Accompanying Carol Singers

[geoff45789]

A couple of days ago I accompanied 17th reigate Scout group singing carols at Reigate Station - only with one carol as I can only reliably play one - See Amid the Winter Snow. I wondered if any others have been doing similar. What carols are your favourite or work best for accordion? I've also been learning 'In the bleak mid-winter', 'God rest ye merry gentlemen' and 'It came upon the midnight clear'

 

[BobM]

I've been working from the same list (of 16) each year, some like Wassail and Silent Night fall under the fingers, whereas Ding Dong Merrily on High not so much, yet, but most traditional carols seem to work in theory.
Some, like In the Bleak Mid Winter, are good for LH development, so payback throughout the year.

BobM.

 

[Glenn]

In the bleak mid winter is an excellent carol to practice your melody (free) bass. I agree that ding dong merrily is a swine for the left hand if you play it at speed. I'm trying some jazz accordion carol arrangements but I fear I will not master them before easter.

 

[rbs]

As it happens, I've been out about 4 times this year accompanying carol singers. One of them was out-of-doors on a cheap Chinese accordion. It only had 48 basses so I had to ensure that I mainly played in flat keys so that I had enough chord buttons. It was OK until my fingers went numb.
As a lad I did a lot of carol singing, which has proved to be beneficial as I know what the harmonies should be. I found that the most difficult one was "God rest ye, merry gentlemen" as the chords bounce around all over the place. I played it in Dminor.

 

[BobM]

I agree that ding dong merrily is a swine for the left hand if you play it at speed.

And not forgetting the right hand as well..

BobM.

 

[geoff45789]

I found that the most difficult one was God rest ye, merry gentlemen as the chords bounce around all over the place. I played it in Dminor.

Ive also been playing this in D minor but the chords dont seem too bad although they do change every bar. Ive been using Dm, Am, Dm, Am, Dm, Am, Dm, Am, Gm, Dm, Gm, C, F, C, G, C, F, C, Dm. Are you using the same?

 

[rbs]

Hello geoff45789,
I chord "God rest ye , merry gentleman" as follows:-
Dm A7 Dm C Bb Bb F A7
Dm A7 Dm C Bb Bb F F
Gm C F C/e Dm Dm C7 C7
F Gm A7 A7 Dm Dm C7 C7
F Gm A7 A7 Dm Gm Dm

..but harmonising is a very personal thing!

 

[BarryG]

Hi,
I am playing carols in a cafe at lunchtime (from 12noon) on Christmas Eve. I play in a weekly accordion club but this is the first time I have played on my own in public, I have been practicing for months, I use the E-Z format music which may not appear very professional but is very easy to read with an accordion. I also have a carol singing background which does help. It is just the nerve thing that I need to get over and hope that the carols are appreciated by the diners! I have played guitar for 35 years and I fall in to the habit of playing the chords I know and ignoring the difficult ones. It could be a cold night before they ask me back, but that would give me another 12 months to practice.
BarryG

 

[Glenn]

Good luck Barry. Let us know how you get on.

 

[acordiansam]

I think the accordion is great for back up. With 10 or more people singing other insterment get burried. I like grandma got ran over by a raindeer. Nothing like a christmas song to break out every cord in the book. Merry Christmas to all.

 

[geoff45789]

Hello geoff45789,
I chord God rest ye , merry gentleman as follows:-
Dm A7 Dm C Bb Bb F A7
Dm A7 Dm C Bb Bb F F
Gm C F C/e Dm Dm C7 C7
F Gm A7 A7 Dm Dm C7 C7
F Gm A7 A7 Dm Gm Dm

..but harmonising is a very personal thing!

I see what you mean. Ive ben using a simpler but possibly less harmonious version. Maybe next year...

 

[donn]

Hello geoff45789,
I chord God rest ye , merry gentleman as follows:-
Dm A7 Dm C Bb Bb F A7
Dm A7 Dm C Bb Bb F F
Gm C F C/e Dm Dm C7 C7
F Gm A7 A7 Dm Dm C7 C7
F Gm A7 A7 Dm Gm Dm

..but harmonising is a very personal thing!

Nice, I see someone shares my enthusiasm for chords that form a descending or ascending bass line. I think though, maybe its a variation from the North American tradition, but I might stay on F at the beginning of the last two lines, until the A7 comes up. It isnt like I immerse myself in Christmas carols, though - generally cant abide them, but this one is not so bad.

 

[sjr2]

[...] I use the E-Z format music [...]

Ok, I have to ask... Whats E-Z music format? Anything like ABC?

 

[BarryG]

Steve,
E-Z music Play Today is a large format series published by Hal Leonard, the actual title of the one I am using is The Best of Christmas Songs Ever, 78 songs, the format is childlike with the name of the letter of the note in the note. I was due for a cataract operation with no vision in my right eye and problems with my left, when I was asked to play the carols, I play by music, and was very concerned that I would not be able to continue playing, fortunately my eyesight is now brilliant with glasses but I am so pleased that I found E-Z play.
My background is 35 years of my 70 playing Church music, playing guitar using music. Amazon stock a huge range, have a look.
BarryG

 

[BarryG]

Glen,
Thank you your encouragement, the carols went very well, I played for 2 hours, the diners seemed to be appreciative, with a constant change of people having meals I was able to repeat my selection, it had been advertised, which I was not aware of fortunately and some people stayed just to listen. I was very nervous at first but after about 2 carols relaxed and found the whole thing very enjoyable.
The prove in the pudding will be if I am asked back, but I do not think my wife appreciates my absence on a Christmas Eve.
Barry

 

[kphunter]

I've played for carols at our local day centre for people with learning disabilities. It was lovely to see what fun the clients were having. I asked for requests, someone said Lady Gaga. So I improvised a bit of Bad Romance, great fun.

kph

 

[smdc66]

in a cafe at lunchtime

what was the volume like - is it a small cafe

i played in a restaurant with a friend - smallish in size - i think it was a bit loud - this timeish last year
but not necessarily xmas orientated

i thought this when i sat down like a customer and my experienced friend was busking round

when he was by me - his bass end was near my ears - seemed loud / borderline uncomfortable and think would be difficult to have a conversation at same time

this has made me slightly nervous of restaurant playing and/or with an other

 

[smdc66]

group singing carols . What carols are your favourite or work best for accordion?

this may be a more general question that is best placed elsehwere but is relevant i think to this thread also

what skill set do you need to play with singers and how should you adjust

i mean if you play a tune - a carol or whatever - what if the singers are at a different tempo ?

how do you meet somewhere in the middle or ensure this doesnt happen

what adjustments or experience/skill do you need
to pull this off well

 

[Glenn]

Playing in any group requires good listening skills. If you are basically accompanying singers you set the tone but have to follow their pace. If things go well they in turn are listening to you so the sum of the whole should be a stable tempo. It's easier to do than it sounds.

 

[donn]

when he was by me - his bass end was near my ears - seemed loud / borderline uncomfortable and think would be difficult to have a conversation at same time

this has made me slightly nervous of restaurant playing and/or with an other

An accordion sure isnt a quiet instrument. Ive had the same experience. At arms length its a bit loud, closer it can be painfully loud if played vigorously.

Things you can do -

• dont play louder than necessary
• make sure other band members arent driving the volume up (e.g., drum thats too resonant)
• keep your distance from innocent victims
• work on marcato playing and other technical skills that favor clarity over volume - for example, as George has put it here in the past, playing like the keys and buttons are red hot.
• tell anyone who complains to get with the Christmas spirit, accuse them of being scrooges, etc - thats bound to help, anyway just had to throw that in to stay on topic