Hello from the East Midlands

[flatstanley]

Hi, new to the forum and new to accordions!

Stumbled upon accordions by chance a few months ago and really enjoyed having a play. I started on a piano accordion, but decided to opt for a C system CBA, mainly because its less stress on the right hand, and I'm in France a lot (where its the only type of accordion I've seen either played or sold). As I was used to playing the piano, its been quite a struggle making the switch, but I'm hoping it'll get easier!

I've managed to hire a Piermaria for the last couple of months and have now decided to buy one. However, it seems that they aren't common in the UK and most shops seem to sell PAs rather than CBAs. One of the few I've seen within my price range is a Delicia Sonorex 17, but I've searched the web and have never seen any other mention of them. Interested to know if anyone knows anything about them. I believe the factory in the Czech republic has closed down now.

I've already picked up a lot of useful info on CBAs from the forum, so thanks everyone who's contributed.

 

[Soulsaver]

Hi flatstanley, and a warm welcome. Delicia still make accordions... or at least accordions branded Delicia are still made; and I believe still made in the Czech Rep. http://www.deliciaaccordions.com/cms.php?id_cms=11
Hobgoblins in the UK seem to have a dealer relationship with them.

 

[Firebird]

Hi flatstanley

Welcome to the forum. I also play a CBA-C. Very slowly at the mo! Good to hear of another of us. We'll soon form a chain across the country!
Please share your thoughts and revelations as you find your way.
I have a really super second hand 4 row Guistozzi which I was fortunate enough to stumble over in Wales. Now there's an intriguing vision!!

Marj

 

[flatstanley]

Hi Soulsaver and Firebird,

Many thanks for the welcome.

Good to know that Delicia are still in business, though there's still no mention of the elusive Sonorex 17.

However, I've now committed to a Black Diamond cba, which I've had on approval for a week. I have to say that the attitude and service of the people there seem second to none. Very impressed!

I'd be interested to know what if any tutors you might be using. I've followed various chains about this on the forum, and ended up buying the Galliano tutor. I was hoping for fingering recommendations that didn't make too much use of the thumb and little finger, but it seems that most of the modern books make full use of them.

 

[Firebird]

Hi
We've had a look at the Black Diamond website. Why didn't that come up when we searched for CBAs? Looks a super place.

I have the Flo Glorion tutor. It's been a great help. She has cleverly devised some very attractive tunes (in a Continental way) that quickly give you brain ache, but which seem to be an encyclopaedia of possible fingering within a very few pages.
You have to stop and choose some tunes of your own and finger them in your own style. Then you realise that she has given you the 'vocabulary' to build on.
Interestingly, some 'simple' tunes you've chosen…..aren't. But some impressive ones are a cinch - relatively!

Hope you've got someone else to do the dusting!
Marj

 

[Soulsaver]

Black Diamond instruments are made in China; they say to a higher quality standard than the usual Chinese accordion stuff. I hope it works good for you.

 

[flatstanley]

Thanks both for the comments.

Yes, Black Diamond accordions are made in China, but the reeds are made in Italy. One of the things I liked about the company was that they were happy to courier the accordion to me to try with no expense to me if I decided to return it. I like the tone of it, but I'll have to wait and see what the quality of the build is like.

I wish I'd studied the forum more before buying the Galliano tutor! Having read a review on a melodeon forum (but for the cba), the Flo Glorion tutor sounds much more like what I was looking for - (minimum use of the thumb). Perhaps I'll save up and buy that one too. I also wish I'd known about the festnoz she was playing at in July, as we were in Brittany at that time and try and get to as many festnoz(es?) as we can. Ah well, next year perhaps...

 

[losthobos]

Greeting s Stanley....try this book
http://www.amazon.co.uk/HOHNER-FERRERO-MEDARD-CHROMATIQUE-Educational/dp/B00GUGLU98[/url]
Ok its in french but you can figure the jist of it....there are two sets of fingerings within the book (with/without thumb) the thumb in french is pouce
by the time youve completed the first 7 tunes (called Revisions in the book) youll have a fair understanding of botht the CBA and the Stradella system
enjoy

 

[flatstanley]

Hi losthobos, Many thanks for recommending this book. I've not been in a position to order it until recently, but have finally ordered and received it a couple of weeks ago. It is exactly what I was looking for and as you said it clearly sets out the fingerings for cba C system with and without the thumb. Also, I would never have found it on Amazon otherwise as it never appeared on any of my searches for accordion tutors!