Learn accordion from the ground up... should I start this video series?

[Simon Max]

Well... for months now, I have been thinking and considering making a series of videos about the accordion, starting with the VERY VERY basic stuff like how to set up the straps, how to hold it, the basics of playing... *maybe* this might be the time to start it, in small steps. I'm not looking to make the quintessential how-to learn all styles on all accordions, but discuss topics that would interest and benefit people here in relatively short videos.

What do you guys think, is this something that would interest you at all?

If I did start this, would you be interested in this?

If, yes, besides the basics, what specifically would you like to see explained?

Please do. Your videos are all interesting, informative and entertaining.

Simon

 

[Alan Sharkis]

I assume most of you guys have seen the parody in the link below. It's definitely NOT what I would consider a real experience, but we can all use a laugh now and then:

 

[JerryPH]

Haha... "accordineer"
I did not see that one.. its good!!

 

[John M]

. . . Here is where I am going to ask you for your support, tell me what you would want to see in the series!. . .

● How to create Introductions and Endings
● How to create added note patterns when they aren't written in the song
● How to create Bass Solos and where they will "Fit" in a song

Thanks for doing this Jerry. Sure appreciate the time and effort you will put into this.
Don't you want to wait until after you retire next year?

 

[JerryPH]

● How to create Introductions and Endings
● How to create added note patterns when they aren't written in the song
● How to create Bass Solos and where they will "Fit" in a song

Thanks for doing this Jerry. Sure appreciate the time and effort you will put into this.
Don't you want to wait until after you retire next year?

Hmmm, thats kinda in the more advanced section, but it is now on the list!

Oh... I retire this year July!

 

[Tom]

How about how to learn a new tune (advanced?).

I think your series will be great Jerry.

 

[JerryPH]

How about how to learn a new tune (advanced?).
I think your series will be great Jerry.

Added to the list but that won’t be in the first series.

 

[mtj]

OK, seeing that we have a generally positive response, I am going to give it a shot.
My first challenge is defining goals and setting expectations. The course won’t be about me trying to teach everyone how to play, but will be a series of videos filled with tips, ideas and guidelines. Who knows, maybe one day I may want to tackle the “learn how to play accordion”, but for a start, let’s do tips.

My goal is to limit each video to something short… 10-15 minutes max, except for maybe the first video that takes time to introduce and set expectations.

Here is where I am going to ask you for your support, tell me what you would want to see in the series!

I’d like to get a good outline organized before I start so that there is some semblance of a logical progression. Remember this is the start, that is where my focus will be, but if you need info on a more advanced topic, add that to your list here and perhaps that would be added later on in the run of videos. The more you offer, the more I will be able to help more people!

Body position. Especially hand position and I suppose elbow position. Like how to not bend your hand in. Also how to play chromatic, fast.

I assume you’re focusing on Stradella? How about left hand chromatic?

 

[JerryPH]

1 - Body position. Especially hand position and I suppose elbow position. Like how to not bend your hand in. Also how to play chromatic, fast.

2 - I assume you’re focusing on Stradella? How about left hand chromatic?

#1... already in the list...
#2... very hard. To teach it you need to know it. What system, C-system, B-system, Qunit, B-system bayan? I am only familiar with C-system MIII.

 

[losthobos]

I really need advice on how to tie my shoelaces whilst wearing an accordion........I'm constantly tripping over....

 

[JerryPH]

I really need advice on how to tie my shoelaces whilst wearing an accordion........I'm constantly tripping over....

That's why we have girlfriends and/or wives!!
(I see it coming... boy, I am going to get it now... lol)

 

[losthobos]

That's why we have girlfriends and/or wives!!
(I see it coming... boy, I am going to get it now... lol)

I once tried on a North Face jacket on in a mountaineering shop, when I asked why the zip and buttons seemed to be the wrong way round the salesman informed me that it was to prevent the servants becoming confused whilst dressing you.....true story....

