Looking for more interesting beginner's songs!

[horsehorsehorse]

I have just started learning, and am working my way through Palmer Hughes book 1. I'm enjoying it so far, and am nearly at the end. I would love to find some less childish songs at this level to work on before moving on to book 2 though, if there are any recommendations!

 

[dak]

Well, Xmas carols for accordion tend to be set comparatively simple, and if you get a booklet now you might be in time for the season.

 

[Tom]

Not sure what you’re looking for.

Here’s a bunch from Dale Mathis. Lots of old time, but not all:

Dale's Sheet Music

Dale's Sheet Music

www.dalemathisaccordion.com

Same with Shelia Lee:

Accordion Blog Song Directory

Directory of Songs on the Accordion Blog You have asked for it – A Directory Link to ALL THE SONGS – ALSO the links might be tied to a lesson or an exercise or a collection! AND &#8211…

shelialee.wordpress.com

Then there’s Don Quattrocchi:

Sheet Music - Accordion Sheet Music by Don Quattrocchi

Free piano accordion sheet music arranged by Don Quattrocchi from Melbourne Australia

www.donquattrocchi.com

These are kind of the “old standby” accordion music troves. They range in difficulty from easy to hard, and are “accordion repertoire” related. Hopefully you will find what you need. You can also check non accordion sites such as “musescore”.

If you’re really looking for really easy stuff, check out music for music teachers:

Beginner Piano Music for Kids -- Printable Free Sheet Music

Beginner piano music, free! Build your music library quickly & cheaply by supplementing with free printable music of all genres! Add some spice to your students' music diet without breaking the bank.

www.music-for-music-teachers.com

Good luck to you!!!!!!

 

[JKJ]

I have just started learning, and am working my way through Palmer Hughes book 1. I'm enjoying it so far, and am nearly at the end. I would love to find some less childish songs at this level to work on before moving on to book 2 though, if there are any recommendations!

Hello horse etc. (BTW I have three horses here as well as llamas, alpacas, and more.)

I’m also a beginner at accordion. Since I’ve played piano for decades and other instruments some of it is easy for me (reading music, chords and keys, etc) and some (i.e. the stradella bass) tries its best to hurt me! I went through a couple of the Palmer books before switching to The Mighty Accordion vol 1 book to try to ramp up on the bass. I also looked around for some more challenging/interesting but still relatively easy music, downloading and printing some sheet music.

You may like the book “First 50 Songs You Should Play on the Accordion” by Gary Meisner which has a wide variety of fairly easy songs:

Amazon.com

It’s certainly cheap enough.

From the book description ”If you're new to the accordion, you are probably eager to learn some songs. This book provides simplified arrangements of popular standards, folk, etc.” I tried some and I think the book is worth it for the adult beginner. One thing is nice - the arrangements include the words of the song where appropriate which might help with the tune and rhythm, especially for familiar pieces. They print the chord names above the staff which might simplify playing the bass while sight reading.

There is also the set if Palmer-Hughes recital books which might be worth a look.

My own accordion adventure has a temporary setback due to a left shoulder injury and surgery, but I’ll be back to practicing as soon as possible! I refuse to let Sir Stradella intimidate me!

JKJ

 

[Rosie C]

I have just started learning, and am working my way through Palmer Hughes book 1. I'm enjoying it so far, and am nearly at the end. I would love to find some less childish songs at this level to work on before moving on to book 2 though, if there are any recommendations!

I found this book good - plenty of well-known folk tunes -
"The Piano Accordion: Absolute Beginners Paperback by Karen Tweed & Dave Mallinson"
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1899512799/

 

[JerryPH]

Google for Sheila Lee's blog, tons of free music there. It's too bad that the author has passed on, but her site is still there!

 

[JeffJetton]

I understand the urge to tackle new stuff. But if you're not quite through with PH 1 yet, you're missing a few key skills that all of the above suggestions are going to require of you. Namely:

• Playing eighth notes and dotted quarter notes against left hand patterns
• Minor chords and 7th chords
• Alternating basses
• Notes in new keys and in higher positions on the staff

So my first recommendation would be to try to plow on through Book One and, when you're done, just move right on to Book Two.

Book Two actually starts out with a couple of "review" tunes at the same level as Book One, and then (in the well-paced style PH is known for) very gradually introduces the above topics. So it's not much of a leap at all, and you should be perfectly fine without any supplemental material.

That said, PH does have extra material at the Book One level, although it's not always easy to find/get:

Palmer Hughes "Recital Book" Book One -- Similar songs to those found in the main method book, only a bit longer. That is, suitable for a recital. Each piece in the book indicates the song in the main book that you should be able to play to before tackling that one. If you go here and click on the preview PDF, you'll get half of one of the pieces to try out for free! (There are also recital books for the next couple of main method books, and they're worth getting too, IMHO.)

