Instrument for non-musical beginner?

[Javthedog]

Before I tried an accordion, I bought a melodica........sort of felt like a halfway house between a harmonica and an (as yet unknown) accordion. Since I started on the accordion - Jan last year - the melodica has sat, unplayed in its box in the corner...........probably a song there......poor little melodica, all alone, nobody loves me blah blah.....

 

[ramron67]

I might try the smallest diatonic accordion. Would it be confusing for a person to switch to CBA after starting on diatonic?

I tried a diatonic accordion as an adult and I found the bass structure to be much easier to learn.
A diatonic accordion is very similar to a large harmonica. If you have played an harmonica, a diatonic should be intuitive to play.

 

[Zvon]

I bought a melodica. It's free-reed keyboard instrument powered by blowing air through a hose. Mine has 37 keys.

There are three ways this could go:
1) I might like it. The problem is solved.
2) I might lose interest. I didn't spend a lot of money.
3) If I make progress on the melodica I could decide to get an accordion with lots of bass keys.

I forgot to mention that I spend a lot of time in a camper-van. Melodica or a small accordion would be small enough to travel with and mellow enough not to be annoy other campers.

Thanks again to everyone who gave advice. You may hear from me again soon. I really do look forward to getting those bass keys...

Dwight

Congratulations!
Melodica is one of the instruments I would have suggested. I have a few ones that I got before I bought an accordion. I still play them because even if both are free reeds instruments, they have many differences. My first instrument was trumpet so I love an instrument where the human breath controls articulation.

 

[Xiane]

Congratulations!
Melodica is one of the instruments I would have suggested. I have a few ones that I got before I bought an accordion. I still play them because even if both are free reeds instruments, they have many differences. My first instrument was trumpet so I love an instrument where the human breath controls articulation.

I find the melodica...odd. But I'm a diatonic accordion player, so I have no idea what that might even mean!

 

[EuroFolker]

Theremin for the treble side:



The pedalboard for the bass side:

 

[Zvon]

Speaking of melodicas here are 2 very different great performances!

 

[dunlustin]

It's nice that the topic has found an energy of its own - Dwight seems to have left the room?

 

[ramron67]

I am surprised that no one mentioned the concertina as an option.
Wasn't small size one of the criteria mentioned by Dwight?

 

[123dwight]

I'm still here. I'm spending the month in my camper van as I slowing make my way to Texas to watch the eclypse. I'm currently in Nevada, parked in a desolate valley surrounded by snowcapped mountains...

I brought a harmonica and a kalimba with me on the trip. I'm still leaning towards getting an accordion when I finish the trip. I might even get one in Texas- Alamo Music has a lot of diatonic instraments.

On the other hand, kalimba is quite easy and satisfing to play. I might just keep using it

Dwight

 

[JCarl]

There’s one thing I have learned so far if you want to consider a light smaller accordion I’m very happy with my Excelsior 120 that I just got but boy it is heavy.

 

[Zvon]

There’s one thing I have learned so far if you want to consider a light smaller accordion I’m very happy with my Excelsior 120 that I just got but boy it is heavy.

Indeed, I was lucky to find a vintage 41/120 Excelsior in February, it sounds fantastic and I don't regret buying it, but I did afterwards buy a lighter 34/60 that is way more manageable to play. I am a 68 years old beginner accordionist. I am not sure but I think diatonic accordions tend to be lighter than piano ones?

 

[Javthedog]

......... spoons.....

 

[JCarl]

Indeed, I was lucky to find a vintage 41/120 Excelsior in February, it sounds fantastic and I don't regret buying it, but I did afterwards buy a lighter 34/60 that is way more manageable to play. I am a 68 years old beginner accordionist. I am not sure but I think diatonic accordions tend to be lighter than piano ones?

Don't know, I'm too new, but for me, I've played piano for over 40 years, so it's one less thing I have to learn.

 

[Javthedog]

Indeed, I was lucky to find a vintage 41/120 Excelsior in February, it sounds fantastic and I don't regret buying it, but I did afterwards buy a lighter 34/60 that is way more manageable to play. I am a 68 years old beginner accordionist. I am not sure but I think diatonic accordions tend to be lighter than piano ones?

