Hello, I'd be grateful for any help finding someone to teach me how to play the wonderful piano accordion, somewhere near DIDCOT, OXFORDSHIRE (England)
I've tinkered and am encouraged to the extent that I think I'm going to be able to actually do this. I'm a beginner but I've gone through 'the wall' (at least the first one) in terms of being able to use both hands at once - I can do it, very exciting!
But I want to be really good for the enjoyment of everyone who knows me (whether they like it or not!).
Hiya Dot,You could do well for advice on finding a local teacher by contacting Rob Howard.Drop him an email on
robaccord5@hotmail.com
Rob has contacts in the piano box world all over the place.Good luck .Cos.
Hey. Unfortunately, I can't help you with a teacher but one thing is to be very careful in learning the instrument! If it's widely considered that it is an instrument that not alot of bad music is played on, then it at least means that it is a difficult one to choose to learn!
Because the overall standard of music coming from the instrument is not as high as what one might find on the fiddle or flute, the best advice is to use your own ear also, be aware of every move you make on the instrument and its affect on the sound, (bellows is a big one) and for whatever statements the teacher makes, make sure you understand *why*.
This might seem like alot of extra work but will make the experience much more worth-while.
oops, should have checked that before I posted it! Second sentence means, alot of bad music is arguably played on the instrument, therefore that's a warning signal that it could be a difficult instrument choice....
"I'm a beginner but I've gone through 'the wall' (at least the first one) in terms of being able to use both hands at once - I can do it, very exciting! "
leave off the left hand - unfortunately at lot of PA players don't realise how easy it is to put too much left hand into the music. IMHO it is much better to use the left hand rather sparingly. Sadly there is often saturation levels of bass/chords from lots of PA players - to the point where it swamps the melody line. It might be bset to leave much of this to the guitarists anyway...
Get the feel of the punch required to give the tunes lift - first. It requires clever work from the bellows and really I'd suggest the best thing is to get that right first.
agreed - the PA player in our session does some amazing stuff with his left hand action. However, for me it is still just a little too much. Handled well it is great.
I admit I am biased away from too much chordal stuff in the music. But if you do it well, fine.
Thank you very much for your helpful responses; I'm taking careful note - I certainly want to do the music and the instrument justice. I'll contact Rob Howard, thanks 'cos'.
If it's traditional Irish you are looking for try Alan Kelly. He lives in Ireland but is often on tour. You can find him by googling Alan Kelly Black Box. The next best thing is to buy some of his CDs and you'll hear exactly whats being talked about ... using the base very sparingly but effectively to get the neagh.
Piano accordion teacher wanted.
Piano accordion teacher wanted.
Hello, I'd be grateful for any help finding someone to teach me how to play the wonderful piano accordion, somewhere near DIDCOT, OXFORDSHIRE (England)
I've tinkered and am encouraged to the extent that I think I'm going to be able to actually do this. I'm a beginner but I've gone through 'the wall' (at least the first one) in terms of being able to use both hands at once - I can do it, very exciting!
But I want to be really good for the enjoyment of everyone who knows me (whether they like it or not!).
Thanks for listening
# Posted on February 24th 2008 by dot2dot
Re: Piano accordion teacher wanted.
Hiya Dot,You could do well for advice on finding a local teacher by contacting Rob Howard.Drop him an email on
robaccord5@hotmail.com
Rob has contacts in the piano box world all over the place.Good luck .Cos.
# Posted on February 24th 2008 by cos
Re: Piano accordion teacher wanted.
Hey. Unfortunately, I can't help you with a teacher but one thing is to be very careful in learning the instrument! If it's widely considered that it is an instrument that not alot of bad music is played on, then it at least means that it is a difficult one to choose to learn!
Because the overall standard of music coming from the instrument is not as high as what one might find on the fiddle or flute, the best advice is to use your own ear also, be aware of every move you make on the instrument and its affect on the sound, (bellows is a big one) and for whatever statements the teacher makes, make sure you understand *why*.
This might seem like alot of extra work but will make the experience much more worth-while.
Good luck!
Martin.
# Posted on February 24th 2008 by martin t
Re: Piano accordion teacher wanted.
oops, should have checked that before I posted it! Second sentence means, alot of bad music is arguably played on the instrument, therefore that's a warning signal that it could be a difficult instrument choice....
*sigh*
# Posted on February 24th 2008 by martin t
Re: Piano accordion teacher wanted.
*gasp of offence*
# Posted on February 24th 2008 by mehitabel23
Re: Piano accordion teacher wanted.
A word of advice - IMHO
"I'm a beginner but I've gone through 'the wall' (at least the first one) in terms of being able to use both hands at once - I can do it, very exciting! "
leave off the left hand - unfortunately at lot of PA players don't realise how easy it is to put too much left hand into the music. IMHO it is much better to use the left hand rather sparingly. Sadly there is often saturation levels of bass/chords from lots of PA players - to the point where it swamps the melody line. It might be bset to leave much of this to the guitarists anyway...
Get the feel of the punch required to give the tunes lift - first. It requires clever work from the bellows and really I'd suggest the best thing is to get that right first.
Welcome & good luck.
Nathan
# Posted on February 24th 2008 by Brown Creeper
Re: Piano accordion teacher wanted.
^ he's right
But when you're on your own, the bass is totally cool if played well (please reserve vamping for vampy tunes).
# Posted on February 24th 2008 by mehitabel23
Re: Piano accordion teacher wanted.
agreed - the PA player in our session does some amazing stuff with his left hand action. However, for me it is still just a little too much. Handled well it is great.
I admit I am biased away from too much chordal stuff in the music. But if you do it well, fine.
# Posted on February 25th 2008 by Brown Creeper
Re: Piano accordion teacher wanted.
Thank you very much for your helpful responses; I'm taking careful note - I certainly want to do the music and the instrument justice. I'll contact Rob Howard, thanks 'cos'.
# Posted on February 26th 2008 by sloth
Re: Piano accordion teacher wanted.
Oh have just noticed that somehow I've posted as 'sloth' (sorry 'sloth'!) I'm actually 'dot2dot'.
# Posted on February 26th 2008 by sloth
Re: Piano accordion teacher wanted.
Music workshops near you:
http://www.whitecottagewebsites.co.uk/homweekends/
The accordion workshop was cancelled but I'm sure Dave Townsend would have some contacts for you.
You could also try:
http://www.ukaccordions.co.uk/
# Posted on February 28th 2008 by Fiddlebabe
Re: Piano accordion teacher wanted.
If it's traditional Irish you are looking for try Alan Kelly. He lives in Ireland but is often on tour. You can find him by googling Alan Kelly Black Box. The next best thing is to buy some of his CDs and you'll hear exactly whats being talked about ... using the base very sparingly but effectively to get the neagh.
# Posted on January 12th 2010 by sallygardens