Hey..i need some help in choosing which accordian i will learn..i used to play the piano accordian and was quite ok..but then i left it..i was considering in selling my piano accordian and getting a new button accordian..but at the present time..i am totally confused as to which one i should do..i was thinking of returning to play the piano accordian as it does sound nice..but would the button be easier to learn?If any of you could give me some advice as what to do..i would more than appreciate it!thanks..
either a c#d with 12 basses or a 2 and a half row g d,or a small piano accordion.
if you have already had some experience with the Piano Accordion,this would probably be the easiest.
how about a concertina?
i would love to learn the concertina..But..there are no concertina teachers any where near me!..i would have to travel a good bit to go to one..:(..
yes i was thinking of sticking with the piano accordian..but the only problem is that it is a big heavy thing..and i hate bringing it round!:(..it is a Hohner 72 bass Student..i was thinking maybe if i sold the one i had and got a 48 bass..but i do not know much about accordians..
Many PA players that I know went on to play a continental chromatic 4 or 5 row box and found the change much easier than changing to a diatonic box. You already know the layout of the stradella bass so it's only a matter of learning the pattern of buttons on the right hand. Incidentally there are two systems - C system and B system. The C system seems to be the most favoured. Have a look at this clip to see how this 14 year lad does it. Not ITM I know, but he'll show you what playing the box is all about.
I've just started learning to play a simple 2 row box this week, & after only 2 days, I thought I wasn't doing too badly really ................ until I watched that YouTube!
Aaaaaaaarg
Mind you, I like his title .... World Champion of Vice! ... not bad going for a 14 year old.
The young folk are just so advanced for their years, these days, don't you think?
There are many paths to Free Reed enlightenment. For myself, I chose the path of a Saltarelle Irish Bouebe, swing tuned, B/C, and have never regretted it.
I would advise you not to spend too little on an accordion. Not only will you not be happy with it for long, it will have little resale value. The brands I have found most people happy with are Cairdin, Saltarelle, and Castignari, although there are other good ones as well. Some people are quite happy with Hohner Black Dot boxes, but I would not recommend any box cheaper than a Hohner.
Your best bet is to find someone in your area who plays button box who can advise you on your purchase, and better yet, teach you. The person who teaches himself has a teacher who is ignorant.
Thus endeth the lesson.
I agree with what Al Brown says. Get the best box you can possibly afford.
If you get your skills first on a good box, when your technique is developed. a Black Dot will be fun and easy to play as a second box. Developing skills from scratch on a Black Dot especially in B/C tuning could be a bit of a slog by comparison.
B/C is probably the most frequently played. I will probably get swamped with comments from the C#/D players. But reality is B/C most common by a pretty wide margin. You need to check with someone who plays both systems so you can evaluate which one you prefer. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, and there are lots of threads here debating that subject.
Al Brown and MBC as usual are right on the money. Though that is not to say that if you buy a boube price point box, which is a better quality box, that you won't move up. Be careful on the first box not to buy a cra**y chinese or eastern european box. You will be back playing your PA out of frustration if you do.
I started out on a giustozzi two row /8 bass button from Castelfidardo, but had to have it tuned, the bass system tweaked (the standard Soprani 8 bass system is very limited and there are several others that give you more flexibility for bass) and a castrating switch (drops out the thirds so you can play minor mode-you will actually have the switch engaged 98% of the time you play). The Italian Boxes are nice. If you have the money, the Castignari's are sweet. I think Saltarelles are actually Italian in origin despite their French ownership. They are very nice boxes and still affrodable. But there are the VanderAa's, and Guiliards which have fantastic sound...you pay for it too.
After a while, I moved to a 21/2 row Saltarelle Connemara 3 with 12 basses in the 'John Williams' configuration-called a 'club box'. Wonderful box.
But there is so much sound variety in the good boxes you should really shop with someone who knows boxes and how they are used.
Even with my connemara, I saw a 2 row Castignari a couple of weeks ago (a very expensive one) and the sound quality just knocked your socks off.
Dinn2 seems to be in that boat...always finding new and different boxes. He might be good source on various boxes. Just beware he as a bias towards c#/d as I recall.
Well personally, i would stick to piano accordion, thats the one I chose myself and I personally thingk that its quite an easy intsrument to learn, especially if you already have experience in it! I would suggest getting a Honner (German make) accordion, these tend to have the best sound quality, however, you pay for this! A scarlatti would be another cheaper good choice, but I would definetly avoid Chansons.
Saltarell B/C is the way to go....have been playing it for almost a year and I'm doing pretty decent considering I did learn to play it by myself!! Buy the best you can afford instead of going the 'thrifty route' .I would buy a Saltarell all over again ...very satisfied with this box!!!
Help..Which Accordian..?
Help..Which Accordian..?
Hey..i need some help in choosing which accordian i will learn..i used to play the piano accordian and was quite ok..but then i left it..i was considering in selling my piano accordian and getting a new button accordian..but at the present time..i am totally confused as to which one i should do..i was thinking of returning to play the piano accordian as it does sound nice..but would the button be easier to learn?If any of you could give me some advice as what to do..i would more than appreciate it!thanks..
# Posted on August 14th 2008 by x.I<3TRAD.x
Re: Help..Which Accordian..?
either a c#d with 12 basses or a 2 and a half row g d,or a small piano accordion.
if you have already had some experience with the Piano Accordion,this would probably be the easiest.
how about a concertina?
