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

[JerryPH]

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!

I will be honest, I think it starts to fall outside the accordion tips idea to help beginners, but it's added to the list.

My take on tuning... you have to be HONEST with yourself and your abilities.
Tuning is not something that a new accordion owner or an inexperienced repair person should even think about, much less do... one stroke using bad tools or bad technique and you now have to (as a minimum) start looking for a new reed... or at worst, a whole new set of reeds. At best you have a horrible sounding accordion that no one else will ever want.

 

[Jose EB5AGV]

I will be honest, I think it starts to fall outside the accordion tips idea to help beginners, but it's added to the list.

My take on tuning... you have to be HONEST with yourself and your abilities.
Tuning is not something that a new accordion owner or an inexperienced repair person should even think about, much less do... one stroke using bad tools or bad technique and you now have to (as a minimum) start looking for a new reed... or at worst, a whole new set of reeds. At best you have a horrible sounding accordion that no one else will ever want.

Well, that part on tuning was kind of a joke, sorry if that was not clear...

But the other part about small repairs I think could help to get some instruments back to life. This is my aim with my newly acquired Hohner. I will publish on its thread my experience with it, also as a way to support my comments. Wish me luck!

 

[JerryPH]

Well, that part on tuning was kind of a joke, sorry if that was not clear...

But the other part about small repairs I think could help to get some instruments back to life. This is my aim with my newly acquired Hohner. I will publish on its thread my experience with it, also as a way to support my comments. Wish me luck!

1. If you insist on (as an inexperienced person) trying to repair your accordion, DO YOUR RESEARCH before starting.
2. good luck!

P.S. Did you know that a full tuning of my Morino or Gola by an expert would take upwards of 40 hours and at least 2-4 weeks to complete PROPERLY?

 

[Jose EB5AGV]

1. If you insist on (as an inexperienced person) trying to repair your accordion, DO YOUR RESEARCH before starting.
2. good luck!

P.S. Did you know that a full tuning of my Morino or Gola by an expert would take upwards of 40 hours and at least 2-4 weeks to complete PROPERLY?

1. Yes, I am reading and watching plenty to get some foundation. I have a good lab at home devoted to musical instruments, mostly electronics, but I have worked also on some guitars (classical and electric) with good results so far (you can check one of my repairs at My Legend Stratocaster repair ). Scroll the topic to see the results!

2. Thanks!

No, I knew it was hard to tune a top-notch accordion, but not exactly how much. Wow!!!

 

[JudyKimp]

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

I'm certainly no expert at this point. I believe that the fingering mostly depends on where you're coming from. I basically start with 3-2, but if I'm coming from where I'm using my 3rd finger already, or depending on the reach, I may go to the 4-3. Does that make sense to you? I find I just try to follow my instincts and what feels comfortable.

 

[JerryPH]

I have said it before... when it comes to fingering, it is all based on what the next note is, so pick the one that lets you move to the next note, and next and next, etc...

 

[mtj]

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.

When playing a piano accordion on a standard one (41 keys) it's much harder (at least for me) the highest notes. Even scales it's hard to cross over fingers etc. I've heard people say tilting the accordion will help. But I'm curious if you have a particular strategy.

 

[JerryPH]

When playing a piano accordion on a standard one (41 keys) it's much harder (at least for me) the highest notes. Even scales it's hard to cross over fingers etc. I've heard people say tilting the accordion will help. But I'm curious if you have a particular strategy.

Yes. For one, on PA, we never cross fingers over, the thumb always passes under, it's just anatomically easier. Now, like anything else, once you have good form (I can demo what good form is and a couple of exercises that improve on it), it becomes much easier.

If you have something like limited range of motion or arthritis, there is noy much that can be done on my end, that is where one needs to reach out to their doctor for advice to address the limited mobility, however, good form gets you there a lot farther than if things are not in the proper position/placement.

I'll add that to the list.

 

[Pipemajor]

Methinks, from the number of requests so far, you're not going to be idle in your retirement!

 

[colinm]

When playing a piano accordion on a standard one (41 keys) it's much harder (at least for me) the highest notes. Even scales it's hard to cross over fingers etc. I've heard people say tilting the accordion will help. But I'm curious if you have a particular strategy.

Mtj,
Not wishing to interfere with Jerry,s thread but I have noticed the same problem when playing a chromatic run from low to high notes.
On the low notes the thumb can get under the fingers easily, but to get to the high notes the arm has to pivot about the elbow and that makes it difficult for the thumb to reach under the fingers easily. I can get my thumb under the fingers more easily by twisting the hand towards the low notes end from the wrist, don’t know if you can understand that but it may help you.
I have not tried tilting the accordion.

 

[JerryPH]

Mtj,
Not wishing to interfere with Jerry,s thread but I have noticed the same problem when playing a chromatic run from low to high notes.
On the low notes the thumb can get under the fingers easily, but to get to the high notes the arm has to pivot about the elbow and that makes it difficult for the thumb to reach under the fingers easily. I can get my thumb under the fingers more easily by twisting the hand towards the low notes end from the wrist, don’t know if you can understand that but it may help you.
I have not tried tilting the accordion.

CBA are complete a different world. It can be most beneficial in some cases to angle the wrist down and work from a position that is completely impossible to use on a PA.

On a PA positioning is a lot more challenging and in some cases, if a person has added physical challenges like lack of flexibility in fingers and wrist, toss in bad elbow position and it can downright be painful. I'm not in the camp of tilting the accordion, preferring to instead start off with good form, proper strap positioning and work on finger flexibility... and lots of practice.

You will get a better idea once I make the video.

 

[Accordionna]

"3 2 1 2 3 3 3 ,
2 2 2,
3 5 5,
3 2 1 2 3 3 3,
2 2 3 2 1"

Stays in memory until death us do part.

 

[Alan Sharkis]

"3 2 1 2 3 3 3 ,
2 2 2,
3 5 5,
3 2 1 2 3 3 3,
2 2 3 2 1"

Stays in memory until death us do part.

So, if Mary had a little lamb, what did her obstetrician say?

 

[Ffingers]

So, if Mary had a little lamb, what did her obstetrician say?

...put some Mint Sauce on it, but not too much.

 

[wirralaccordion]

Looking forward to this. For me the most important thing is fingering on the bass buttons and how to choose between 3-2 and 4-3 fingering and whether it is possible to learn the one you haven't "chosen" without "unlearning" the one you have, i..e. basically using both. Bring it on Jerry.