Long term reader, first time writer on the session.
I'm based in Florida and play the piano accordion. I've just started a gig in a small bar - all acoustic. I play with a friend of mine - brilliant tin whistle player! He can't make the next gig, and I don't know anyone else in the area of his standard that I'd want to do a gig with. I was wondering, would it be ok for me to play the kazoo at the same time as playing the piano box? To try and make the same sound as the piano box and the whistle? Would it still sound celtic? I have the celtic version in my head, and I play it with the piano box, but would it still sound celtic through the kazoo?
I was thinking about harmonies too. I saw a recent discussion about a new cd with harmonies on it. Is that good? I really like it.
Let me know. The gigs tommorow. Wish me the luck of the Irish!
I'd recommend recording yourself doing this, and play it back to see if it is an acceptable sound.
If you can sing the tunes, well then you might be ok.
Personally I'd stick to the acc, not that it's my favourite instrument. The more you dilute your concentration, the worse it can get.
The problem is the bar owner wants a BIG sound, which we have when it's the two instruments. I don't want to have to really pull hard on the piano box to make it loud - you lose al the music when you do that.
I can sing in tune, but I don't have a great voice tone wise. I feel I'd be able to do the melody better justice with the kazoo than lilting or singing.
I can imagine it would ease up the harshness of the piano accordion solo alright and would compliment perfectly such recent piano accordion hits such as liobhan song!
I have always felt that the kazoo has never received the attention it deserves.
There have been so few virtuosi!
If only people made an effort to understand its complexities.
Perhaps the time is now..and YOU are the person to make it happen.
It’s just a pity that, playing the accordion, you don’t have a free hand.
You could try the nose whistle. (IMHO – one of the very few instruments
which rate alongside the kazoo.)
In any event..good luck. As long as you have the piano accordion, you’ll do fine.
"f only people made an effort to understand its complexities.
Perhaps the time is now..and YOU are the person to make it happen." If you you copy this woman! - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An5a6h7vA00
You could try the other "I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue" instrument - replace the rasp of the kazzoo with the mellifluous Swanee Whistle. If you attach the end of the plunger to the top of the box, you could modulate the pitch by moving your head back and forth.
You have been reading here for a long time, and you want to know what a group that generally looks down at piano accordions thinks of adding a kazoo to the mix? You are either putting us on, or a masochist! If you are serious, just stick to your accordion, a PA is plenty all by itself.
gigging instrument question
gigging instrument question
Hey there.
Long term reader, first time writer on the session.
I'm based in Florida and play the piano accordion. I've just started a gig in a small bar - all acoustic. I play with a friend of mine - brilliant tin whistle player! He can't make the next gig, and I don't know anyone else in the area of his standard that I'd want to do a gig with. I was wondering, would it be ok for me to play the kazoo at the same time as playing the piano box? To try and make the same sound as the piano box and the whistle? Would it still sound celtic? I have the celtic version in my head, and I play it with the piano box, but would it still sound celtic through the kazoo?
I was thinking about harmonies too. I saw a recent discussion about a new cd with harmonies on it. Is that good? I really like it.
Let me know. The gigs tommorow. Wish me the luck of the Irish!
Davy
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by pio acc
Re: gigging instrument question
I'd recommend recording yourself doing this, and play it back to see if it is an acceptable sound.
If you can sing the tunes, well then you might be ok.
Personally I'd stick to the acc, not that it's my favourite instrument. The more you dilute your concentration, the worse it can get.
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: gigging instrument question
Thanks P
The problem is the bar owner wants a BIG sound, which we have when it's the two instruments. I don't want to have to really pull hard on the piano box to make it loud - you lose al the music when you do that.
I can sing in tune, but I don't have a great voice tone wise. I feel I'd be able to do the melody better justice with the kazoo than lilting or singing.
D
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by pio acc
Re: gigging instrument question
I didn't know what a Kazoo was until i looked it up -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC65ufGUvKM
I can imagine it would ease up the harshness of the piano accordion solo alright and would compliment perfectly such recent piano accordion hits such as liobhan song!
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by Cathal Buí Mac Giolla Ghunna
Re: gigging instrument question
Oh look what i found, somebody beat you to it Dave - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_obc804PeE
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by Cathal Buí Mac Giolla Ghunna
Re: gigging instrument question
this isnt really helpful, but i've always considered the kazoo a comedy instrument. i'd rather see someone lilt (weak voice or not)
than use a kazoo.
good luck
# Posted on November 7th 2009 by rumpole
Re: gigging instrument question
Got to be joking...just say no to the kazoo!
# Posted on November 7th 2009 by shanty
Re: gigging instrument question
I have always felt that the kazoo has never received the attention it deserves.
There have been so few virtuosi!
If only people made an effort to understand its complexities.
Perhaps the time is now..and YOU are the person to make it happen.
It’s just a pity that, playing the accordion, you don’t have a free hand.
You could try the nose whistle. (IMHO – one of the very few instruments
which rate alongside the kazoo.)
In any event..good luck. As long as you have the piano accordion, you’ll do fine.
# Posted on November 7th 2009 by Fr.Jack
Re: gigging instrument question
"f only people made an effort to understand its complexities.
Perhaps the time is now..and YOU are the person to make it happen." If you you copy this woman! -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An5a6h7vA00
# Posted on November 7th 2009 by Cathal Buí Mac Giolla Ghunna
Re: gigging instrument question
And you might look nice in a dress.
# Posted on November 7th 2009 by gam
Re: gigging instrument question
The lady out of the Carolina Chocolate Drops IS a very talented kazoo-player.
Catch one of their live shows !
# Posted on November 7th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: gigging instrument question
You could try the other "I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue" instrument - replace the rasp of the kazzoo with the mellifluous Swanee Whistle. If you attach the end of the plunger to the top of the box, you could modulate the pitch by moving your head back and forth.
# Posted on November 7th 2009 by RichardB
Re: gigging instrument question
That clip just goes to show that any twit can play a Kazoo!
# Posted on November 7th 2009 by Free Reed
Re: gigging instrument question
But why not go for the full hat-trick? Kazoo, swannee whistle *and* Jew's harp, while you're about it?
Seriously, though, the piano accordian (in the right hands) can be made to sound like a full band in itself.
So, in defaut of having another musician to play along with you, you'd be better off just sticking with the piano accordian ...
# Posted on November 7th 2009 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: gigging instrument question
I'll tell you a secret:
If you die on stage, you'll still survive...it ain't like real life!
Lots of doing folk club spots taught me this.
# Posted on November 7th 2009 by nicholas
Re: gigging instrument question
You have been reading here for a long time, and you want to know what a group that generally looks down at piano accordions thinks of adding a kazoo to the mix? You are either putting us on, or a masochist! If you are serious, just stick to your accordion, a PA is plenty all by itself.
# Posted on November 7th 2009 by AlBrown
Re: gigging instrument question
According to these guys, you already have half an orchestra.
Make it work!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7jz0q-oa1I
# Posted on November 8th 2009 by oldstrings
Re: gigging instrument question
So........
.........how did it go, then ?
# Posted on November 8th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: gigging instrument question
that second video is excellent. That's what I aspire to as a musician
# Posted on November 9th 2009 by Earl Cameron