I found the bbc virtual session web site helpful for learning some first tunes -- do you read dots?
If you have a background in harmonica it makes learning the diatonic button box easier --
are you playing a b/c or a c#/d?
I started by learning some simple tunes on one of those toy one row melodions - just getting the feel for the in/out up and down the scale made it easier to make the transition to a 2 row box --
Thanks for replies.I cannot read dots.What I'm looking for is have tune played slow first and then at normal speed like what Michael Eskin does on Tradlessons .com or Irish Flute tunes!
True - the single row melodion and the harmonica as well as the D/G box breath and make notes the same way -- all on the same row --
for the B/C box it's not difficult to find and learn those 2 notes on the outer row - F# and C# - and figure out the D scale (or the G scale)
Baba: just start by playing a scale up and down until you have that scale and those notes memorized under your fingers - then start with simple songs like mary had a little lamb, ect -- work your way up from there to a simple jig like Kesh --
trying to learn the box from watching someone else play it is confusing because it's all upside down and at the wrong angle -- you can't really see the ins/outs -- you just have to start simple, play by ear, get the notes under your fingers -- you're going to be hideous to listen to for about 6 months (I should know, ask my family ;), so just practice at home every day - but after a good 6 months you should be up and running and playing tunes.
While your at it - learning scales by ear and such, you might as well teach yourself to read dots up and down the staff -- this way when you do want to look at the dots you can at least know what notes you're looking at and what note it corresponds with on your box -- don't worry so much about rhythm, but knowing what the notes are on the page and where they are on your box is helpful in learning new tunes...
Don't worry about spending a lot on your first box - I taught myself on one of those toy single row melodeans -- just get in the shallow end of the pool and splash around for awhile.
Listen to and observing skilled players and attempting to duplicate how they're playing is the way to start, as you seem to understand. Luckily a fairly wide selection of skilled players on video is available. Separating the good from the not-so-good is the challenge. If you have neither sessions with skilled players nor a skilled player to teach you, the Comhaltas site might be the place to start.
Go to the Comhaltas music archives then download video of B/C players like Billy McComiskey, or Martin Quinn (if B/C box is what you're playing) and also download the audio of the video separately. http://comhaltas.ie/music/
You sometimes may be able to watch the players' keyboard strokes to get an idea of their fingering methods then take the separate audio file and by using free sound editing software like Audacit, the current AV controls of QuickTime or a Windows Media Player, slow it down to get a closer listen to the structure of the tune's articulation. For example, just by typing "McComiskey" into the search box locates quite a few accordion videos.
Paddy O'Brien's CD collection of 500 tunes is played on B/C accordion without any accompaniment and that helps the listener concentrate on how the tune is played on accordion. Slowing down the tunes with software would help you, to a certain extent, understand how tunes are played well on accordion. http://www.chulrua.com/pobhist.html/
Listening to skilled players is the best way to understand the tunes. Being able to closely watch them play is the most effective way of learning the keyboard, if you can't find a skilled teacher.
listen to the tunes you want to play being played by top class players on fiddle or pipes or flute
then take your time and find a way to make your box play the tune as closely to that model as you can, avoiding ornaments as far as possible
the way you find will be your own. I've never seen two players use completely identical fingering
don't rush, don't expect to play at full speed straight away, and when you can play the tune well enough solo for someone to be able to dance to, consider adding a little tasteful ornamentation
Tunes for 2 row button accordian
Tunes for 2 row button accordian
IS THERE A WEB SITE FOR LEARNING TUNES FOR THE
BOX SOMETHING LIKE IRISH FLUTE TUNES SITE
THANKS
# Posted on December 3rd 2009 by baba
Re: Tunes for 2 row button accordian
YES, IT'S CALLED THE SESSION. CLICK ON 'TUNES'.
# Posted on December 3rd 2009 by Hup
Re: Tunes for 2 row button accordian
I found the bbc virtual session web site helpful for learning some first tunes -- do you read dots?
If you have a background in harmonica it makes learning the diatonic button box easier --
are you playing a b/c or a c#/d?
I started by learning some simple tunes on one of those toy one row melodions - just getting the feel for the in/out up and down the scale made it easier to make the transition to a 2 row box --
# Posted on December 3rd 2009 by Reeds Munson
Re: Tunes for 2 row button accordian
Thanks for replies.I cannot read dots.What I'm looking for is have tune played slow first and then at normal speed like what Michael Eskin does on Tradlessons .com or Irish Flute tunes!
