Beginner's Question

[fraujoolie]

Hi! I'm a new accordion student-- I just had my first lesson yesterday. I am also an amateur pianist, so I figured it was a natural jump to accordion. My teacher (who has been teaching since 1950, bless her heart!) gave me a small 12-key-bass rental, and the left hand strap doesn't adjust at all. I am getting pretty sore across the top of my hand. I have to keep the strap right behind my knuckles, any further back, and it's impossible for me to curve my hand enough to reach the buttons. But the hand strap is loose on me, and I have to really bend my hand at a sharp angle to control the movement of the bellows . So there's the weight of pushing/pulling against my top of my hand. Sore and leaving a red mark after practice. Am I doing something wrong, or does this accordion not fit me?
Speaking of fit, I have the shoulder straps out as far as they can go, but the accordion still doesn't reach my lap. Is this particular model just too small for me? It seems like it is, based on the shoulder straps, but my hand is really flopping around with the hand strap. This instrument is totally uncomfortable, but I'm not sure if it's beginners pains, or an ill-fitting rental. My teacher didn't really check the fit with me. Your thoughts?

 

[goldtopia]

What you have is a childs accordion which is too small for you. As you are a pianist I would suggest the smallest size to be a 72 bass.

 

[Glenn]

Unlike a piano, an accordion has to fit your physiognomy. I think Bill has identified it correctly that the instrument you have is made for a child.
Does your teacher not have a larger instrument that you can borrow?

 

[JIM D.]

The 12 bass accordion is and has been widely used for a starter instrument. When your instruction starts the first order of business is to properly adjust the instrument to the student whether child or adult. I find it hard to believe an instructor with over a half century experience has provided you with an accordion that has not been fitted to you and not capable of adjustment. Please don't quit because it doesn't fit. If it's a rental by all means request a replacement. Musically Yours; JIM D.

 

[fraujoolie]

Thank you for your replies! When I was contacted by the studio, there was much discussion between myself and the instructor's daughter (who also plays accordion, but it doesn't sound like she teaches). From what I understand, my teacher is quite accomplished, but also is suffering from dementia. But her daughter was emphatic that her mother is still teaching and maintains a small studio. It was the only studio in town that was promoted as an accordion-only studio, and with rentals, and very affordable...so I was optimistic.
Her daughter asked me to keep in contact with her about my impressions of it all. It seems like a sad situation. My teacher is clearly a wonderful musician and had a vibrant studio at one time. Her home studio was filled with evidence of a great career. But it definitely seemed like she was not entirely well, and fitting me with a tiny accordion may just be another sign of that. If I can switch to a more appropriate rental, I will give it a go. I can humor the quirks (for instance, I shared with her my piano experience, that I had 18 credit hours in music as an undergraduate, I've also played drums for 15 years, yet my teacher insisted I tap my foot and sing along with the note names, as I played). I appreciate your input. I will try to get a more suitable accordion. Otherwise, I may need to politely return my child's accordion and search for another teacher (and perhaps your input on what to look for in buying a quality used instrument). I'm not discouraged! Actually, I found myself watching a few Bayan videos tonight and I'm really inspired!!

 

[dunlustin]

You seem to be in a potentially upsetting situation.
Realistically you need to look elsewhere in my opinion - experiences to date seem to confirm that.
Don't know where you are but are you aware there are several versions of the button accordion - not always apparent at first glance?

 

[Jim the box]

You seem to be in a potentially upsetting situation.
Realistically you need to look elsewhere in my opinion - experiences to date seem to confirm that.

I agree with dunlustin, you owe it to yourself to get the best start on the accordion as you can to keep that initial enthusiasm going. :tup:

Believe me; you will need it in the time ahead. :ch

 

[fraujoolie]

Well, I played phone tag with my teacher's daughter today. Her message chuckled about my "cute" complaint of the accordion being small and uncomfortable to hold. She says that all beginners start on this size instrument, period. If I progress over the next few weeks, then we will "see how it goes." She will find me some longer shoulder straps in the meantime, however. This won't address the hand strap issue, though. A disappointing response!

The C bass button is driving me crazy, too. It's bent and wheezes a cluster chord. My gosh, I'm trying! I once had a very demanding piano instructor that taught me to never complain about the quality of an instrument. "A good musician can make a poor instrument sound beautifully. If you don't like the tone or action, work harder."

I was hoping she would agree that I needed a larger accordion. She was actually there (in the house) during my first lesson. They probably all could have heard that the bass C was broken and if I could sight-read through the first book without too much difficulty, maybe I could "handle" a more mature instrument?

 

[Happy girl]

I feel very sad for you. This isn’t a good start & you should allow yourself better.

Stick to your gut instinct; follow the advice from the experienced players on this forum; they mean it well.

Do you have an accordion dealer near you where you can explore your options & get a feel for what is comfortable for you?

Best wishes for a brighter beginning with a more suitable instrument.

 

[Anyanka]

Where are you based, Joolie?

 

[fraujoolie]

I'm in Portland, OR.
Well, I have paid for two lessons up-front. I will plan my graceful exit. I need to start calling around-- there is an accordion guild in town, I've sent off an email to them and perhaps they have some suggestions. I honestly have not found a lot of info online about teachers in my area.

