I'm an accordion (with a keyboard) player and i've recently bought a black dot / double ray, nearly new. The decision to get a B/C over a D/G was a good one, even if it was hard at the time.
I got this box a couple of days ago and since then I've not touched my other accordion or a piano for fear of 'corrupting' my early progress on my new box. I think it's paid off... But.
This morning playing a bit at the piano, it sounded very dull. The high frequencies have just gone. My last two days' playing have either desensitized my upper range of hearing or have damaged it more seriously... we can only wait and see. I'm 20 and have always taken great care with (and pride over) my hearing.
Do other people have problems with the volume of their squeezeboxes? Obviously with time I'll get more skill at playing accurately at lower volume (and i'll not be welcome at any sessions until I do!), but does anyone have any recommendations tips or similar experiences? Is this something peculiar to my model?
At the moment I'm playing with cotton wool in my ears. Hardly dignified!
I have talked to people who have given up fiddle because they are going deaf in one ear, but it happens over years. Your higher frequencies will probably come back. I'm always surprised how much I have to turn the radio down in the morning because the sounds are all louder after a quiet night.
Take it as a warning and be careful longer term though. You can mute most squeezeboxes by puting a scarf between the reeds and the soundholes when you practise. That might help a bit. My partner has a Lily D/G. He muted it about a year ago because the high pitch irritates him - and forgot he'd done it, so it has stayed muted.
If it has happened as quickly as you say I'd first have your ears checked out by a medic to make sure the problem isn't a build-up of natural secretions (wax) or other gunge which, perhaps coincidentally with your playing of your new box, has come into contact with the ear-drum. If this is the reason for the problem then the treatment is usually straightforward and quick.
Also, have you recently been exposed to very loud noise from other sources? This can cause a measure of hearing loss, which usually recovers.
There are ways of lowering the volume-most notably, you can reduce the tremolo and dry the sound, which will make an accordion much quieter and a measure less obnoxious. The guys at Irish Dancemaster accordions down in Florida will reduce your tremolo for you if you want them to.
When I play the fiddle, I always plug my left ear with a little wad of tissue – not enough to deafen it, but enough to tone down the high frequencies.
[Switch on preachy mode]
Protect your hearing! Even when you seem to recover from a temporary hearing loss, there can be cumulative damage that doesn’t manifest for years. A single incident can do this.
[Switch off preachy mode]
Reliable sources tell me that things like tissue paper and cotton balls will not protect your hearing at all. Only properly designed earplugs (custom-fitted filters, or the one-size-fits-all foam type) or headphone-style ear muffs will do that.
But I have a hard time believing that my ears need to be armored against diddly music. Well, except when somebody lunges for a high note on a Susato whistle. I wish there was a mute for those.
It's actually rolled up loo paper but it certainly does the job. I'll consider putting stuff under the grille - I've done this before on another instrument - but I'm scared of stuff getting into the reeds...
It was certainly the instrument, no question. Trouble is, I spent a good few hours playing it (as you would with a new toy). But it has made me sit up. I value my hearing over my right hand (i'm not left handed). I'm just hoping that with practice I can play a little quieter...
And my hearing is back to normal this evening. Let's hope it stays that way.
Deafness is not a matter to be treated lightly. I come from a family of deaf people with whistling from hearing aides interrupting telephone conversations etc. They think I am doing well, but of course I am not. The kids at the school I teach at will tell you differently. It can be quite an issue when playing with others, if you can't hear them over your own instrument. I would have thought this would be particularly so with something as loud as a squeeze box. I say look after your hearing as best you can, and use a mute or ear plugs if that is the solution. Not worth risking a long term loss. Hearing is very precious.
I also come from a family of people with hearing problems. I have profound bi-lateral hearing loss myself. Playing my fiddle is not so much a problem. I can't wear my hearing aids when I play, but I seem to be able to hear the music fine -- espcially accordions. Pipes are a little difficult. If I am playing for dancers and using mics and monitors, I have a hard time hearing the other players. I always want the piano louder than anyone else. Also, I can't hear what anyone is saying either during a session or during the dance. So, I feel like an old man sitting in a chair waiting for someone to give me a clue about what to do. Hearing loss is not pleasant. I don't think there was anything I could do to avoid it (my hearing loss started before I began to play ITM), but if there is anything you can do to lessen the problem, you should do it.
