Hi folks!
I never usually "do" discussion-type stuff on the internet, but I've already been printing out tunes from this site like a kid in a candy store, so here goes...
I've recently joined a band that does celtic and Newfie music, and we like to throw in some trad tunes- does anyone have some recommendations for tunes that sound really kick-ass on the accordion? I really love minor key-ish, fast stuff, but any suggestions would be appreciated. As the only melody instrument in the band, I would love to find some tunes that don't just make me sound like a poor substitute for a fiddle! (Not that the mighty accordion IS a poor sub for a fiddle, but you know what I mean...)
Cheers!
Karen Tweed recorded two albums of Irish Session tunes with an accompanying book. These were "Drops of Springwater" and "The Silver Spire". Surprisingly, they are not listed in the recording section. I'll maybe do this later today. There's lots of tunes on these albums that would do. You can buy them from David Mallinson Music. http://www.mally.com/
Re the above, accordionist. Please check the recordings section as I've now posted details of these two albums. Many of the tunes are already on this site but you'll find that Karen has slightly different settings for some of them so you can always check out her book , if you wish.
Don't forget to check Alan & John Kelly's "Fourmilehouse" (http://thesession.org/recordings/display.php/319). I think there is nothing wrong with your piano accordion. Here in Leeds, piano accordion is the most dominant instrument. Last night I heard three big box players playing together in the session.
Catharsis was written by fiddler and contra dance caller Amy Cann, and it's loads of fun to play. Amy was calling a dance that we were playing, and when it was announced that we were going to play Catharsis (hoping she would join in), she kinda rolled her eyes, like maybe she'd heard enough of that tune. Kate
Its not when you play that makes the difference, its when you don't play.
The gaps in the tune make it bouncy, not the tune. You can brighten most tunes up by the way you play them.
You know, I still find it freaky the way you can name a tune, and people you have never met (and probably never will meet) know it and can discuss it. Sorry, just thought I'd put that in...
thanks for the tunes and tips, guys. It's funny a lot of you mentioned Catharsis, because I actually have to learn that for a song we're doing- weird, eh?
Tunes in A Mjor sound great on the accordion. Try Monaghan Twig, Boys of Malin (excellent), Ivy Leaf,and The Linen Cap. As for minor ones, my favs: Fermoy Lasses, Sporting Paddy, Glass of Beer, Down the Broom, Sailing into Walpole's Marsh, Drunken Landlady, Corner House, New Mown Meadow, Concert Reel, Morning Dew, Swallow's Tail, Ormond Sound, Broken Pledge, and if you want a real challenge, try the Kylebrack Rambler, its a cracker. As for jigs, Apples in Winter, Walls of Liscarrol (both superb) Mug of Brown Ale, Around the World for Sport (recording by 'Red Shift') Price of My Pig, Whelan's, and Boys of Tandernagee (recording by Arcady). That should keep you busy for a month or two!
Help a poor piano accordion player out!
Help a poor piano accordion player out!
Hi folks!
I never usually "do" discussion-type stuff on the internet, but I've already been printing out tunes from this site like a kid in a candy store, so here goes...
I've recently joined a band that does celtic and Newfie music, and we like to throw in some trad tunes- does anyone have some recommendations for tunes that sound really kick-ass on the accordion? I really love minor key-ish, fast stuff, but any suggestions would be appreciated. As the only melody instrument in the band, I would love to find some tunes that don't just make me sound like a poor substitute for a fiddle! (Not that the mighty accordion IS a poor sub for a fiddle, but you know what I mean...)
Cheers!
# Posted on June 1st 2004 by accordionista
Re: Help a poor piano accordion player out!
Minor? Try the Coleraine. That would probably sound really cool on the accordion as well.
-Max
# Posted on June 1st 2004 by Max Becher
Re: Help a poor piano accordion player out!
Ooh, I bet Will's "Bang your Frog on the Sofa" would sound good too. I'm just guessing, on both of these though.
