. I’d like to do more. Even break out the fiddle again….. Good luck!!!

So far we've done...

• Theme Vannitaise
• The Doon
• Slockit Light
• Carpathian tune
• Out on the Ocean
• John Grumlie
• Miss McLeod
• Quaker's Wife
• Nancy Dawson
• Plane Tree

That's a mixture of 1:1 lessons in person, and group Zoom lessons.

 

[Tom]

So far we've done...

• Theme Vannitaise
• The Doon
• Slockit Light
• Carpathian tune
• Out on the Ocean
• John Grumlie
• Miss McLeod
• Quaker's Wife
• Nancy Dawson
• Plane Tree

That's a mixture of 1:1 lessons in person, and group Zoom lessons.

Wow! Thats great. I don’t recognize any of these. That just goes to show you. Here it’s I guess mostly American old time fiddle tunes plus Irish.

 

[JerryPH]

Sounds like you are having fun, and that is the most important thing!