Back after 60 years!

[Jmcgsd]

Back in the 50’s I played piano accordion but lost interest after high school. Over the years I’ve played some acoustic stringed instrument, now primarily banjo with a bit of ukulele thrown in for portability.

I’m ready to tackle the accordion again at the ripe old age of 81! I’ve started playing an Anglo Concertina, but I really want an accordion & I’ve got the blessing of my wife of 60 years.

I think I’m interested in a 48 bass instrument since I want to keep it light and relatively portable.

So thanks for letting me join and I’ll probably be posting regularly.
Joe

 

[Ffingers]

Back in the 50’s I played piano accordion but lost interest after high school. Over the years I’ve played some acoustic stringed instrument, now primarily banjo with a bit of ukulele thrown in for portability.

I’m ready to tackle the accordion again at the ripe old age of 81! I’ve started playing an Anglo Concertina, but I really want an accordion & I’ve got the blessing of my wife of 60 years.

I think I’m interested in a 48 bass instrument since I want to keep it light and relatively portable.

So thanks for letting me join and I’ll probably be posting regularly.
Joe

Welcome from another WWII baby; one who bought his first accordion for his 80th. birthday!

 

[boxplayer4000]

I’m ready to tackle the accordion again at the ripe old age of 81!

Well done!! Surely the trick is to keep busy and active. You'll probably be pleasantly surprised at how much you remember of the accordion from all those years ago. A 48 bass accordion seems an ideal size for starters; it'll certainly be enough to 'entertain' the neighbours, if you have any within earshot.

 

[Accordionna]

Welcome back!
The accordion in my profile pic was my first, in 1963. I put it down around 1984. On my way to try mandolin in 2016, I saw a shelf of accordions and . . .

 

[Tom]

Welcome Joe!

 

[Jmcgsd]

Thanks folks. I bought my 48 bass today. A Hohner Student VM from Tempo Trend in Victoria BC. Hopefully I’ll have it in about a week. Can’t wait!

 

[JudyKimp]

Welcome to the forum! Just what I was thinking you should get - a student Hohner. I thought it was late for me to come back to it after 50 years off at the ripe old age of 64 (soon to be 65). I had the good fortune of getting one accordion cheap, and one accordion given to me - then I fell and broke both my elbows in March - but yay - my doctor said I could go back to playing yesterday - after 5 months of healing bone - but it's a slow go. Congrats on your acquisition and have a blast!

 

[JKJ]

Jmcgsd​

I'm sure you'll do well! I'm an accordion beginner, started from scratch last year at age 73. I play piano so the keyboard side is not much problem except for the orientation, but the stredella bass had me in thumb screws. Based on a recommendation from Liberty Bellows, I got the book The Mighty Accordion, all about the bass. Was progressing nicely until I fell and injured my shoulder. After surgery for AC separation and months of healing and PT I still can't work the bellows but I'll start again when I can! (Until then I'm practicing on a melodica, positioning it vertically like the PA keyboard, to get used to the non-piano orientation)

JKJ

 

[JudyKimp]

Jmcgsd​

I'm sure you'll do well! I'm an accordion beginner, started from scratch last year at age 73. I play piano so the keyboard side is not much problem except for the orientation, but the stredella bass had me in thumb screws. Based on a recommendation from Liberty Bellows, I got the book The Mighty Accordion, all about the bass. Was progressing nicely until I fell and injured my shoulder. After surgery for AC separation and months of healing and PT I still can't work the bellows but I'll start again when I can! (Until then I'm practicing on a melodica, positioning it vertically like the PA keyboard, to get used to the non-piano orientation)

JKJ

Sorry to hear about your injury. I thought I had it bad. Speedy recovery to you!

 

[JKJ]

Sorry to hear about your injury. I thought I had it bad. Speedy recovery to you!

Thank you. One thing I’ve learned over the decades is patience!
Fortunately to get my music “fix” I can still move my left arm enough to play the piano! The classical guitar is more of a problem due to the proper arm position needed, but that should get easier.

A couple of people recommended I consider an electronic accordion like the Roland which apparently can be played without extensive bellows effort.

 

[Tom]

Thank you. One thing I’ve learned over the decades is patience!
Fortunately to get my music “fix” I can still move my left arm enough to play the piano! The classical guitar is more of a problem due to the proper arm position needed, but that should get easier.

A couple of people recommended I consider an electronic accordion like the Roland which apparently can be played without extensive bellows effort.

I wish you a speedy and thorough recovery J! Yes, the Roland can be played without moving the bellows at all.