Accordion Stand

[BrandyD]

I've been enjoying the links shared on this forum to accordion videos. While at a link I poke around a bit at other links just to see what's out there in the accordion playing world. I have been out of the accordion circle for many years and noticed a few people are now playing using accordion stands.

The accordion is literally on a stand, about chest high and the accordionist plays with the accordion attached to the stand and not strapped to their bodies. Of the videos I've seen, I only saw women playing this way. Is this the "new" way of playing an accordion?

Of the few videos I watched like this, I find that I lose interest in the players. They don't look like they are enjoying themselves and just stand there, playing the right hand and moving the bellows with their left - almost like they are not feeling the song, just playing a tune they memorized.

I'm old, I began playing the accordion around 1968. One of the reasons I love playing the accordion, vs the many other instruments I have played, is that it is strapped to my body, I can feel the music throughout my body. With it strapped to me, I can bring life into the accordion and into the music I play. I can move with the flow of the music, which attracts people to watch and feel the music with me. (Does this make sense?) With playing an accordion on a stand I would lose most of this feeling and would be afraid my music would lose the emotions that people feel from an accordion.

thank you

brandy

 

[Soulsaver]

The players I know that have tried the stand don't like it. I think people try it as a last resort so they can continue to play when they can't manage the weight of the instrument any more. last discussion there weren't many fans on here. Most feel like you, it restricts the 'invovement' with the instrument. Many more members now, perhaps we'll get a different view?

 

[BrandyD]

Thank you! I was thinking it may be handy as I get into my golden years, but then downsizing the accordion would be a much better option as I have a very large accordion. It was younger women, 25-30ish, that were using these.

Brandy

 

[fjsys]

I have one that I tried for a while and you are correct. There is not the movement with it or the feeling of the reeds on your chest that you get without it.

The reason that I tried it was that my upper back was bothering me and I thought this might take some stress off it. In the end I decided to work on upper body strength and correcting my posture so that I didn't need it, so now it sits in the closet. (where most of these end up)

Ben

 

[KLR]

I use one with my lighter 3 row button accordion, but not with my full size PA, it's actually more difficult to play. I do like playing standing up but can't use shoulder straps, I get pinched nerves from the weight. It's just at home I use the stand, lugging that thing around would be a complete chore.

 

[TomBR]

I've seen someone use a office chair with the back removed and the T-bar that used to support the back lowered and padded. They sat on the seat "backwards" so the T bar between their legs took the weight of the accordion.
Many do this?
Tom

 

[Soulsaver]

Ive seen someone use a office chair with the back removed and the T-bar that used to support the back lowered and padded. They sat on the seat backwards so the T bar between their legs took the weight of the accordion.
Many do this?
Tom

That sounds like a practical possibility. Ive thought before about a kind of support that you should be able to screw on to a bracket at bottom of treble side... like the spike at the bottom of a double bass.
Or a chair with a kind of adjustable padded pommel at the front to support the box.

 

[Glenn]

The idea of fixing a heavy accordion at the base to a fixed object could give rise to some horrible stresses if the accordion gets knocked or pushed out of its alignment. It all sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

 

[goldtopia]

Yes, I agree what has been said. I am of the age where after about half an hour or so my a 72 bass 2 voice gets a bit heavy, mainly on my left shoulder. I don't really like the idea of an accordion stand and would rather consider something else but I dont know if there is anything else. If there is I would really like to know. My 32 bass is OK but its a bit limited so I spend more time on the piano.

 

[Soulsaver]

The idea of fixing a heavy accordion at the base to a fixed object could give rise to some horrible stresses if the accordion gets knocked or pushed out of its alignment. It all sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

I dont see as any different than the stresses that the bottom strap anchor causes - it isnt fixed at the bottom, resting on a padded pommel no different than resting on your thigh.

 

[Glenn]

I understood from the description it was an accordion on a pole like bolting it to a fixed post. Clearly I need a diagram to understand this one.

 

[JIM D.]

http://www.musicstore.de/se_SE/SEK/art-KEY0003094-000

 

[KLR]

Heres one in action: KMSTAND - Konig Meyer Accordion Stand $399 - YouTube They trotted out their heaviest accordion for this vid, a real tank of a Hohner Morino: Weight is said to be Almost 40 pounds. Thats 18.14 kg. Cripes what a monster. Thats what you get with double tone chambers and dedicated 3 rows of free bass, and lord knows how many voices.

Incidentally I dont know if Id ever bother doing business with Liberty Bellows but I love to cue up the videos they make, they have some really unique items in stock, and occasionally theyll bring in a real hot shot player too.

I use my KM stand everyday, practicing one of my button boxes, an 80 bass Paolo BCC#. Ill stand for a while, then sit on a high chair - it cant lower down enough to use with typical chairs. Ive seen a pic of a smaller one though. Its pretty much the same to me playing with the stand and sitting, or sitting and using straps, FWIW. These stands cost a pretty penny so not for everyone.

 

[Eddy Yates]

Old thread, I know, but just want to add what I see over here as the main use, and one I’ll use sometimes. In a show, the player is sometimes called on to play accordion as well as other keyboards. When there’s not enough time to pick up the accordion, put on the straps, and fasten the back strap, the K&M Accordion Stand enables the player to jump to the accordion and play, then get quickly back to a piano or keyboard. Not nearly as much fun, but sometimes you just want to hear the accordion, eh?

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Hi Brandy,

I must have led a sheltered life, as I hadn't even heard of such a contraption. Needless to say, I have never used one, nor do I fancy the idea.

No, I have decided ........ I don't want one.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[JIM D.]

These Koning Meyer accordion stands have been offered here in the US for the past 60+ years. The sad fact is that 98% sold in the past are now in storage gathering dust. The problem owners found that once a box is fastened to the stand, it then made the performer immobile when using the contraption and restricted the performer to a standing position.
There was also the possibility of the stand being tipped over with a box attached. I have an accordion friend that used one of these in the 70's and on a performance the stand with accordion attached was accidentally tipped over. He was performing in a 3 ft. high stage and the stand survived but the accordion, well it took me 2 weeks to repair.
If you inquire on Ebay or your Craigs lists you can find a used one for peanuts.

 

[jozz]

I would use it as a gimmick, I can see it now: playing and rolling around at the same time, a kick drum and hihat at its base, LED lights, rattling donation box, etc.

 

[Eddy Yates]

Definitely more fun and better control to strap the accordion on, but I’ve written music for an opera that requires me to immediately play the accordion after I’ve played the piano. I can’t afford to hire a second keyboard player, and there’s no time to safely and quietly pick up the accordion and strap it on. Jim D., next time you see a used one, please let me know. I need one and they’re $500-$600 new. I’ve never found a used one.

 

[JIM D.]

Join the -
<EMAIL email="AccordionFreedomForum10@yahoogroups.com">AccordionFreedomForum10@yahoogroups.com</EMAIL>
and post a request for a used accordion stand. Should get a response as there are many out there gathering dust.

 

[JerryPH]

Heres one in action: They trotted out their heaviest accordion for this vid, a real tank of a Hohner Morino: Weight is said to be Almost 40 pounds. Thats 18.14 kg. Cripes what a monster. Thats what you get with double tone chambers and dedicated 3 rows of free bass, and lord knows how many voices.

Hmmmm, looks a little familiar... oh, yeah, I remember now... thats the very accordion that I play! :lol: :lol:

http://syner-g.no-ip.biz/mymusic/files/185bass.jpg>

Can you see that accordion rocking back and forth on that silly stand? ZERO control of his instrument!

Sorry, not for me.