My wife and I are thinking about buying an accordian for our Christmas gift for each other this year. We haven't played a button accordian before, so we'd like some advice.
Key:
Seems like B/C makes a lot of sense to me. Is it any easier or harder to play than other keys?
Model:
I've seen a Planet Irish accordian and all kinds of Hohners, but the more I look, the more I am confused. Any good basic boxes that can take you from beginner to playing at sessions without feeling embarassed?
No doubt other more knowledgeable folk will anwer this, but as another fiddler getting interested in button accordion it seems to me that part of the question is how completely you are dedicated to Irish music. I don't know of another style that is played on the B/C so that seems to lead just one way. It seems to me that if one takes the C#/D route with more playing up and down the row, initial progress will be faster and more of the skills learned would be transferable to other styles.
Do a search on discussions - this has been covered a few times and everything you need to know is in there
In particular there are some pointers to cheap but good button boxes available in the States (I'm not being funny; I can't remember what was recommended since I live so far away).
For my two cents, B/C is harder to play than D/G (needs more cross rowing) but can play any tune in the repertoire. C#/D seems to be about as popular as B/C world wide, but I don't know of any players here in Aus. D/G is easier to pick up as most ITM is in D or G, so can be played straight up the row.
And don't be tempted by a really cheap instrument as you'll only regret it.
There's so much I remember from previous posts, but you're better reading them for youirself.
I play the piano accordion primarily, but as a member of two session groups, I've been attempting to learn to play the button box accordion. As such I've researched the subject of button boxes for playing Irish/Celtic music fairly thoroughly. Here is what I would recommend: buy an excellent B/C box (go through an accordion dealer and expect to pay in excess of $1000), make certain that it is tuned dry to swing rather than wet (if you don't know what that means, your accordion dealer will), if the basses are tuned in the Paolo Soprani configuration (which is likely) have the C/F bass retuned to D/F. I own and play 2 great B/C boxes. One is a swing tuned Bompezzo and the other is a wet tuned Kayleigh which I am considering having retuned to dry. They are both outstanding instruments and I purchased them from Italo American Accordion Company in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Regarding C#/D, or D/G accordions, I've talked to the best of the professional B/C box players and they all say they don't have a clue about playing a D/G box. I've talked to one of the best professional D/G players and he said he didn't have a clue about playing a B/C box. The point is, choose the style of music you want to play and purchase the instrument appropriate for that style and stick with it. If your chosen style is Irish music, B/C is what you need. If your chosen style is English Morris, D/G or A/D/G is what you need. B/C accordions have 2 major advantages over other keys. First, you can play in any key, as was mentioned by another player, above, and second your can easily do cross row rolls, which is essential to Irish music ornamentation. Good luck. B/C boxes are great fun...but you need to be able to chew gum and clap your hands at the same time. Larry
"Cross-row rolls are essential to Irish music ornamentation" - Larry, with respect, that is complete rubbish. If you had said, cross-row rolls are essential to a certain style of box-playing I could agree with you.
In fact cross-row rolls (along with 4-v musette tuning) are one of the main reasons I hated a certain style of box playing for decades. Anyway you can do them just as easily on a C#/D as on a B/C.
I wouldn't completely discount the D/G. There's plenty of crash hot D/G players of ITM, and they don't have any problems with ornamentation.
Like I say, it's faster to learn but can't play 15-20% of the repertoire. Mind you, much of that 20% is the newer pieces, which you might not want to learn anyway. Not having the scale of C may well give you a problem if you want to accompany singers, though.
The best thing to do would be listen to as many box players as possible and identify which type of box they play (easier said than done, although CD notes can be helpful). The different tunings do tend to lead to slightly different styles of playing, but I suspect a beginner would find the differences hard to spot.
The professionals I know all own C#/D boxes, but consistently perform with their well worn B/C boxes. They also TEACH with their B/C boxes, which should be a consideration for a new player, such as Nofrets!
Nofrets
Stick with B/C. It is easier to find someone to teach you since B/C has been the standard Irish box keying since the 1950's (C#/D is the other popular key and has a number of excellent proponents. They are fewer and far between. For learning purposes, the B/C seems to be a good start and you can migrate to a C#/D once you've become proficient in 7 or 8 years
Before buying, find an experienced player and get advice on box selections before you purchase. It will save you alot of hassle and time on retuning and fine tuning (not to mention the expense if the box is used and needs a ton of work). Also, many of the really good player/teachers work with a reputable source and could be a 'one-stop shop'. For example, my intructor, John Williams has a relationship with Salterelle and can get instruments fairly quickly.
