New To Accordions; Beginner Question

[Cheburashka]

Hi there,

Before I make an Introduction, I want to be sure that I am going to "stick with this ol' accordion" or retire it.

I come from a Slavic family so that means I'm familiar with accordion music. As long as I have been a child, there has been an accordion in the family. Sadly, no body wanted to take over the last accordion in the family and now, here I am, stuck with it.

It's an Excelsior Accordiana Model 306; so with those specs you'll know it is a 120 button piano accordion. I am a small framed lady who is a beginner at playing. Is this too much accordion for me to handle? I feel as though it covers my whole upper body when I sit down. I can manage it but I do better with it standing up. As well, it definitely needs a new strap. It still sounds good though!

My family really want me to play it to keep that one "handed down" accordion going. No one has the time or the interest yet they want it to stay in the family. If I develop as a player, will I feel more comfortable with it? Or, does size + body frame really matter?

Thanks, friends!

 

[lightninboy]

It obviously depends on how much you want to play the accordion. Do you insist on playing the family accordion? Do you insist on playing accordion but only a smaller, more comfortable accordion?

 

[donn]

You may be able to find another recent thread here, a discussion of the importance of a stool or at least some way to get the seat height right, when playing sitting down. Usually it's a little higher than an ordinary chair - maybe not much higher, for you, but that little bit may help a lot.

I bet it does sound good. Give it a go. It almost sounds like you're hoping we'll tell you this accordion is out of the question for you, and then you can excuse yourself from the position your relatives drafted you into, but I don't think it's impossible at all. Your relative who played it before you wasn't any giant either, I'm guessing? Or we can dig up videos of pint size kids playing big accordions as if it were nothing.

If it starts to feel really uncomfortable, don't persist, find a way to make it comfortable. A teacher could be quite helpful here, even a one-time-only half hour session.

 

[dunlustin]

Go for it! You'll never regret it.
Maybe an easier way in would be a smaller instrument (and don't stand up) to begin with.
Not too expensive.
Stand The Big One in a corner and tell it you'll be back each time you go by.

 

[TomBR]

A helpful article here, useful paragraph about Fit
http://www.petosa.com/info/great-myth-uncovered.html

Nearly everyone is surprised at first by the weight of accordions.
A little and often is a good way, even if you just pick it up and play for five minutes.

 

[Soulsaver]

I agree with Tom, give it a try and I hope you can feel comfortable with it; but if not & you want to learn to play, my advice would be start off with something smaller that you feel comfortable with. It's hard enough to learn without the reason being just to stick with one accordion that is uncomfortable....

 

[JIM D.]

Hi Cheburashka: First of all Welcome. I can appreciate your concern's with attempting a future with the accordion as an instrument. It sounds to me you already have a head start by having a family that will encourage you in your endeavor and being the owner of one of the finest ever made student model accordions. That 18" 2/4 reed Accordiana is on my list of accordions for a lady of a small stature. It looks to me your off to a great start.

 

[acordiansam]

Also welcome. Even if you don't stick with the accordion the music you learn is transferable. To me the only outher isnterment is paino or organ. What you learn is everything. Bass, treble, cords and how it all fits togeather. Nothing will be wasted time. Just play!

 

[Cheburashka]

Thank you everyone for your replies and thoughts. As well, thanks for the very interesting link.

If little children can handle huge accordions, I don't really have an excuse, do I? I'll have to Google those videos for a pep talk. The top of the keyboard is just a little above my collarbone but I think a proper stool might help that problem. There are times I feel comfortable with it and other times I question it's size.

In all honesty, I do hope to learn the accordion as a hobby besides having been deemed the caretaker of the family accordion. It is important for me to play it as it has much family history but as well, just the fact of being able to enjoy knowing how to play it is a goal.

Thanks again!

 

[BrandyD]

Welcome!

I too play a full sized accordion and I'm a small lady, 5'2". I started playing when I was 10 years old on a full sized accordion - I would never think to downsize. I always sit and play because of my size and the size of the accordion. Please look at some of the players online and see how they are holding their large accordions while sitting. The bottom of my keyboard and pointed between my legs and the bellows above my left leg - a slight angle.

Good luck with learning, it is one of the most fun instruments to play. Do you have any music background, play any other instruments>

Welcome.

Brandy

 

[Cheburashka]

Hi BrandyD, thanks very much for your reply!

No, I do not play any instruments. I've always loved music but never ventured into learning. I regret it but no time like the present to learn.

You are just a little bit taller than I (by one inch!) so your post was really helpful. Now that I know someone relatively the same size can handle a full sized accordion, I feel so much at ease.. and excited to play! Thank you!