View Full Version : Accordion
LazySaxman
11-19-2005, 04:36 AM
Not sure what the accordion is classified as. Does it count as a woodwind? I know it was metal reeds... anyways, anyone know how I could get a REAL CHEAP accordion? Something is deeply wrong with me that makes me want to learn to play it. I can just imagine bringing it to band, yelling accordion solo, and just starting to play.
Wait a minute Dude! You live in FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA, and you're asking US?!
Polkaland.
Actually (Polka bands aside in the US) as you could guess the accordion doesn't have the stigma here that it does there, and I've heard some wonderful music with the accordion and bandeon in all sorts of musical styles. It's all in who's hands it sits.
Anybody remember Art van Damme?
Gandalfe
11-19-2005, 05:29 PM
I've always considered the accordion a part of the rhythm section just like a piano. I have a friend who plays and plays quite well. He is even, believe it or not, a part of a accordion choir.
LazySaxman
11-19-2005, 06:12 PM
Wait a minute Dude! You live in FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA, and you're asking US?!
Polkaland.
Actually (Polka bands aside in the US) as you could guess the accordion doesn't have the stigma here that it does there, and I've heard some wonderful music with the accordion and bandeon in all sorts of musical styles. It's all in who's hands it sits.
Anybody remember Art van Damm?
-,- ya, my grandparents listen to quite a lot of polka, mebbe that's where this is coming from, idk. And since there's only 1 guy in town that even deals accordions (out of his apartment :shock: ) he has quite pricey pro ones.
retread
11-19-2005, 06:25 PM
An accordian player stopped for a drink on his way home from a gig. Just as he entered the bar he remembered his accordian was in plain view in the back seat and he had forgotten to lock the car. He spun around, ran back to his car, but he was two late. Someone had left two more accordians on the back seat.
By the way, my wife is from a small community of German farmers out on the North Kansas prairie. We attended a wedding reception with a one-man band as the live entertainment. He played bass drum, cymbal, accordion, harmonica and probably other instruments I've forgotten. He was great! Chorus after chorus of "In Heaven there is No Beer." Not to mention "Aus, Aus, Aus."
Well, it doesn't take long on this forum to find something to laugh about, does it? LOL.
...there's only 1 guy in town that even deals accordions (out of his apartment...)So ashamed, so ashamed. I understand he started out selling them out of the back of a slow-moving van.
He spun around, ran back to his car, but he was two late. Someone had left two more accordians on the back seat.."
Chorus after chorus of "In Heaven there is No Beer." Not to mention Aus, Aus."
No Chicken Dance?) 8-)
BTW, if you don't know the music of Richard Galliano, check him out. Also if I could plug a friend of mine, Alexandra Maas and her group "French Touch".
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/DrJazz_/alex.jpg
Not real jazz, but definitely real music. http://www.french-touch.de/
For some serious section use of accordian (Vic Centro) as a part of the Phil Nimmons group at CBC Toronto in the 50's and 60's, check out the re-released CDs of Nimmons' "The Canadian Scene" and "Nimmons & Nine". Phil, in addition to being a superb musician and not appreciated in the US as he should be, is a first class gentleman and an educator of exzemplary merit. I've known him since @ 1958 - first rate in all respects.
And for some not so serious polka, listen to Jim Self's "My America" cd with a hilarious swing juxtaposition of PA 6-5000 and the PA Polka. Gary Foster is also on that cd.
legato
11-19-2005, 07:15 PM
The accordion is good for informal situations. I was stationed in Germany when I was in the Army. On the weekend I took the train to Frankfurt. Sometimes a German would pull out an accordion and start a wild singing party right on the train. This was well lubricated with beer of course. Now, a saxophone would have amplified the effect.
Brian
LazySaxman
11-19-2005, 08:27 PM
Just curious, if I learned the accordion, could I also play piano? Not serious piano, but enough so I could play chords and stuff? I know the accordion has preset chords usually...
bubblegirlsax
12-24-2005, 01:06 PM
I've seen some concertinas that are quite nice. They are similar to the accordian, but lighter and simpler to learn. Maybe you could start with that.
On amazon is quite a range of both to give you an idea of price range.
Playing chords on piano is quite simple. If you know how chords are structured, ie, C = CEG, Cminor= C, Eb, G, you can learn
To play a C chord, you press C with the left hand, then CEG with the other. Do this and have your hands take turn. You can learn from there.
:)
fballatore
12-24-2005, 01:15 PM
Anybody remember Art van Damm?
I love Art van Damm - he's a great actor!
http://malestars.codserver.com/cnt/jean-claude_van_damme/photos/4.jpg
I love Art van Damm - he's a great actor!Same guy!
But, er, a lifetime of gigging can take it's toll. :D
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/DrJazz_/IMAG009.jpg
bubblegirlsax
12-27-2005, 10:47 AM
Gary,
Your accordian looks huge. How heavy is it? I was looking at a concertina, but chickened out at the thought of different notes being different sides, and differing on if the bellows are pushed in or pulled out. It seems like an easy instrument, but yikes! Playing accordian is a real skill.
S.
Gary, Your accordian looks huge. How heavy is it?Season...that ain't me! That's Art van Damme ;)
I am a little well-worn from my misspent youth but, well, I'm the guy with the sax in my avatar next to my name.
bubblegirlsax
12-27-2005, 11:13 AM
Season...that ain't me! That's Art van Damme ;)
I am a little well-worn from my misspent youth but, well, I'm the guy with the sax in my avatar next to my name.
Has my inexperience with accordian music been exposed? :D
Even so, anyone who can play a stringed instrument or bellow-based instrument has my respect.
Daktion
12-27-2005, 11:21 AM
LIES ... don't believe him bubblegirl. Look at the angle of the slant of his shoulders ... it gave him away! That's just Gary and his second identity. Saxophonist/composer by day... and super hip Jazz accordionist at night. :argue3:
bubblegirlsax
12-27-2005, 11:23 AM
LIES ... don't believe him bubblegirl. Look at the angle of the slant of his shoulders and build ... it gave him away! That's just Gary and his second personality. Saxophonist/composer by day... and super hip Jazz accordionist at night. :argue3:
Either way, I want to hear something Nirvana on the accordian :)
LIES ... don't believe him bubblegirl. Look at the angle of the slant of his shoulders ... it gave him away! That's just Gary and his second identity. Saxophonist/composer by day... and super hip Jazz accordionist at night. :argue3:
ROTFLMAO!!!!!
Oh man, Daktion, excellent! Sweeeeeeet. (I hate you.)
Myron Floren taught me everything I know. :glasses7:
Sassaphone
12-27-2005, 06:36 PM
Man, I used to hate accordian until I heard Sivuca the Brazilian play. I wish I could post a sound clip.
For some really serious 'cordene, listen to Guy Klusevic, whom I first encountered at IUP in the early 60's. He was a monster then as well.
ElNorteno
07-09-2008, 11:17 PM
I know it's a little late to be comenting on such and old topic.
Buy I play Musica Nortena or Conjunto Music. In this type of music we use one a accordion that doubles with the alto sax. Usually we play the same note to create a harmony or the accordon will double by playing three semitones below the alto sax.
There is also a great music genre called Chicke Scratch and It is played by Native American musicians here in the states. One of the Native Nations I know about are the Od'ham(forgive my spelling on this). This music also doubles the accordion and saxophone along with other Instruments. These bands play alot of cumbias.
Norteno/Conjunto Music
http://youtube.com/watch?v=WIZEHNCJHuM
Chiken Scratch
http://youtube.com/watch?v=kR3sptGt3w8
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