You and your Other must have a special relationship. My Other is tolerant of my box playing. She has a very well exercised St.Bernard as a result!
Larry H.
I must have the other B/C Kayleigh from Italo-American! It was made by Giampari Giustozzi in Castelfidardo-well respected brand. Kayleigh is actually the name of the family's grand daughter. Mine was also extremely wet and I had IrishDancemaster retune it to almost dry. I also had ItaloAmerican reconfigure the box basses to the Joe Burke Bass pattern.
Nice Box. Is yours stepped keyboard or Irish? I have the stepped which has not been a problem, but am looking at an upgrade. Probably a 12 button bass, 2 1/2 row B/C.
Funny you should say "stick with B/C", zippy... I gathered he hasn't actually got a box yet....
Q. Is it harder to play than other keys? I think it is.
Q. Does it make a lot of sense? Well... to some it does, to others, such as myself, having a D row makes more sense.
In the core keys, B/C imposes greater fluidity in linear passages, esp. in the middle of the range. A good thing? Matter of taste. And there are trade-offs - no free lunch!
On B/C your bellows move in and out a good bit less (overall) but your fingers have to zoom around a good bit more. Which is the best choice? You'll have to decide that for yourself.
The best idea is really to borrow a box for a week (B/C or C#/D) or and try the fingerings of each system for a couple of keys.
This will tie your head in knots and quite possibly put you off the box forever - which will probably be a good thing for your sanity, your bank balance and your marriage.
No arguments with anything you say. There are great C#/D players out there. And there is the 'punchier style' compared with the smoother B/C style.
Personally, I've found B/C easy to understand. Also works well with the keys the box bangers I play with use.
But if they have to find a teacher which I wholeheartedly recommend (sounds like they can get a group discount!), there are more B/C players who can help them get up the learning curve which can be a challenge on any diatonic.
Something else I should have warned them about especially if they are in Canada or the States and plagued by our Dimwitted president's gross exchange rate to the euro. Avoid the cheapie beginner boxes especially the eastern european and chinese. Buying them would be a quick change to learning oboe or something like that. That's why I mentioned the Giustozzi. A very nice value. Especially with cost of the more well known brands like the Salterelle or Cast's going stratoshpheric with the exchange rate.
If they are in the States or Canada, they should really contact IrishDancemaster who makes some nice 21 button 8 bass, with exceptional reeds tuned to taste in Florida USA. Sold in dollars which would make them an even better value if nofret is in europe.
Unless they are experienced in both systems your suggestion might be a bit tough in a week. I am two and 1/2 years into B/C (professional musician over 40 years) and I can't say that I am always comfortable with B/C. I've tried C#/D and E/A and could not make heads or tails out of them.
I think they have to pick one and go at it. And for that the B/C's being more common makes some sense.
I would not be as adamant as Larry about the BC thing, C#D is certainly a great system for this music. My one piece of advice is don't go too cheap on your starter box, or you will find yourself saddled with an instrument you quickly outgrow, that has limited resale value. Myself, I am a happy BC Saltarelle Irish Bouebe player, who bought it through the Button Box in Amherst, MA, USA, and would recommend that path to anyone. But it is not the only path to enlightenment......
Thanks everyone! I have a lot to look into and I appreciate your comments. I did find out that a local shop has some accordians, and I might check to see if they would rent me one for a couple months. I'm not sure what keys they have, though. Renting is a good idea and I don't know why I didn't think of it. I've suggested people that want to try the fiddle do the same thing.
good luck on the exchange rates. Close to $1.50/euro today.
To get something good and affordable, you may be looking at used boxes which require some work. I hope you have a good experienced player to consult with on whatever you buy.
Many people will counsel against buying on Eb*y for valid reasons. On the other hand, so long as there are other people bidding, the chances are you can re-sell with little loss. This can mean a low risk way of trying things out.
IMHO, pick up a B/C or C#/D and just start experimenting, and it tends to lead you into playing up and down the row in C#/D style. It takes a bit of care to get into the main ITM keys on a B/C. So long as you leave the left hand alone and you're learning on your own, you can try both methods on either box, you'll just be playing in different keys.
Whilst good advice can be very valuable, in "the old days" people just got whatever box they could and away they went.
MacCruiskeen, It is perfectly possible to play as fast on a DG as on any other system,Why shouldnt it be?
.the construction of the instrument is no different,
[you dont have to use the basses],although I know DG players that do use their basses,and can still play fast,it just requires practice.
