Progress of self-learning CBA after a month

[lispinini]

Hi everyone,
I have started learning to play a C-griff CBA since late September and I just want to share what I have been doing so far. I spent an hour playing my accordion every day, and I didnt really practise any scales or a particular piece. Instead, I found a piece on youtube and then I attempted to play it by ear once. I usually end up playing 4-6 different pieces per day. Somehow there was a day I suddenly realised how to play the scales. I had also subconsciously chosen the fingerings for each of the 3 scales. After a month of playing, I have encountered a few issues. My first biggest issue is that the right thumb seems to have been overused. Secondly, I am not good at articulation.

Here is an example of me playing the first bit of Flambée Montalbanaise by ear:

I still have to work on my rhythm, articulation, left-hand bass and speed etc. And I have started having skype lessons with a teacher from France.

I do not regret learning to play the CBA so far. I still believe the CBA is not a difficult instrument to learn. It is a gift from heaven for musicians (like me) who have small hands.

 

[maugein96]

Hi,

Your previous musical experience on piano has obviously given you a head start. Flambee Montalbanaise would certainly never have come to many peoples' minds as being a beginners' piece. To get that far with melody and right hand chords together in such a short space of time is nothing short of amazing.

Your Skype teacher in France will keep you right with any thumb issues, and you are already confident enough on the bass side to progress pretty quickly.

Only thing I'd say, and it's not criticism, just an observation. You've obviously been listening to players who like to go pretty much up-tempo. If you get a chance, listen to various versions of that same tune, and to how the players interpret it. The bellows are a very important feature in an accordion, and many of us (myself included) often overlook that in the name of playing fast.

Having said that, I don't think it's going to take you long to progress to a very high standard of playing. I've been playing as an amateur for over 30 years and there's no way on this earth I'd post a clip of myself playing any tune at all, as if you're looking to get criticism, then you've come to the right place. Don't be surprised if one or two others tell you the camera angle is wrong, you recorded it on the wrong day, or the sound could be improved by standing on your head for 30 seconds before you start the recording. Only kidding, but we can be a highly critical lot. I might have used just the single flute or bassoon register for the tune concerned, but then I might not be such a good player as you are, even at the stage you are at.

Very well done indeed.

 

[george garside]

Slow down ! think rhythm, dynamics and phrasing, Otherwise all you get is the right notes in the right order playedat a hell of a lick!


But well done for getting the fingering sorted in a short time


george

 

[lispinini]

Thanks Maugein and George. Yes, I did record a slower version of the whole piece. Unfortunately, my phone would not allow me to upload anything videos longer than 30 seconds so I ended up doing this messy presto recording. There are still a lot of things to work on, and I am getting some french books for practising. The learning path is going to be long.

Don't worry Maugein, I do have bad days. I often have to skip the day when my fingers don't feel right. To be honest, I am not too worried about how advanced I can reach as I never want to go professional(I am already a professional in another field) . The accordion is a great instrument to enjoy and have fun. :lol:

 

[jozz]

thanks for sharing :tup:

Do you play anything from sheet already, or are you going to play everything by ear?

I see myself doing this on the side (not in a months time but still). But I fear the day I have to go start playing from sheet. That is what kept me from making the switch from PA to CBA. It would probably mean I have to pause my musical projects entirely for a long time while I learn.

 

[lispinini]

thanks for sharing :tup:

Do you play anything from sheet already, or are you going to play everything by ear?

I see myself doing this on the side (not in a months time but still). But I fear the day I have to go start playing from sheet. That is what kept me from making the switch from PA to CBA. It would probably mean I have to pause my musical projects entirely for a long time while I learn.

Hi Jozz, I mostly play French musette, jazz and classical music. I tend to play everything by ear other than classical music as I only have classical music scores. If you already have a huge repertoire list on the PA, I personally think it is easier to transpose a piece from PA to CBA than learning a new piece from scratch on the CBA. However, there are people who will never play the same piece on both CBA and PA.

I think the CBA can be hard in the first few weeks as it takes time to get used to leaping between different notes. But after getting past that stage, playing octaves or triplets etc on a CBA seems to be much easier than on a PA. Besides, I really like playing on a more compact CBA keyboard as I dont have to bend my wrist as much.

 

[debra]

Good progress in a short period of time!
Here are a few (hopefully helpful) comments:
- Make the right shoulder strap longer and the left one shorter so the accordion moves more towards your left. You should be able to keep your hand and forearm in a straight line while playing, not at a 90 degree angle like you do now. It's just the same as with the piano: little or no angle between arm and hand.
- I have learned to play the basses with 4-3 for major and 4-2 for minor and seventh. You use 3-2 for everything. That is also an existing method, but more suitable for the Belgian bass system than for normal Stradella.
- You are definitely not overusing the right thumb. I do the same. Many CBA players actually underuse the thumb.
- Don't rush it (the tempo): take your time to hit all the right notes and make the sound come out.
- I hear a clicking sound all the time, going along with the beat. It could be caused by having too long fingernails on the left hand. Not sure. The sound could come from something else, but try to avoid it.
Keep it up! You are definitely progressing rapidly!

 

[godgi]

I havent seen any video but f I can help please contact me on a PM.
Godgi

 

[JerryPH]

Only a month? Impressive indeed.

 

[lispinini]

Good progress in a short period of time!
Here are a few (hopefully helpful) comments:
- Make the right shoulder strap longer and the left one shorter so the accordion moves more towards your left. You should be able to keep your hand and forearm in a straight line while playing, not at a 90 degree angle like you do now. Its just the same as with the piano: little or no angle between arm and hand.
- I have learned to play the basses with 4-3 for major and 4-2 for minor and seventh. You use 3-2 for everything. That is also an existing method, but more suitable for the Belgian bass system than for normal Stradella.
- You are definitely not overusing the right thumb. I do the same. Many CBA players actually underuse the thumb.
- Dont rush it (the tempo): take your time to hit all the right notes and make the sound come out.
- I hear a clicking sound all the time, going along with the beat. It could be caused by having too long fingernails on the left hand. Not sure. The sound could come from something else, but try to avoid it.
Keep it up! You are definitely progressing rapidly!

Thank you Paul for your precious advice. I will make the strap longer keep working on my technique. And yes, I didnt cut my fingernails but it was already too late .

Only a month? Impressive indeed.

Thanks Jerry

 

[Bobo]

I quit.