I agree. Mute the instrument rather than stuff your ears - because what about everyone else? But don't mute it permenantly because you'll want that volume for playing outside or on stage.
The idea of putting a scarf under the grill came from an accordion workshop. I think it was Sharon Shanon. It was certainly an internationally known player explaining how they managed to play such a loud instrument in hotel rooms while on tour.
At the same workshop we were told to protect our backs from the instrument's weight by fastening it to our waists with a pair of tights. As a mandolinist I can't really make use of this tip - so I'm passing it on.
"What", I hear you ask, "was a mandolinist doing at an accordion workshop?"
Also if you stuff your ears you will be more inclined to play louder and smother the other players. A bit like when you have headphones on and someone says something and you yell WHAT?!!
Thank you everyone for your advice! I did put a teatowel in my other accordion when I was living in university halls (it put paid to the death threats slipped under my door). Given the small size of my melodeon, I may well have to find something smaller. Perhaps I should follow the advice of a good many people and put a a sock in it...
Although at the forefront of my mind is the fact that the harest thing to do is play quietly and that one day, with practice, I will be able to both do without a mute and those death threats.
sorry?
sorry?
I'm an accordion (with a keyboard) player and i've recently bought a black dot / double ray, nearly new. The decision to get a B/C over a D/G was a good one, even if it was hard at the time.
I got this box a couple of days ago and since then I've not touched my other accordion or a piano for fear of 'corrupting' my early progress on my new box. I think it's paid off... But.
This morning playing a bit at the piano, it sounded very dull. The high frequencies have just gone. My last two days' playing have either desensitized my upper range of hearing or have damaged it more seriously... we can only wait and see. I'm 20 and have always taken great care with (and pride over) my hearing.
Do other people have problems with the volume of their squeezeboxes? Obviously with time I'll get more skill at playing accurately at lower volume (and i'll not be welcome at any sessions until I do!), but does anyone have any recommendations tips or similar experiences? Is this something peculiar to my model?
At the moment I'm playing with cotton wool in my ears. Hardly dignified!
# Posted on July 7th 2006 by youthoftoday
Re: sorry?
Lucky you - I've got cotton wool between my ears.
# Posted on July 7th 2006 by Rudall the time
Re: sorry?
I had trouble playing (my Lilly D/G) quietly when I first got it, but soon adjusted.
# Posted on July 7th 2006 by Martin Milner
Re: sorry?
I have talked to people who have given up fiddle because they are going deaf in one ear, but it happens over years. Your higher frequencies will probably come back. I'm always surprised how much I have to turn the radio down in the morning because the sounds are all louder after a quiet night.
Take it as a warning and be careful longer term though. You can mute most squeezeboxes by puting a scarf between the reeds and the soundholes when you practise. That might help a bit. My partner has a Lily D/G. He muted it about a year ago because the high pitch irritates him - and forgot he'd done it, so it has stayed muted.
# Posted on July 7th 2006 by LowProfile
Re: sorry?
If it has happened as quickly as you say I'd first have your ears checked out by a medic to make sure the problem isn't a build-up of natural secretions (wax) or other gunge which, perhaps coincidentally with your playing of your new box, has come into contact with the ear-drum. If this is the reason for the problem then the treatment is usually straightforward and quick.
Also, have you recently been exposed to very loud noise from other sources? This can cause a measure of hearing loss, which usually recovers.
# Posted on July 7th 2006 by Trevor Jennings
Re: sorry?
There are ways of lowering the volume-most notably, you can reduce the tremolo and dry the sound, which will make an accordion much quieter and a measure less obnoxious. The guys at Irish Dancemaster accordions down in Florida will reduce your tremolo for you if you want them to.
# Posted on July 7th 2006 by Zazzaliss
Re: sorry?
When I play the fiddle, I always plug my left ear with a little wad of tissue – not enough to deafen it, but enough to tone down the high frequencies.
[Switch on preachy mode]
Protect your hearing! Even when you seem to recover from a temporary hearing loss, there can be cumulative damage that doesn’t manifest for years. A single incident can do this.
[Switch off preachy mode]
# Posted on July 7th 2006 by Bob himself
Re: sorry?