# Posted on August 14th 2008 by Dick Miles
Re: Help..Which Accordian..?
i would love to learn the concertina..But..there are no concertina teachers any where near me!..i would have to travel a good bit to go to one..:(..
yes i was thinking of sticking with the piano accordian..but the only problem is that it is a big heavy thing..and i hate bringing it round!:(..it is a Hohner 72 bass Student..i was thinking maybe if i sold the one i had and got a 48 bass..but i do not know much about accordians..
# Posted on August 14th 2008 by x.I<3TRAD.x
Re: Help..Which Accordian..?
Many PA players that I know went on to play a continental chromatic 4 or 5 row box and found the change much easier than changing to a diatonic box. You already know the layout of the stradella bass so it's only a matter of learning the pattern of buttons on the right hand. Incidentally there are two systems - C system and B system. The C system seems to be the most favoured. Have a look at this clip to see how this 14 year lad does it. Not ITM I know, but he'll show you what playing the box is all about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FQsKOKXHIc
# Posted on August 14th 2008 by Free Reed
Re: Help..Which Accordian..?
Free Reed .... you swine!
I've just started learning to play a simple 2 row box this week, & after only 2 days, I thought I wasn't doing too badly really ................ until I watched that YouTube!
Aaaaaaaarg
Mind you, I like his title .... World Champion of Vice! ... not bad going for a 14 year old.
The young folk are just so advanced for their years, these days, don't you think?
Cheers
Dick
# Posted on August 14th 2008 by Ptarmigan
Re: Help..Which Accordian..?
There are many paths to Free Reed enlightenment. For myself, I chose the path of a Saltarelle Irish Bouebe, swing tuned, B/C, and have never regretted it.
I would advise you not to spend too little on an accordion. Not only will you not be happy with it for long, it will have little resale value. The brands I have found most people happy with are Cairdin, Saltarelle, and Castignari, although there are other good ones as well. Some people are quite happy with Hohner Black Dot boxes, but I would not recommend any box cheaper than a Hohner.
Your best bet is to find someone in your area who plays button box who can advise you on your purchase, and better yet, teach you. The person who teaches himself has a teacher who is ignorant.
Thus endeth the lesson.
# Posted on August 14th 2008 by AlBrown
Re: Help..Which Accordian..?
I agree with what Al Brown says. Get the best box you can possibly afford.
If you get your skills first on a good box, when your technique is developed. a Black Dot will be fun and easy to play as a second box. Developing skills from scratch on a Black Dot especially in B/C tuning could be a bit of a slog by comparison.
Good luck
# Posted on August 15th 2008 by millionyears_bc
Re: Help..Which Accordian..?
B/C is probably the most frequently played. I will probably get swamped with comments from the C#/D players. But reality is B/C most common by a pretty wide margin. You need to check with someone who plays both systems so you can evaluate which one you prefer. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, and there are lots of threads here debating that subject.
Al Brown and MBC as usual are right on the money. Though that is not to say that if you buy a boube price point box, which is a better quality box, that you won't move up. Be careful on the first box not to buy a cra**y chinese or eastern european box. You will be back playing your PA out of frustration if you do.
I started out on a giustozzi two row /8 bass button from Castelfidardo, but had to have it tuned, the bass system tweaked (the standard Soprani 8 bass system is very limited and there are several others that give you more flexibility for bass) and a castrating switch (drops out the thirds so you can play minor mode-you will actually have the switch engaged 98% of the time you play). The Italian Boxes are nice. If you have the money, the Castignari's are sweet. I think Saltarelles are actually Italian in origin despite their French ownership. They are very nice boxes and still affrodable. But there are the VanderAa's, and Guiliards which have fantastic sound...you pay for it too.
After a while, I moved to a 21/2 row Saltarelle Connemara 3 with 12 basses in the 'John Williams' configuration-called a 'club box'. Wonderful box.
But there is so much sound variety in the good boxes you should really shop with someone who knows boxes and how they are used.
Even with my connemara, I saw a 2 row Castignari a couple of weeks ago (a very expensive one) and the sound quality just knocked your socks off.
Dinn2 seems to be in that boat...always finding new and different boxes. He might be good source on various boxes. Just beware he as a bias towards c#/d as I recall.
Best of Luck
# Posted on August 15th 2008 by zippydw
Re: Help..Which Accordian..?
I have heard that Salterelles are built by subcontractors - names such as Dino Baffetti and Serenellini were mentioned
# Posted on August 16th 2008 by millionyears_bc
Re: Help..Which Accordian..?
Well personally, i would stick to piano accordion, thats the one I chose myself and I personally thingk that its quite an easy intsrument to learn, especially if you already have experience in it! I would suggest getting a Honner (German make) accordion, these tend to have the best sound quality, however, you pay for this! A scarlatti would be another cheaper good choice, but I would definetly avoid Chansons.
# Posted on August 19th 2008 by Stuartpiano
Re: Help..Which Accordian..?
Saltarell B/C is the way to go....have been playing it for almost a year and I'm doing pretty decent considering I did learn to play it by myself!! Buy the best you can afford instead of going the 'thrifty route' .I would buy a Saltarell all over again ...very satisfied with this box!!!
# Posted on August 19th 2008 by firnatine