The DG has2 advantages,in the keys of DG because thereare many of the same notes common to both rows,theopportunity to crossrow to smooth out phrases is greater [if you wish it].if you wish to use the Basses it is easier on a GD.
MacCruiskeen,dont get excited.
I may have materialised simultaneously with Jig,but it is purely coincidence,
I am not jig,neither am I DianeEasby,or Mary Humphreys.
here are threeDGbox players who can play irish music at speed .Jim Bainbridge, CathyCook,[see CathyCook1 youtube],Tim Eadie[see youtube].
a fourth one Tony Hall,I have danced Seige Of Ennis to ,and other Irish dances,And his speed was fine for dancing.
what you are saying does not make sense.
As regards playing in Amajor the answer is simple a two and half row DG,or a Piano Accordian,JohnClifford[Julias husband]was a fine exponent of irish music on this instrument.
DickMiles[who is not Jig]
I am in the first few years of box playing and play ensemble in addition to the ITM. Though I try to play the button as much as I can, I keep my trusty PA next to me for when the piano nazi insists in playing in Dflat instead of C, or Bflat, all of which are...well humorous....in terms of my B/C.
The box bangers can capo. I haven't seen anyone advertising a switch on the box to allow key changes to piano-player keys.
Problem is, the PA gives you the reed "sound" but you don't get the same expression/ornament capability. For people who (correctly) observe that B/C is more legato, the PA must drive them nuts.
But sadly the non-irish players playing non-ITM don't understand/care as long as the have a warm reed sound.
zZippydw
The PA is more legato than the BC,that is its problem, it lacks the natural bounce of a button box,toget it sounding more staccato the skilled player has to use finger attack,youcan get plenty of expression ornamentation capability.
.it is not the instrument that is at fault but the player,if it is not coming out in the music .
I might take issue with that. The PA is a very different instrument. A skilled player, and we have some superb ones here in Chicago, can achieve great expression. But it will still sound like a PA.
btw, I am not knocking the PA. It has a fullness and versatility that lets it go where most button players could never go. Like I said. When I play ensemble, I have my PA and my button side by side.
My point is that many music directors and piano players in lead roles don't understand either instrument, consequently abusing-or not using both.
Ontopic-Herself was watching the new PBS exercise in american perceptionized Irish Music, Celtic Women Christmas or something like that.
Neither reed instrument was there. There was an occasional over-reverbed flute or whistle.
Off topic and maybe a segue to a new thread, the score sounded like something off of the old Andy Williams Show when I was a kid. As far as the marquee players, the ladies' voices are superb. Maired's fiddle-when they let her play it-is something else. Note she has one spoken line.
The music director's arrangement and orchestrations are either intended for Las Vegas, or to attract old folks to Irish Cruises leaving from Florida.
Sad that PBS is promoting it as Irish. Closing with a full Broadway quality orchestration of 'Let it Snow"???????
OK. Bit the bullet, and just ordered a Salterelle b/c box from John Williams's website. Should have it in a week or so. I'll keep you posted on the progress. Thanks for everyone's help.
Thinking about giving accordian a try...
Thinking about giving accordian a try...
Hi All,
My wife and I are thinking about buying an accordian for our Christmas gift for each other this year. We haven't played a button accordian before, so we'd like some advice.
Key:
Seems like B/C makes a lot of sense to me. Is it any easier or harder to play than other keys?
Model:
I've seen a Planet Irish accordian and all kinds of Hohners, but the more I look, the more I am confused. Any good basic boxes that can take you from beginner to playing at sessions without feeling embarassed?
Thanks!
Nofrets
# Posted on November 26th 2007 by nofrets
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
No doubt other more knowledgeable folk will anwer this, but as another fiddler getting interested in button accordion it seems to me that part of the question is how completely you are dedicated to Irish music. I don't know of another style that is played on the B/C so that seems to lead just one way. It seems to me that if one takes the C#/D route with more playing up and down the row, initial progress will be faster and more of the skills learned would be transferable to other styles.
# Posted on November 26th 2007 by TomB-R
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
nofrets,
Do a search on discussions - this has been covered a few times and everything you need to know is in there
In particular there are some pointers to cheap but good button boxes available in the States (I'm not being funny; I can't remember what was recommended since I live so far away).
For my two cents, B/C is harder to play than D/G (needs more cross rowing) but can play any tune in the repertoire. C#/D seems to be about as popular as B/C world wide, but I don't know of any players here in Aus. D/G is easier to pick up as most ITM is in D or G, so can be played straight up the row.
