I play a BC accordion & its been bothering my back. (Although I don't think the accordion is what started my back troubles, my back does bother me when I play it). I was looking into buying an accordion stand to hopefully solve that problem.
Has anyone used a stand with a small accordion & had success? Can you recommend one?
I've seen them used with the Piano Box all right or the Continental Chromatic where the bellows just goes in and out. Can't see them working with a diatonic instrument however. I play a Shand Marino three row 120 bass quite a lot and I also suffer from a bad back. Yet I find that when I've managed to pick the instrument up and positioned on my lap my two straps give me the support needed. I do like to have a good back rest on the seat of course. Can I assume that you use two straps?
@Mix, Thanks for the link. Unfortunately, that one looks like its for a piano accordion.
@Free Reed, I have two straps, but they're not long enough to reach my lap when I'm sitting, so I end up playing with just one strap (actually, its the two straps strapped together).
One strap v. two strap is an important consideration. Two heavy duty padded straps really make a difference, also helps with stability. Check over at http://melodeon.net for a pretty long discussion of this topic. I think a member even devised his own "improved" two-strap solution from existing straps for use with heavy boxes.
use two straps and a backstrap (a short strap which links the left and right straps across the lower back) - this latter puts a lot of the load from the instrument's weight into the small of your back, pushing it forward and greatly improving posture. In addition it helps stabilise the bottom end of the keyboard by keeping both straps tight.
The second (left) shoulder strap reduces the amount of work your right thumb has to do holding the keyboard steady against the bellows when playing on the press.
set the right shoulder strap long and the left shoulder strap short - this puts the keys over or to the left of the midline of you body, allowing your right forearm, hand and fingers to be in a straight line, minimising stress on your tendons and making the buttons nearest your chin as easy to play as all the rest.
it works fine for me, but it takes a while to get yoked up compared to single strap. Expect lots of bondage jokes
I completely agree with millionyears. When my back bothers me, I use a back strap. But i also took a course with a physiotherapist as to how to play box without hûrting the back... it's something to do with relaxing the shoulders (even if it's the low part of the back that's hurting) whilst playing. the physio told me to change body position when playing, specially when I was playing a long time on (I sometimes play for dancing for 3 hours...)
hope that helps
The back problem may lie else where. If I sit and balance the instrument, I am not bearing the weight yet I still have back agony. My shoulders and arms and lower back.
I wonder if the muscles that take the strain and transfer it to your back are not the shoulder muscles and those that hold your right arm up and compress the bellows in left.
In simple terms it probably not necessary to support the instrument on a stand. Use your leg. But its your arms that need support.
Compare that with the well know computer mouse problem. Your arm suspended over the keyboard for 8 hours is the same as playing the right hand on the accordion for an hour.
Accordion Stands
Accordion Stands
I play a BC accordion & its been bothering my back. (Although I don't think the accordion is what started my back troubles, my back does bother me when I play it). I was looking into buying an accordion stand to hopefully solve that problem.
Has anyone used a stand with a small accordion & had success? Can you recommend one?
Thanks!
# Posted on November 16th 2009 by Captain Pete
Re: Accordion Stands
Well there's one available from here, Capt. P !
http://www.accordions.co.uk/Accessories.htm
The trouble is, with an advertised weight of 10 kilos, you might perhaps hurt your back carrying it to a session ...
... and priced at a cool £180, it might well hurt your pocket, too
# Posted on November 16th 2009 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: Accordion Stands
I've seen them used with the Piano Box all right or the Continental Chromatic where the bellows just goes in and out. Can't see them working with a diatonic instrument however. I play a Shand Marino three row 120 bass quite a lot and I also suffer from a bad back. Yet I find that when I've managed to pick the instrument up and positioned on my lap my two straps give me the support needed. I do like to have a good back rest on the seat of course. Can I assume that you use two straps?
# Posted on November 16th 2009 by Free Reed
Re: Accordion Stands
@Mix, Thanks for the link. Unfortunately, that one looks like its for a piano accordion.
@Free Reed, I have two straps, but they're not long enough to reach my lap when I'm sitting, so I end up playing with just one strap (actually, its the two straps strapped together).
# Posted on November 16th 2009 by Captain Pete
Re: Accordion Stands
One strap v. two strap is an important consideration. Two heavy duty padded straps really make a difference, also helps with stability. Check over at http://melodeon.net for a pretty long discussion of this topic. I think a member even devised his own "improved" two-strap solution from existing straps for use with heavy boxes.
# Posted on November 17th 2009 by gravelwalks
Re: Accordion Stands
use two straps and a backstrap (a short strap which links the left and right straps across the lower back) - this latter puts a lot of the load from the instrument's weight into the small of your back, pushing it forward and greatly improving posture. In addition it helps stabilise the bottom end of the keyboard by keeping both straps tight.
The second (left) shoulder strap reduces the amount of work your right thumb has to do holding the keyboard steady against the bellows when playing on the press.
set the right shoulder strap long and the left shoulder strap short - this puts the keys over or to the left of the midline of you body, allowing your right forearm, hand and fingers to be in a straight line, minimising stress on your tendons and making the buttons nearest your chin as easy to play as all the rest.
it works fine for me, but it takes a while to get yoked up compared to single strap. Expect lots of bondage jokes
good luck
# Posted on November 17th 2009 by millionyears_bc
Re: Accordion Stands
I completely agree with millionyears. When my back bothers me, I use a back strap. But i also took a course with a physiotherapist as to how to play box without hûrting the back... it's something to do with relaxing the shoulders (even if it's the low part of the back that's hurting) whilst playing. the physio told me to change body position when playing, specially when I was playing a long time on (I sometimes play for dancing for 3 hours...)
hope that helps
# Posted on November 17th 2009 by Nikita Pfister
Re: Accordion Stands
I had an accordion stand for a while and couldn't get on with it at all. It was also really cumbersome and heavy.
# Posted on November 17th 2009 by Fiddlebabe
Re: Accordion Stands
Lock the bellows up and set it on the lap of the nearest bodhran player.
But to answer your question, yes a back strap would greatly improve the issue. I've seen box players use rope as a back strap. Whateverworks
# Posted on November 17th 2009 by Lint - upon - Tweed
Re: Accordion Stands
Thanks for the replies. Sounds like what I need is a better set of straps!
# Posted on November 18th 2009 by Captain Pete
new paolo soprani "Classic"
looking for information on the new Paolo Soprani "Classic". Has anyone out there tried them and what did you think???
# Posted on April 12th 2010 by dr squeese
Re: Accordion Stands
The back problem may lie else where. If I sit and balance the instrument, I am not bearing the weight yet I still have back agony. My shoulders and arms and lower back.
I wonder if the muscles that take the strain and transfer it to your back are not the shoulder muscles and those that hold your right arm up and compress the bellows in left.
In simple terms it probably not necessary to support the instrument on a stand. Use your leg. But its your arms that need support.
Compare that with the well know computer mouse problem. Your arm suspended over the keyboard for 8 hours is the same as playing the right hand on the accordion for an hour.
# Posted on February 2nd 2011 by stevemileman