Reliable sources tell me that things like tissue paper and cotton balls will not protect your hearing at all. Only properly designed earplugs (custom-fitted filters, or the one-size-fits-all foam type) or headphone-style ear muffs will do that.
But I have a hard time believing that my ears need to be armored against diddly music. Well, except when somebody lunges for a high note on a Susato whistle. I wish there was a mute for those.
# Posted on July 7th 2006 by John Galt
Re: sorry?
Thanks everyone for your advice!
It's actually rolled up loo paper but it certainly does the job. I'll consider putting stuff under the grille - I've done this before on another instrument - but I'm scared of stuff getting into the reeds...
It was certainly the instrument, no question. Trouble is, I spent a good few hours playing it (as you would with a new toy). But it has made me sit up. I value my hearing over my right hand (i'm not left handed). I'm just hoping that with practice I can play a little quieter...
And my hearing is back to normal this evening. Let's hope it stays that way.
# Posted on July 7th 2006 by youthoftoday
Re: sorry?
What ?
# Posted on July 7th 2006 by pbassnote
Re: sorry?
Physiotherapy now has a area of practice which deals solely with music-related injuries. Guess we're all headin' there, youthoftoday!
# Posted on July 7th 2006 by lilt
Re: sorry?
Deafness is not a matter to be treated lightly. I come from a family of deaf people with whistling from hearing aides interrupting telephone conversations etc. They think I am doing well, but of course I am not. The kids at the school I teach at will tell you differently. It can be quite an issue when playing with others, if you can't hear them over your own instrument. I would have thought this would be particularly so with something as loud as a squeeze box. I say look after your hearing as best you can, and use a mute or ear plugs if that is the solution. Not worth risking a long term loss. Hearing is very precious.
# Posted on July 8th 2006 by Clear Drops
Re: sorry?
I also come from a family of people with hearing problems. I have profound bi-lateral hearing loss myself. Playing my fiddle is not so much a problem. I can't wear my hearing aids when I play, but I seem to be able to hear the music fine -- espcially accordions. Pipes are a little difficult. If I am playing for dancers and using mics and monitors, I have a hard time hearing the other players. I always want the piano louder than anyone else. Also, I can't hear what anyone is saying either during a session or during the dance. So, I feel like an old man sitting in a chair waiting for someone to give me a clue about what to do.
Hearing loss is not pleasant. I don't think there was anything I could do to avoid it (my hearing loss started before I began to play ITM), but if there is anything you can do to lessen the problem, you should do it.
# Posted on July 8th 2006 by John Culhane
Re: sorry?
I agree. Mute the instrument rather than stuff your ears - because what about everyone else? But don't mute it permenantly because you'll want that volume for playing outside or on stage.
The idea of putting a scarf under the grill came from an accordion workshop. I think it was Sharon Shanon. It was certainly an internationally known player explaining how they managed to play such a loud instrument in hotel rooms while on tour.
# Posted on July 8th 2006 by LowProfile
Re: sorry?
At the same workshop we were told to protect our backs from the instrument's weight by fastening it to our waists with a pair of tights. As a mandolinist I can't really make use of this tip - so I'm passing it on.
"What", I hear you ask, "was a mandolinist doing at an accordion workshop?"
Damned if I know!.
# Posted on July 8th 2006 by LowProfile
Re: sorry?
Also if you stuff your ears you will be more inclined to play louder and smother the other players. A bit like when you have headphones on and someone says something and you yell WHAT?!!
# Posted on July 8th 2006 by Sarfly
Re: sorry?
sorry?
# Posted on July 8th 2006 by youthoftoday
Re: sorry?
maybe you just might being polite!!!!
# Posted on July 9th 2006 by Sarfly
Re: sorry?
Hm. Perhaps I should be, and say:
Thank you everyone for your advice! I did put a teatowel in my other accordion when I was living in university halls (it put paid to the death threats slipped under my door). Given the small size of my melodeon, I may well have to find something smaller. Perhaps I should follow the advice of a good many people and put a a sock in it...
Although at the forefront of my mind is the fact that the harest thing to do is play quietly and that one day, with practice, I will be able to both do without a mute and those death threats.
# Posted on July 9th 2006 by youthoftoday