And don't be tempted by a really cheap instrument as you'll only regret it.
There's so much I remember from previous posts, but you're better reading them for youirself.
Eno
# Posted on November 26th 2007 by bc_box_player
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
I play the piano accordion primarily, but as a member of two session groups, I've been attempting to learn to play the button box accordion. As such I've researched the subject of button boxes for playing Irish/Celtic music fairly thoroughly. Here is what I would recommend: buy an excellent B/C box (go through an accordion dealer and expect to pay in excess of $1000), make certain that it is tuned dry to swing rather than wet (if you don't know what that means, your accordion dealer will), if the basses are tuned in the Paolo Soprani configuration (which is likely) have the C/F bass retuned to D/F. I own and play 2 great B/C boxes. One is a swing tuned Bompezzo and the other is a wet tuned Kayleigh which I am considering having retuned to dry. They are both outstanding instruments and I purchased them from Italo American Accordion Company in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Regarding C#/D, or D/G accordions, I've talked to the best of the professional B/C box players and they all say they don't have a clue about playing a D/G box. I've talked to one of the best professional D/G players and he said he didn't have a clue about playing a B/C box. The point is, choose the style of music you want to play and purchase the instrument appropriate for that style and stick with it. If your chosen style is Irish music, B/C is what you need. If your chosen style is English Morris, D/G or A/D/G is what you need. B/C accordions have 2 major advantages over other keys. First, you can play in any key, as was mentioned by another player, above, and second your can easily do cross row rolls, which is essential to Irish music ornamentation. Good luck. B/C boxes are great fun...but you need to be able to chew gum and clap your hands at the same time.
Larry
# Posted on November 26th 2007 by LarryH
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
"Cross-row rolls are essential to Irish music ornamentation" - Larry, with respect, that is complete rubbish. If you had said, cross-row rolls are essential to a certain style of box-playing I could agree with you.
In fact cross-row rolls (along with 4-v musette tuning) are one of the main reasons I hated a certain style of box playing for decades. Anyway you can do them just as easily on a C#/D as on a B/C.
# Posted on November 26th 2007 by Jeeves Tones
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
LarryH wrote 'If your chosen style is Irish music, B/C is what you need.'
This would only be true if the words 'Joe Burke's way of playing' were introduced before 'Irish music'.
Whatever you do, don't buy a D/G accordion - sure, they're relatively easy to learn, but will leave you striving to keep up with other musicians.
I'd go along with JT and recommend a C#/D.
# Posted on November 26th 2007 by Floss the Tethers
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
I wouldn't completely discount the D/G. There's plenty of crash hot D/G players of ITM, and they don't have any problems with ornamentation.
Like I say, it's faster to learn but can't play 15-20% of the repertoire. Mind you, much of that 20% is the newer pieces, which you might not want to learn anyway. Not having the scale of C may well give you a problem if you want to accompany singers, though.
The best thing to do would be listen to as many box players as possible and identify which type of box they play (easier said than done, although CD notes can be helpful). The different tunings do tend to lead to slightly different styles of playing, but I suspect a beginner would find the differences hard to spot.
# Posted on November 27th 2007 by bc_box_player
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
The professionals I know all own C#/D boxes, but consistently perform with their well worn B/C boxes. They also TEACH with their B/C boxes, which should be a consideration for a new player, such as Nofrets!
# Posted on November 27th 2007 by LarryH
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
bc_box_player wrote 'There's plenty of crash hot D/G players of ITM'.
Go on, then, name one in Ireland!
# Posted on November 27th 2007 by Floss the Tethers
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
Nofrets
Stick with B/C. It is easier to find someone to teach you since B/C has been the standard Irish box keying since the 1950's (C#/D is the other popular key and has a number of excellent proponents. They are fewer and far between. For learning purposes, the B/C seems to be a good start and you can migrate to a C#/D once you've become proficient in 7 or 8 years
Before buying, find an experienced player and get advice on box selections before you purchase. It will save you alot of hassle and time on retuning and fine tuning (not to mention the expense if the box is used and needs a ton of work). Also, many of the really good player/teachers work with a reputable source and could be a 'one-stop shop'. For example, my intructor, John Williams has a relationship with Salterelle and can get instruments fairly quickly.
You and your Other must have a special relationship. My Other is tolerant of my box playing. She has a very well exercised St.Bernard as a result!
Larry H.
