How to see your left hand

[Ed S]

When a noob like me is first learning a new stradella jump on a big accordion, it's helpful to be able to see the fingers and buttons.
I tried using a mirror, but couldn't get it right.

A tablet computer with a front-facing camera works great for this - it's easy to zoom in as much as you want, and lighting doesn't matter much. I'm using a Fire HD 10.

FWIW.

 

[dak]

Funnily I've just made some videos, including closeups of both hand actions (last one

).

I used two separate cameras for that and their monitors pointed towards me because I needed to sit right in their view.

Like:

In left-to-right order camera for the total sight, camera for the right hand, camera for the left hand (tilted so that it catches the bass side as it travels out and down).

Seeing me play was an enormous distraction, and to get through I had to force myself to look elsewhere or I'd lose the place in the piece. That's the reason I am staring holes in the air to my side rather than straight ahead. Even watching those videos I actually can associate comparatively little of what my hands appear to be doing with how things feel playing.

So I'd be careful relying on your outer eye too much for developing your inner eye. It is more important how things feel to you rather than how they actually appear.

 

[JerryPH]

The sooner you learn where things are without a crutch, the faster you will learn how to not to need to look. Practice is the mother of experience!

 

[JKJ]

When a noob like me is first learning a new stradella jump on a big accordion, it's helpful to be able to see the fingers and buttons.
I tried using a mirror, but couldn't get it right.

A tablet computer with a front-facing camera works great for this - it's easy to zoom in as much as you want, and lighting doesn't matter much. I'm using a Fire HD 10.

FWIW.

That idea might be worth trying a bit. I kept a printed diagram at hand to help me visualize what I was reaching for.

I do think the respectable goal of dumping the crutch will be easier once I actually learn where the buttons are and what the reach feels like.
Hey, what was helping me a lot is the book “The Mighty Accordion” by David DiGiuseppe, recommended by Jim at Liberty Bellows - it’s ALL about the stradella side. (At least helped before my left shoulder surgery - hopefully back at it in a few months!!) In just a short time I was getting comfortable with the stretches - I expect the jumps will come with enough practice. Can’t wait to restart!

JKJ

 

[dak]

That idea might be worth trying a bit. I kept a printed diagram at hand to help me visualize what I was reaching for.

Sure, you need to associate chord names with some meaning. But a wall of buttons does not have meaning. I wasn't suggesting that you grope about until magically some button sounds right. Working with diagrams while learning makes sense. Having the diagrams in your head fight with visuals, less so.

 

[Javthedog]

I used a tuner app - Instuner - on my iPad, next to the music stand. No looking at fingers, but could see that I'd got the right - or wrong - note. Still use it sometimes when I'm trying a piece in a key and I'm not sure of the noise the box will make......