 

[mtj]

#1... already in the list...
#2... very hard. To teach it you need to know it. What system, C-system, B-system, Qunit, B-system bayan? I am only familiar with C-system MIII.

Oops. I messed up. I meant teach chromatic scale on the Stradella. Like there are different button options.

 

[JerryPH]

I once tried on a North Face jacket on in a mountaineering shop, when I asked why the zip and buttons seemed to be the wrong way round the salesman informed me that it was to prevent the servants becoming confused whilst dressing you.....true story....

ROFL!!!!

 

[JerryPH]

Oops. I messed up. I meant teach chromatic scale on the Stradella. Like there are different button options.

Thats on the advanced side, but its now on the list... that said, for me it is super easy to play a chromatic scale... on the MIII free bass... lol

 

[JudyKimp]

My full accordion playing so far is about 3 hours (I need to fix that!)... I would say that finding the right position to play has been so far my first problem. I have watched tons of videos on setting straps, sitting and such. But still could use some help. So that is one of the things I would like to see as a noob.

Perhaps talking on the ideal size of the accordion to begin with would be also interesting. It is easy to get carried away and buy a full size instrument (as I almost? did). And then find that, to learn, is perhaps too big and tiring.

Once you get your accordion and know how to sit or stand up to play it... Some basic info and guidance / exercises to manage "breathing" and to play basic things, first right hand, then left, then both. And some technical exercises guidance, to build a good foundation.

As an amateur pianist, I find the right hand relatively easy to deal with on accordion piano; maybe talking about different accordion types would be also cool. The left hand has little to do with the piano playing, so some detailed info, with an explanation of notes / chords distribution and why is that way could help also.

Sorry, nothing too fancy here, just my thoughts on what I would find useful some weeks ago, when I began my interest on this instrument, and now, already with an accordion, but still little practice on it.

The left hand is basically set up very logically - each row (horizontally) is in the cycle of fifths. The first button of each row, is a counterbass single note - third of the chord. The second button is the root single note chord. Then you have the major chord, minor chord, dominant 7th chord, and the last button is the diminished chord. Attached is a chart of the left hand bass buttons on a stradella accordion. Hope this is helpful.

 

[Mike t.]

Picking the accordion up without damaging keys or buttons because straps were caught on them, storing, transporting, damage from heat, moisture, ect. Checking straps for breaking. The common sense stuff.

 

[Jose EB5AGV]

The left hand is basically set up very logically - each row (horizontally) is in the cycle of fifths. The first button of each row, is a counterbass single note - third of the chord. The second button is the root single note chord. Then you have the major chord, minor chord, dominant 7th chord, and the last button is the diminished chord. Attached is a chart of the left hand bass buttons on a stradella accordion. Hope this is helpful.

Thanks for the explanation and chart, but my question is not what corresponds to each button, but how to position the left hand to properly reach them, what fingering to use (I know there are at least two main options, 4-3 and 3-2) and that kind of things. Also, how to properly set the left hand strap

 

[JerryPH]

Picking the accordion up without damaging keys or buttons because straps were caught on them, storing, transporting, damage from heat, moisture, ect. Checking straps for breaking. The common sense stuff.

It is now on the list (most already were, really, but there are a couple great things I could add/improve).

Thanks everyone... please keep it coming. The more I get, the more I put in things that you will like.

 

[Jose EB5AGV]

I know these are not basic things but, as there are so many neglected accordions around, what about a future series on maintenance and repairs?

There are lots of things a handy person can do to to solve some problems, as dislodging blocked reeds, solve buzzing from wax cracks, valve replacement, basic bellows repair, stuck keys / basses, ... That could add a bunch of instruments back to operating condition and thus improve the accordion ubiquity

And then, for the more adventurous, a tuning series!

Edit: the tuning comment is intended as a joke, I know it is not a feasible thing for a beginner. Sorry if it was not clear enough with the emoji!