I must have the other B/C Kayleigh from Italo-American! It was made by Giampari Giustozzi in Castelfidardo-well respected brand. Kayleigh is actually the name of the family's grand daughter. Mine was also extremely wet and I had IrishDancemaster retune it to almost dry. I also had ItaloAmerican reconfigure the box basses to the Joe Burke Bass pattern.
Nice Box. Is yours stepped keyboard or Irish? I have the stepped which has not been a problem, but am looking at an upgrade. Probably a 12 button bass, 2 1/2 row B/C.
MacC
I am with you on the D/G question
# Posted on November 27th 2007 by zippydw
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
Funny you should say "stick with B/C", zippy... I gathered he hasn't actually got a box yet....
Q. Is it harder to play than other keys? I think it is.
Q. Does it make a lot of sense? Well... to some it does, to others, such as myself, having a D row makes more sense.
In the core keys, B/C imposes greater fluidity in linear passages, esp. in the middle of the range. A good thing? Matter of taste. And there are trade-offs - no free lunch!
On B/C your bellows move in and out a good bit less (overall) but your fingers have to zoom around a good bit more. Which is the best choice? You'll have to decide that for yourself.
The best idea is really to borrow a box for a week (B/C or C#/D) or and try the fingerings of each system for a couple of keys.
This will tie your head in knots and quite possibly put you off the box forever - which will probably be a good thing for your sanity, your bank balance and your marriage.
# Posted on November 27th 2007 by Jeeves Tones
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
Jeeves
No arguments with anything you say. There are great C#/D players out there. And there is the 'punchier style' compared with the smoother B/C style.
Personally, I've found B/C easy to understand. Also works well with the keys the box bangers I play with use.
But if they have to find a teacher which I wholeheartedly recommend (sounds like they can get a group discount!), there are more B/C players who can help them get up the learning curve which can be a challenge on any diatonic.
Something else I should have warned them about especially if they are in Canada or the States and plagued by our Dimwitted president's gross exchange rate to the euro. Avoid the cheapie beginner boxes especially the eastern european and chinese. Buying them would be a quick change to learning oboe or something like that. That's why I mentioned the Giustozzi. A very nice value. Especially with cost of the more well known brands like the Salterelle or Cast's going stratoshpheric with the exchange rate.
If they are in the States or Canada, they should really contact IrishDancemaster who makes some nice 21 button 8 bass, with exceptional reeds tuned to taste in Florida USA. Sold in dollars which would make them an even better value if nofret is in europe.
Unless they are experienced in both systems your suggestion might be a bit tough in a week. I am two and 1/2 years into B/C (professional musician over 40 years) and I can't say that I am always comfortable with B/C. I've tried C#/D and E/A and could not make heads or tails out of them.
I think they have to pick one and go at it. And for that the B/C's being more common makes some sense.
# Posted on November 27th 2007 by zippydw
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
meant Cast's as in Castignari
# Posted on November 27th 2007 by zippydw
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
I would not be as adamant as Larry about the BC thing, C#D is certainly a great system for this music. My one piece of advice is don't go too cheap on your starter box, or you will find yourself saddled with an instrument you quickly outgrow, that has limited resale value. Myself, I am a happy BC Saltarelle Irish Bouebe player, who bought it through the Button Box in Amherst, MA, USA, and would recommend that path to anyone. But it is not the only path to enlightenment......
# Posted on November 27th 2007 by AlBrown
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
i play C sharp D myself, would reccomend a Red Hohner to start off, you may have to get someone to tune it up as most are B/C.
personally i find the C/D much easier to play than B/C but thats just my opionion, i guess which ever you start out on first you will find easiest.
# Posted on November 28th 2007 by S.Doherty
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
Thanks everyone! I have a lot to look into and I appreciate your comments. I did find out that a local shop has some accordians, and I might check to see if they would rent me one for a couple months. I'm not sure what keys they have, though. Renting is a good idea and I don't know why I didn't think of it. I've suggested people that want to try the fiddle do the same thing.
I do live in the states, btw.
Thanks again!
# Posted on November 28th 2007 by nofrets
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
good luck on the exchange rates. Close to $1.50/euro today.
To get something good and affordable, you may be looking at used boxes which require some work. I hope you have a good experienced player to consult with on whatever you buy.
# Posted on November 28th 2007 by zippydw
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
Many people will counsel against buying on Eb*y for valid reasons. On the other hand, so long as there are other people bidding, the chances are you can re-sell with little loss. This can mean a low risk way of trying things out.
