My Accordion, Melodica and suggestions please.

[Rodney]

Not far off my 78th birthday so to protect my back my lovely, but fairly heavy, new Roland FR-8x resides on the top of my desk in the bedroom making it easy to put it on and take it off while in a sitting position. This preamble explains my need for an inexpensive dummy keyboard to work up fingerings etc while sitting in the lounge and the 32 key Stagg Melodica fulfils this need perfectly (the keys are very nearly the same size as on my accordion).

Suggestions for something to function as my lightweight dummy 120 bass button board will be much appreciated.

 

[JKJ]

Hello Rodney. As a beginner, and pushing 74, I’m also using a melodica to practice the right hand on the PA. I have a couple of Suzukis, an M-37c and a Pro-37 and I find as you mention, the keyboard is close to the accordion in key width. Turning it vertically lets this old piano player get the feel of the position and interval spans. (Due to shoulder surgery with an estimated 6-month recovery time, it’s actually the only instrument I can work with at the moment - no way I can lift the accordion or work the bellows! Can’t even play the piano at the moment. ) And the melodica a fun instrument to play as well.

I haven’t thought about a left-hand practice keyboard. You mention “dummy” - are you simply looking for something with buttons sized and spaced to imitate the 120 button layout and feel or are you looking for a bass keyboard that can produce tones?

If you just want the feel without sound, I’d look into salvaging the entire left hand side of a junk accordion, bass machine, springs, buttons, and all - might be quick and easy. This would also have the advantage of keeping the existing adjustable handstrap.

Otherwise, I can imagine how I’d approach building one, based on my experience with making things (and my fairly well-equipped shop). However, that would probably take a LOT more time and effort.

JKJ

 

[Rodney]

Hello JKJ!

Thanks for your interesting response.

Sorry to hear about your shoulder but I hope that the surgery will be beneficial for you. I’ve just had to sell my Buffet Crampon professional ‘Tradition’ Bb clarinet due to jaw issues, which means I cannot maintain sufficient embouchure to form a seal between my mouth and the clarinet mouthpiece, so perhaps I can understand a little of what you are going through. I’m fortunate, in that I played a Baile 120 bass accordion for most of the 1970s and recall some really good times, hence my return.

Actually I was looking for something like a printed card or other durable substance of about the right size to work on fingerings. The idea of a Melodica came from a present we gave our eldest daughter while she was still at school, our youngest daughter opted for a tambourine. It’s only 2-3 weeks since I bought my Roland FR-8X and I learned that as a reward I had a substantial number of loyalty points worth almost £150. Since I have no idea of the inner workings of an accordion, and have to look after my worn arthritic spine carefully, I had dismissed the idea of trying to dismantle a junk accordion to access the piano keyboard and Stradella bass button board. My ‘free’ brand new Melodica has satisfied me in respect of the piano keyboard!

Your idea of using the Stradella button side of a junk accordion is appealing because I only really need the feel of the buttons, they don’t need to actually do anything other than stay in place reliably as my fingers roam about, hopefully in ever decreasing circles! Now I have the idea in my head, I want to explore getting a junk 120 button accordion to explore if the board and buttons can be separated from everything else so that a piece of plywood could be fashioned to hold the buttons firmly in place when fixed as a rear plate.

Best wishes,
Rodney

 

[Dingo40]

Since I have no idea of the inner workings of an accordion, and have to look after my worn arthritic spine carefully, I had dismissed the idea of trying to dismantle a junk accordion

I'm wondering if an "accordion stand" may suit your needs?
See here:

 

[Dingo40]

Another take, by Jerry Nicolato (a serious long time professional accordionist)

(Check out his website, it's worth it!)

 

[JKJ]

Your idea of using the Stradella button side of a junk accordion is appealing because I only really need the feel of the buttons, they don’t need to actually do anything other than stay in place reliably as my fingers roam about,

Thanks for YOUR idea for a left hand practice aid! I might try to make one.

IF (and a big IF) you find a junk accordion with all the buttons still mechanically working (if you can press them down and they reliably come back up), you may be able to simply remove the bellows and then the read blocks from the bass side. If all the buttons are working it might be possible to just close up that side and use the buttons with the bass machine intact.

However, if some of the buttons do NOT move and return as designed there may be some nasty mechanical problem with the bass machine which you might be able to examine and fix. The bass machine is quite complex but from what I’ve seen I thing most of it might be removed and, if needed, springs added to the rods (pistons?) attached to the buttons. In the worst case, one might remove and reuse the button plate plate and perhaps the buttons to make a very compact and lightweight practice keyboard.

On most accordions removing the bellows is simply a matter of pulling out the pins (or in some cases screws) and prying off the bellows. Then you could remove the bass reed blocks.

There are some videos on YouTube with instructions, for example “How to dismantle & repair an accordion” by Ian J Cole.

Remember one thing: I’m a beginner at this, having only watched the accordion tech disassemble and inspect my accordion. (He was fantastic, explaining/teaching everything and letting me help) From my reading I understand that there are many variations in accordions so some details of disassembly may vary.

A far easier thing would be to find an accordion repair/tech person in your area and get them to dismantle a junk accordion, strip away everything not needed, and make a practice device for you.

As for a diagram, I use one. I found several online but in most the size and even the spacing was not right, OK for visual reference but not for finger placement. I ended up sketching my own, just the central section around the F-C-G buttons for now. I can’t use it by feel but can look and position my fingers, then go to the accordion. I suppose for the feel I could make small cardboard cutouts or make short plastic disks and glue them on the diagram. But a dummy with spring-loaded working buttons would be far better, though!