Palmer Hughes Books 1A and 1B -- Back in the day, in addition to the regular series of method books, they made sort of a "extended edition" version of the first few books, that takes things at a more, um, leisurely pace. If you look on the back of Book One, at the bottom, there's an advertisement/explanation of how those A/B books work. Every piece that's in the regular Book One is also found in either 1A or 1B, but there are also a lot of extra pieces included at the appropriate level. Not sure if they're still being published--you might have to hit eBay, etc.

Once you finish Book Two, you'll be well-equipped to branch out to supplemental beginner-to-early-intermediate material.

 

[Tom]

PS, you are new to the accordion. Maybe try playing a tune “by heart”? Pick something easy like “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” See if you can find it on your accordion. Many people get hooked into sheet music and never learn to play without it, myself included. You are at the beginning where you can do it…. Good luck!!!!!

 

[John M]

There are some easier Xmas Carols in Sedlon's Christmas book. Here's the Amazon link:

https://www.amazon.com/Sedlons-Christmas-Carols-Accordion-Sedlon/dp/B0041NDU54

 

[JKJ]

PS, you are new to the accordion. Maybe try playing a tune “by heart”? Pick something easy like “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” See if you can find it on your accordion. Many people get hooked into sheet music and never learn to play without it

Tom, I think you hit the nail on the head - to break up ”serious” practice sessions that’s my favorite way to play for simple enjoyment. I suggest picking out and practicing one short phrase at a time, playing slowly and getting those right before adding the next.

That’s the way I start kids too, in fact had two grandsons playing the Mary’s Lamb song on melodicas just yesterday. (at times we had three melodicas going at once - great fun! - and neither had seen or even heard of a melodica till then) For a beginner who doesn‘t yet know how to read music, learning to play even a simple song can be a huge confidence builder and make them want to do more.



I think this method can encourage improvising too. Some of my most enjoyable time at the piano is to think of a song then try to play it without written music - old hymns are my favorites. Once I get the melody and basic chord sequence, I add some interesting bass lines and experiment with improvising the right hand. Then sometimes I force myself to play it in a different key so I don’t get stuck in a rut. Then try playing with my eyes closed - a lot easier for me than changing keys!

As a beginner on the accordion I did the same thing with several songs, such as the TN Waltz, O Danny Boy, Amazing grace, but with a very simple left hand bass - that stradella layout seriously tries to smack me down! By experimenting I’ve somehow accidentally learned to add in a few counter bass notes between chord changes.

JKJ

 

[JeffJetton]

PS, you are new to the accordion. Maybe try playing a tune “by heart”? Pick something easy like “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” See if you can find it on your accordion. Many people get hooked into sheet music and never learn to play without it, myself included. You are at the beginning where you can do it…. Good luck!!!!!

Excellent advice, Tom!

• Mary Had a Little Lamb
• Ode to Joy
• Happy Birthday
• Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (this is, famously, what the Suzuki Method uses as the basis of their early ear-based learning)
• Really any simple melody you know well enough to be able to tell if someone is singing it wrong.

 

[OuijaBoard]

An Irish accordion tunebook's polka section and its jig section might be just the thing. Also dance tunes called "slides" and "slip jigs." Polkas, slides, and slip jigs come from the Sliabh Luachra region of Ireland's West, and while melodically simple, they are a world of fun and there is a knack to swinging and syncopating them. Many beginners on fiddle as well as box start with polkas, slides, and slip jigs. But you want a collection that has audio as well, so that you can get a feel for the lilt of the way the tunes are syncopated and "move." The notes are very simple, but not everyone can "lift the dancers." This example is concertina, but you get the idea.



Here is a book that has audio--you want the polkas, slides, and slip jigs.

https://www.amazon.com/100-Irish-Tunes-Piano-Accordion/dp/0786692332/ref=sr_1_13?crid=1HQUO6QEVI54F&keywords=international+accordion&qid=1700618346&sprefix=international+accordion%2Caps%2C130&sr=8-13

But really, I would urge that JeffJetton's input is wise. Try to tough it out until you get a ways into P-H Book 3. At that point you will have the tools to enjoy a lot of of the delightful supplementary music that is available out there.

 

[JerryPH]

I have just started learning, and am working my way through Palmer Hughes book 1. I'm enjoying it so far, and am nearly at the end. I would love to find some less childish songs at this level to work on before moving on to book 2 though, if there are any recommendations!

If you do a search, you will find a lot of threads with suggestions to go through for example:

Hello, where do I get the best sheet music for accordion ( stradella ) ?

Hello, where do I get the best sheet music for accordion ( stradella ) ?

www.accordionists.info

A lot of what others like may not be what you like, so a little digging on your end will find you a lot of songs that you will enjoy.

 

[JKJ]

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

That’s a good one! No wonder it’s used so much. It’s also the tune of the “alphabet song” and others, such as “Baa baa black sheep”. I read the tune may have been first published in the 1700’s as the french song “Ah vous dirai-je, Maman” (and probably existed long before that). Mozart even wrote a piece with variations:




Isn’t music so much fun! There are untold millions who absorb music but i grieve for those who don’t make/play music or never even sing, hum or whistle, and those who could but simply have no interest.