IMHO, pick up a B/C or C#/D and just start experimenting, and it tends to lead you into playing up and down the row in C#/D style. It takes a bit of care to get into the main ITM keys on a B/C. So long as you leave the left hand alone and you're learning on your own, you can try both methods on either box, you'll just be playing in different keys.
Whilst good advice can be very valuable, in "the old days" people just got whatever box they could and away they went.
# Posted on November 29th 2007 by TomB-R
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
MacCruiskeen, It is perfectly possible to play as fast on a DG as on any other system,Why shouldnt it be?
.the construction of the instrument is no different,
[you dont have to use the basses],although I know DG players that do use their basses,and can still play fast,it just requires practice.
The DG has2 advantages,in the keys of DG because thereare many of the same notes common to both rows,theopportunity to crossrow to smooth out phrases is greater [if you wish it].if you wish to use the Basses it is easier on a GD.
# Posted on November 29th 2007 by dickens metrognome
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
Dickens, I am not going to respond to any of your postings. Funny how you and Jig simulatenously reappeared on this site after a week's absence.
# Posted on November 29th 2007 by Floss the Tethers
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
Or even 'simultaneously' ....
# Posted on November 29th 2007 by Floss the Tethers
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
MacCruiskeen,dont get excited.
I may have materialised simultaneously with Jig,but it is purely coincidence,
I am not jig,neither am I DianeEasby,or Mary Humphreys.
# Posted on November 30th 2007 by dickens metrognome
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
here are threeDGbox players who can play irish music at speed .Jim Bainbridge, CathyCook,[see CathyCook1 youtube],Tim Eadie[see youtube].
a fourth one Tony Hall,I have danced Seige Of Ennis to ,and other Irish dances,And his speed was fine for dancing.
what you are saying does not make sense.
As regards playing in Amajor the answer is simple a two and half row DG,or a Piano Accordian,JohnClifford[Julias husband]was a fine exponent of irish music on this instrument.
DickMiles[who is not Jig]
# Posted on November 30th 2007 by dickens metrognome
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
I am in the first few years of box playing and play ensemble in addition to the ITM. Though I try to play the button as much as I can, I keep my trusty PA next to me for when the piano nazi insists in playing in Dflat instead of C, or Bflat, all of which are...well humorous....in terms of my B/C.
The box bangers can capo. I haven't seen anyone advertising a switch on the box to allow key changes to piano-player keys.
Problem is, the PA gives you the reed "sound" but you don't get the same expression/ornament capability. For people who (correctly) observe that B/C is more legato, the PA must drive them nuts.
But sadly the non-irish players playing non-ITM don't understand/care as long as the have a warm reed sound.
# Posted on November 30th 2007 by zippydw
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
zZippydw
The PA is more legato than the BC,that is its problem, it lacks the natural bounce of a button box,toget it sounding more staccato the skilled player has to use finger attack,youcan get plenty of expression ornamentation capability.
.it is not the instrument that is at fault but the player,if it is not coming out in the music .
# Posted on November 30th 2007 by dickens metrognome
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
I might take issue with that. The PA is a very different instrument. A skilled player, and we have some superb ones here in Chicago, can achieve great expression. But it will still sound like a PA.
btw, I am not knocking the PA. It has a fullness and versatility that lets it go where most button players could never go. Like I said. When I play ensemble, I have my PA and my button side by side.
My point is that many music directors and piano players in lead roles don't understand either instrument, consequently abusing-or not using both.
Ontopic-Herself was watching the new PBS exercise in american perceptionized Irish Music, Celtic Women Christmas or something like that.
Neither reed instrument was there. There was an occasional over-reverbed flute or whistle.
Off topic and maybe a segue to a new thread, the score sounded like something off of the old Andy Williams Show when I was a kid. As far as the marquee players, the ladies' voices are superb. Maired's fiddle-when they let her play it-is something else. Note she has one spoken line.
The music director's arrangement and orchestrations are either intended for Las Vegas, or to attract old folks to Irish Cruises leaving from Florida.
Sad that PBS is promoting it as Irish. Closing with a full Broadway quality orchestration of 'Let it Snow"???????
# Posted on November 30th 2007 by zippydw
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
OK. Bit the bullet, and just ordered a Salterelle b/c box from John Williams's website. Should have it in a week or so. I'll keep you posted on the progress. Thanks for everyone's help.
# Posted on December 9th 2007 by nofrets
Re: Thinking about giving accordian a try...
Tim Edey's name is misspelled above.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMZZgEtoBbQ
and other youtube clips are worth a look for anyone interested in Irish on the D/G
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by TomB-R