Others here may have better ideas. The accordion stand sounds nice. Even more-so if you have your butler put the accordion on the stand and position it where you need it (then go fetch a cup of coffee!)

A bummer about the clarinet and embouchure problem. I play trumpet/french horn & guitar, played around with cello and violin, and had one quickly aborted attempt at the flute, but never tried woodwinds. One grandson is working on the sax, though! (I did get both grandsons melodicas recently - good fun for all.)

JKJ

 

[Rodney]

Another take, by Jerry Nicolato (a serious long time professional accordionist)

(Check out his website, it's worth it!)

Thanks Dingo,

Thanks for taking the trouble, It’s a great idea! If the stand can be adjusted for sitting as well as for standing as I can only manage a few minutes on my feet before I have to sit or lie down to ensure that any pain is short lived and doesn’t build to a debilitating level. If I do this quickly, after only a few minutes I’m reset and can stand or walk around for another few minutes etc. I’ll definitely investigate.

 

[Dingo40]

It’s a great idea! If the stand can be adjusted for sitting as well as for standin

It absolutely can be used sitting!
You can leave it in place while doing something else and throw a dust cover over it when left overnight or longer!

 

[Rodney]

Thanks JKJ,

You’ve clearly given this a lot of thought and research, I look forward to learning what you decide and how it goes for you.

Did you see Dingo40’s posts above regarding accordion stands? A substantial stand that I could use sitting down might turn out to be the best option for me. My accordion, on its stand could be kept in the lounge and be the best possible practice aid of all!

Rodney

 

[Rodney]

It absolutely can be used sitting!

Fantastic, I must check out the Uk stores to see if they measure up to the one in your second video.

 

[Tom]

Check your stand. The most often seen, Konig Meyers only goes so low. I have to tip the accordion back quite a bit to play sitting. But you may be taller, or have a taller chair.

 

[JKJ]

Did you see Dingo40’s posts above regarding accordion stands?

Yes, looks nice, might be great for aching backs (something I never thought about 1/2 century ago). Be nice to know how stable it is on carpet.

I see prices in the US from $500 to $700.

 

[Rodney]

Check your stand. The most often seen, Konig Meyers only goes so low. I have to tip the accordion back quite a bit to play sitting. But you may be taller, or have a taller chair.

Thanks Tom,

I’ve found the K&M 174 on the Thomann website for the UK priced at £274. Having just paid out nearly £4,900 on my 8X, I’let my bank account recover while checking out the height and also if I’m right that the only support for the bass unit is the left hand of the player. I’m about 5ft 11 now my discs have worn so much.

Rodney

 

[Rodney]

Yes, looks nice, might be great for aching backs (something I never thought about 1/2 century ago). Be nice to know how stable it is on carpet.

I see prices in the US from $500 to $700.

Ouch, that’s a lot! I see Thomann are advertising the K&M 174 for the UK priced at £274.

 

[Tom]

Thanks Tom,

I’ve found the K&M 174 on the Thomann website for the UK priced at £274. Having just paid out nearly £4,900 on my 8X, I’let my bank account recover while checking out the height and also if I’m right that the only support for the bass unit is the left hand of the player. I’m about 5ft 11 now my discs have worn so much.

Rodney

Yeah, pretty steep price on these. True, the right hand (treble) side of the accordion is attached to this stand. You can leave the bottom bellows strap closed, but you still need to support the bass side somewhat. Unless you set your fr8 to play with bellows closed. If you decide to pursue it, I can set mine up and measure. It’s put away now. I used it on one or two gigs but decided I would just sit down when I need to. I’m saving the stand till I am old(er). Good luck!

 

[JeffJetton]

Well it's time for my semi-regular post/rant about how nice it would be if there were an accordionist's version of the bagpiper's "practice chanter". A (relatively) inexpensive, lightweight, form of the instrument, only without the bag/bellows. Useful not just for practicing quietly, but also for beginners who want to test the waters cheaply, and those who find the full get-up to be physically challenging.

I'm thinking it would be digital (because I suspect it's really the bellows that make a digital accordion expensive... they could be made as cheaply as any entry-level, department store keyboard if it were not for that), and if I ever get the time, gumption, and required engineering skills, I'd love to mock one up "one of these days".

 

[John M]

Yeah, pretty steep price on these. True, the right hand (treble) side of the accordion is attached to this stand. You can leave the bottom bellows strap closed, but you still need to support the bass side somewhat. Unless you set your fr8 to play with bellows closed. If you decide to pursue it, I can set mine up and measure. It’s put away now. I used it on one or two gigs but decided I would just sit down when I need to. I’m saving the stand till I am old(er). Good luck!

There may be a problem with the 8X because there are no bellows strap/locks, I think the bellows would gradually creep sag down from the left side Bass weight.

 

[Tom]

There may be a problem with the 8X because there are no bellows strap/locks, I think the bellows would gradually creep sag down from the left side Bass weight.

Good point John.

 

[Rodney]

Check your stand. The most often seen, Konig Meyers only goes so low. I have to tip the accordion back quite a bit to play sitting. But you may be taller, or have a taller chair.

I’ve found the current specs for the K&M 174; the base support height can be from 380 to 585 mm (14.96 to 23.03 in) while the dining chair height is 18 inches, so as Dingo40 commented, it seems like I may be able to play when seated. However, I’ll recheck when I place my orider.

 

[Rodney]

Good point John.

I wondered about that and will have a couple of nice strong, yet padded, redundant shoulder straps to deploy should it be necessary.