# Posted on December 3rd 2009 by baba
Re: Tunes for 2 row button accordian
A background in harmonica might make learning a diatonic box such as a D/G easier, but I'm not so sure about the semitone-apart boxes you mention.
# Posted on December 3rd 2009 by Steve Shaw
Re: Tunes for 2 row button accordian
That was to Tedrick.
# Posted on December 3rd 2009 by Steve Shaw
Re: Tunes for 2 row button accordian
True - the single row melodion and the harmonica as well as the D/G box breath and make notes the same way -- all on the same row --
for the B/C box it's not difficult to find and learn those 2 notes on the outer row - F# and C# - and figure out the D scale (or the G scale)
Baba: just start by playing a scale up and down until you have that scale and those notes memorized under your fingers - then start with simple songs like mary had a little lamb, ect -- work your way up from there to a simple jig like Kesh --
trying to learn the box from watching someone else play it is confusing because it's all upside down and at the wrong angle -- you can't really see the ins/outs -- you just have to start simple, play by ear, get the notes under your fingers -- you're going to be hideous to listen to for about 6 months (I should know, ask my family ;), so just practice at home every day - but after a good 6 months you should be up and running and playing tunes.
While your at it - learning scales by ear and such, you might as well teach yourself to read dots up and down the staff -- this way when you do want to look at the dots you can at least know what notes you're looking at and what note it corresponds with on your box -- don't worry so much about rhythm, but knowing what the notes are on the page and where they are on your box is helpful in learning new tunes...
Don't worry about spending a lot on your first box - I taught myself on one of those toy single row melodeans -- just get in the shallow end of the pool and splash around for awhile.
Ted
# Posted on December 3rd 2009 by Reeds Munson
Re: Tunes for 2 row button accordian
Listen to and observing skilled players and attempting to duplicate how they're playing is the way to start, as you seem to understand. Luckily a fairly wide selection of skilled players on video is available. Separating the good from the not-so-good is the challenge. If you have neither sessions with skilled players nor a skilled player to teach you, the Comhaltas site might be the place to start.
Go to the Comhaltas music archives then download video of B/C players like Billy McComiskey, or Martin Quinn (if B/C box is what you're playing) and also download the audio of the video separately.
http://comhaltas.ie/music/
You sometimes may be able to watch the players' keyboard strokes to get an idea of their fingering methods then take the separate audio file and by using free sound editing software like Audacit, the current AV controls of QuickTime or a Windows Media Player, slow it down to get a closer listen to the structure of the tune's articulation. For example, just by typing "McComiskey" into the search box locates quite a few accordion videos.
Paddy O'Brien's CD collection of 500 tunes is played on B/C accordion without any accompaniment and that helps the listener concentrate on how the tune is played on accordion. Slowing down the tunes with software would help you, to a certain extent, understand how tunes are played well on accordion.
http://www.chulrua.com/pobhist.html/
Listening to skilled players is the best way to understand the tunes. Being able to closely watch them play is the most effective way of learning the keyboard, if you can't find a skilled teacher.
Good luck.
# Posted on December 3rd 2009 by ∅
Re: Tunes for 2 row button accordian
The above reference is about Audacity software.
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
# Posted on December 3rd 2009 by ∅
Re: Tunes for 2 row button accordian
listen to the tunes you want to play being played by top class players on fiddle or pipes or flute
then take your time and find a way to make your box play the tune as closely to that model as you can, avoiding ornaments as far as possible
the way you find will be your own. I've never seen two players use completely identical fingering
don't rush, don't expect to play at full speed straight away, and when you can play the tune well enough solo for someone to be able to dance to, consider adding a little tasteful ornamentation
good luck
# Posted on December 4th 2009 by millionyears_bc
Re: Tunes for 2 row button accordian
I really admire that last advice. It's hard to get that kind of advice, and maybe harder to take it to heart. But that's wise advice IMO.
Thanks MYBC
# Posted on December 4th 2009 by Paul Groff
Re: Tunes for 2 row button accordian
Thanks for that glowing testimonial Paul
the knowledge that backs my advice has been hard earned
cheers mate
# Posted on December 5th 2009 by millionyears_bc