Is there a confusion here between a diatonic, a chromatic button and a piano accordion? I'm thinking a CBA will be much the same weight as a piano accordion given equivalent "voices" in the bass and treble. I'm not sure piano keys vs buttons would be a big weight difference. I'm thinking - and would be happy to be corrected - that a diatonic accordion is also called a melodion....in limited keys, different notes on pull and push and a lot lighter.

 

[dak]

I'm thinking a CBA will be much the same weight as a piano accordion given equivalent "voices" in the bass and treble. I'm not sure piano keys vs buttons would be a big weight difference.

CBA tend to be more compact. At same number of reeds, they tend to be lighter because less wood gets involved. It depends a lot on the construction, though. My instrument clocks in at 4*62 notes in the treble and 2*60 notes in the bass and weight about 14.5kg (32lb). Which is comparatively light. You can get similar ranges for 17kg or more. And a 45-note piano converter tends to weigh more in spite of a smaller range because it is quite larger, and that does not merely add material in proportion to the additional size but also material to deal with the statics of larger leverage.

 

[Zvon]

Is there a confusion here between a diatonic, a chromatic button and a piano accordion? I'm thinking a CBA will be much the same weight as a piano accordion given equivalent "voices" in the bass and treble. I'm not sure piano keys vs buttons would be a big weight difference. I'm thinking - and would be happy to be corrected - that a diatonic accordion is also called a melodion....in limited keys, different notes on pull and push and a lot lighter.

I meant diatonic, as that is what the original poster mentioned. I assume they may be lighter because they seem to usually have less notes and bass buttons as you mention.

 

[Xiane]

I meant diatonic, as that is what the original poster mentioned. I assume they may be lighter because they seem to usually have less notes and bass buttons as you mention.

Could be either, or both, in terms of generally being lighter? There are CBA systems for essentially chording the basses yourself, which reduces the number of buttons, too.

 

[123dwight]

I think I'm going to buy a CBA when I get home from my trip. If I buy new, I see three options-

The CBA version of Hohner XS. The dark grey instruments come with adult straps. It's a travel friendly instrument. Downsides include being limitted to 21 treble and 15 bass buttons. The treble is in three rows rather than five.

Startone from Thomann is about the same cost. It offers five rows and 37 treble notes with 72 bass. Some reviewers are happy, others had quality control issues. I suspect that users of cheap starter intruments may not be qualified to review instruments.

Roland fr-1xb costs more than I was hoping to spend on a first accordion. If I like it, it would save money in the future. It easily converts to free bass, etc. It has 37 treble notes.

What would an experienced player say about these choices?

 

[Tom]

I think I'm going to buy a CBA when I get home from my trip. If I buy new, I see three options-

The CBA version of Hohner XS. The dark grey instruments come with adult straps. It's a travel friendly instrument. Downsides include being limitted to 21 treble and 15 bass buttons. The treble is in three rows rather than five.

Startone from Thomann is about the same cost. It offers five rows and 37 treble notes with 72 bass. Some reviewers are happy, others had quality control issues. I suspect that users of cheap starter intruments may not be qualified to review instruments.

Roland fr-1xb costs more than I was hoping to spend on a first accordion. If I like it, it would save money in the future. It easily convers to free bass, etc. It has 37 treble notes.

What would an experienced player say about these choices?

Are you in a position where volume is an issue? Ie playing at night where you will bother other family members? If so, go Roland, and keep an eye out for a good used acoustic.

Conventional wisdom is that good quality used in good shape is a better bet than “cheap” new. Not always easy to find however.

It’s hard to suggest without knowing what is available in your area, and without having talked to you. That is the real issue here.

Good luck!!!!!!

 

[123dwight]

I forgot to mention that I’m in a rural area, far from any cities. My purchase will be done online. Used CBA are not common in the US and I don’t feel comfortable buying eBay items that I can’t see first hand. Roland is starting to look like an option for me.