 

[dunlustin]

You may well get best value from your 2nd lesson by not attending?
I'm sorry you've had a bad start to your new interest.
If a guild is a club then that's perhaps the best possible place to look.
Would it be worth looking for DVD/ on-line learning materials - with your background, face to face instruction may not be essential?
Detail: a big enough accordion will not necessarily rest on your lap - hence the need to have good straps, well-adjusted.

ps: a search on "accordion club portland Oregon" seems to throw up useful results - didn't look in detail.

 

[Puxto]

I started from mucking around on a toy box ha, a proper one is much more satisfying, but in the meantime have you tried just hooking your thumb through the bass strap instead of putting the hand through? if its really tight that can work, and extend the right strap with a shoelace if needed to make it sit more comfortably

 

[jarvo]

Hmm..You can do better ...there are plenty of excellent secondhand accordions on the market and if you are already a piano player then you have a head start on the theory of the right hand side ....the dynamics are slightly different and it took me, as an accomplishedly sh**e player of some years to realise this :shock:

No "gentle on the key a soft note makes" ...it don't matter how hard or soft you press -and let go of the damned thing quickly - ish or it goes on and on .... :hb

The stradella side is a doddle ,in theory ,(and I mean theory ...cos it is brilliant ) and if a klutz like me can make a reasonably half decentish ,semi-amateurishly half open fist of a bass pattern (yeah okay Bob M it took a kick up the jacksy to make it work better :tup: )then someone who is good at music should be able to grasp it
no problemo......

and there you are ...my own experience was I boughta 60 bass Welty from Bulgaria for about $ 200...after a year moved up to a 80 bass Scandalli for about £500.....and yes there was pain....I hate spending money ......no seriously ...there was pain ..but it took a while to figure out that the straps I had on each instrument were too short and tight and that you have to experiment with measurement...( coo ,I like that ...it rhymes) now I have only weight issues ...however my Dr says that a good dietician will sort that out and it has nothing to do with the accordion ......What I am trying to say in my clumsy and half assesd manner is .... you need to get a better accordion ... a better teacher ...if you need a teach at all to get going and some better straps.....

and you say that you are from Portland Or......and then there is no second choice ...Portland or where ? Or, is it just Portland ....? Or ...somewhere other than

confused.......

 

[nathen]

A teacher putting an adult, who has piano experience, on a 12bass is bad news!? When I was 12 and went to an accordion teacher she told me the minimum size was 48 bass. Even then she suggested that a 72 bass would be better. The daughter's is obviously trying to protect her mother, not looking after your needs. Vote with your feet.

With the comments you've had from members of the forum you are off to a good start.

Good luck,

nathen

 

[lasvegascolonel]

I suspect many of us started out as kids on a 12 bass accordion...I did in the mid 1950s, but within 6 months they told me to get a 120 bass, which my parents did. I know the Palmer-Hughes course requires the 120 bass during the 2nd book. I think a 96 might work for most of the songs, but a 12 bass is definitely not the instrument to have beyond the very basics.

 

[fraujoolie]

Well, that's exactly what I was given: a Palmer-Hughes book from the 1950's. I was sawing along to Pam and Hap this week, and singing about eating my vegetables! Teacher's daughter keeps calling me and rubbing me the wrong way. I'll be there, in any case, this Monday because I have this tiny accordion. The daughter has promised me a 120(?) bass rental, but hinted that it's a wreck!! Aye.

@Jaarvo: this message cracks me up! Portland, Oregon...as opposed to Portland, Maine. Opposite coasts! If you google "Portlandia," it is a quirky tv series about this endearing town. Where are you??

Thank you all for the advice. Greatly appreciated! What a dramatic start!

 

[BobM]

Heres a nice instrument. http://www.thomann.de/gb/weltmeister_juwel_30_72_iii_5_mt_black.htm

Theres a few of us on the forum with the ACHAT who can vouch for the quality at this price point. And, when youve grown out of it and move on to a concert instrument, youll have a nice (also light) compact instrument to have as a spare, and to play when you dont need the big one.

BobM.

 

[Tom]

Wow what a sad situation. A home health aid for an Alzheimer patiant generally gets paid, not the other way around. The people here are right, gently and politly exit that situation and get your butt over to the Rose City Accordion club post haste. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200. Unfortunately you missed the meeting this month biut the presidents's email is on the contact page. Explain your situation and receive local advice. Good luck to you!

"The Rose City Accordion Club is open to all accordion players, from beginners to professionals, their friends and families, and to anyone who enjoys music. Meetings are held monthly on the third Saturday of each month at the Milwaukie Public Safety Building, 3200 SE Harrison Street (SE 32nd and Harrison), Milwaukie OR, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM."

 

[Soulsaver]

If the teacher has enough of her faculties to teach (& you'll soon know) and no reasonably convenient alternative is around, I'd take a piece of each of the advice given and look for a 2nd hander 72/96 (or even 120 if you can handle the bulk as they tend to be better value for money as not so popular) and stay where you are until she can't inspire you.
And in my experience, not many teachers hire out accordions these days; so if you find your own, you can more easily shop around for lessons.
Or even consider self teaching or online lessons?
Dementia is a real shame, but unless its affecting her ability to teach, I'd use her if the alternative is inconvenient for you, even if you 'park' while you find your own accordion.
And welcome to the forum & good luck with your endeavors.