JKJ

 

[kimric]

I understand the urge to tackle new stuff. But if you're not quite through with PH 1 yet, you're missing a few key skills that all of the above suggestions are going to require of you. Namely:

• Playing eighth notes and dotted quarter notes against left hand patterns
• Minor chords and 7th chords
• Alternating basses
• Notes in new keys and in higher positions on the staff

So my first recommendation would be to try to plow on through Book One and, when you're done, just move right on to Book Two.

Book Two actually starts out with a couple of "review" tunes at the same level as Book One, and then (in the well-paced style PH is known for) very gradually introduces the above topics. So it's not much of a leap at all, and you should be perfectly fine without any supplemental material.

That said, PH does have extra material at the Book One level, although it's not always easy to find/get:

Palmer Hughes "Recital Book" Book One -- Similar songs to those found in the main method book, only a bit longer. That is, suitable for a recital. Each piece in the book indicates the song in the main book that you should be able to play to before tackling that one. If you go here and click on the preview PDF, you'll get half of one of the pieces to try out for free! (There are also recital books for the next couple of main method books, and they're worth getting too, IMHO.)

Palmer Hughes Books 1A and 1B -- Back in the day, in addition to the regular series of method books, they made sort of a "extended edition" version of the first few books, that takes things at a more, um, leisurely pace. If you look on the back of Book One, at the bottom, there's an advertisement/explanation of how those A/B books work. Every piece that's in the regular Book One is also found in either 1A or 1B, but there are also a lot of extra pieces included at the appropriate level. Not sure if they're still being published--you might have to hit eBay, etc.

Once you finish Book Two, you'll be well-equipped to branch out to supplemental beginner-to-early-intermediate material.

I think I have some of those 1A and 1B books

 

[RowanSumner]

I'm very new to the instrument and am just finding my feet, but here's my 2 cents anyway. I found the PH very boring and the songs actually slightly irritating to play, so I recently started with the Anzaghi book and have found it really enjoyable. You quickly start using alternate basses, minor and seventh chords on the left hand, and playing songs in minor modes hitting sharps and flats with the right hand. Every song has a few pages of exercises to prepare you for it. My copy is very old and the translation explaining theory is slightly deranged. I think it would require some prior understanding of theory (or someone to guide you).

 

[cestjeffici]

The Anzaghi book is available in Spanish on Kindle Unlimited, looks interesting.

 

[Newbie]

I understand the urge to tackle new stuff. But if you're not quite through with PH 1 yet, you're missing a few key skills that all of the above suggestions are going to require of you. Namely:

• Playing eighth notes and dotted quarter notes against left hand patterns
• Minor chords and 7th chords
• Alternating basses
• Notes in new keys and in higher positions on the staff

So my first recommendation would be to try to plow on through Book One and, when you're done, just move right on to Book Two.

Book Two actually starts out with a couple of "review" tunes at the same level as Book One, and then (in the well-paced style PH is known for) very gradually introduces the above topics. So it's not much of a leap at all, and you should be perfectly fine without any supplemental material.

That said, PH does have extra material at the Book One level, although it's not always easy to find/get:

Palmer Hughes "Recital Book" Book One -- Similar songs to those found in the main method book, only a bit longer. That is, suitable for a recital. Each piece in the book indicates the song in the main book that you should be able to play to before tackling that one. If you go here and click on the preview PDF, you'll get half of one of the pieces to try out for free! (There are also recital books for the next couple of main method books, and they're worth getting too, IMHO.)

Palmer Hughes Books 1A and 1B -- Back in the day, in addition to the regular series of method books, they made sort of a "extended edition" version of the first few books, that takes things at a more, um, leisurely pace. If you look on the back of Book One, at the bottom, there's an advertisement/explanation of how those A/B books work. Every piece that's in the regular Book One is also found in either 1A or 1B, but there are also a lot of extra pieces included at the appropriate level. Not sure if they're still being published--you might have to hit eBay, etc.

Once you finish Book Two, you'll be well-equipped to branch out to supplemental beginner-to-early-intermediate material.

Thanks for the reminder about the Recital book. I had that book and recall most of the tunes. I would like some of the Sedlon books but they are much harder to find, except for 1a & 1b. I am starting book 2 PH and it starts getting into more advanced practice and playing. I did go to Yuri Char's youtube site and he has a video where he plays through all the songs and exercises in PH book 2.

 

[Tom]

Thanks for the reminder about the Recital book. I had that book and recall most of the tunes. I would like some of the Sedlon books but they are much harder to find, except for 1a & 1b. I am starting book 2 PH and it starts getting into more advanced practice and playing. I did go to Yuri Char's youtube site and he has a video where he plays through all the songs and exercises in PH book 2.

Hi Newbie,

I could be wrong but I think the 94 lessons in the Duane Schnur series are from the Sedlon books. If you can’t find hard copies, these may help you. Not only that but it’s an interesting, if dated, series. Good luck with your journey!

Accordion Page

 

[Javthedog]

Try https://www.donquattrocchi.com/sheetmusic ........ got lots of tunes going from accessible to real beginners through to more challenging.