-Max
# Posted on June 1st 2004 by Max Becher
Re: Help a poor piano accordion player out!
hey, have you ever heard the tune Catharsis?
It's minor (i think) and sounds really good, but it's not too difficult, well not on the flute anyway.
# Posted on June 1st 2004 by Folkie Junkie
Re: Help a poor piano accordion player out!
Karen Tweed recorded two albums of Irish Session tunes with an accompanying book. These were "Drops of Springwater" and "The Silver Spire". Surprisingly, they are not listed in the recording section. I'll maybe do this later today. There's lots of tunes on these albums that would do. You can buy them from David Mallinson Music.
http://www.mally.com/
# Posted on June 1st 2004 by Johnny Jay
Re: Help a poor piano accordion player out!
Re the above, accordionist. Please check the recordings section as I've now posted details of these two albums. Many of the tunes are already on this site but you'll find that Karen has slightly different settings for some of them so you can always check out her book , if you wish.
John
# Posted on June 1st 2004 by Johnny Jay
Re: Help a poor piano accordion player out!
Don't forget to check Alan & John Kelly's "Fourmilehouse" (http://thesession.org/recordings/display.php/319). I think there is nothing wrong with your piano accordion. Here in Leeds, piano accordion is the most dominant instrument. Last night I heard three big box players playing together in the session.
# Posted on June 1st 2004 by slainte
Re: Help a poor piano accordion player out!
Catharsis is a great tune - although while it may be easy on the accordion, I certainly find it is a bit of a finger twister on the banjo!
Apparently it was written by a fiddle teacher as an excercise, hence the tricksy second part.
# Posted on June 1st 2004 by nick b
Re: Help a poor piano accordion player out!
Catharsis was written by fiddler and contra dance caller Amy Cann, and it's loads of fun to play. Amy was calling a dance that we were playing, and when it was announced that we were going to play Catharsis (hoping she would join in), she kinda rolled her eyes, like maybe she'd heard enough of that tune. Kate
# Posted on June 2nd 2004 by rocking bow
Re: Help a poor piano accordion player out!
Catharsis is in g minor, btw.
# Posted on June 2nd 2004 by rocking bow
Re: Help a poor piano accordion player out!
Its not when you play that makes the difference, its when you don't play.
The gaps in the tune make it bouncy, not the tune. You can brighten most tunes up by the way you play them.
# Posted on June 2nd 2004 by geoffwright
Re: Help a poor piano accordion player out!
You know, I still find it freaky the way you can name a tune, and people you have never met (and probably never will meet) know it and can discuss it. Sorry, just thought I'd put that in...
# Posted on June 2nd 2004 by Folkie Junkie
Re: Help a poor piano accordion player out!
Just thought of another good one: The Rambling Pitchfork.
-Max
# Posted on June 2nd 2004 by Max Becher
Re: Help a poor piano accordion player out!
thanks for the tunes and tips, guys. It's funny a lot of you mentioned Catharsis, because I actually have to learn that for a song we're doing- weird, eh?
# Posted on June 2nd 2004 by accordionista
Re: Help a poor piano accordion player out!
Tunes in A Mjor sound great on the accordion. Try Monaghan Twig, Boys of Malin (excellent), Ivy Leaf,and The Linen Cap. As for minor ones, my favs: Fermoy Lasses, Sporting Paddy, Glass of Beer, Down the Broom, Sailing into Walpole's Marsh, Drunken Landlady, Corner House, New Mown Meadow, Concert Reel, Morning Dew, Swallow's Tail, Ormond Sound, Broken Pledge, and if you want a real challenge, try the Kylebrack Rambler, its a cracker. As for jigs, Apples in Winter, Walls of Liscarrol (both superb) Mug of Brown Ale, Around the World for Sport (recording by 'Red Shift') Price of My Pig, Whelan's, and Boys of Tandernagee (recording by Arcady). That should keep you busy for a month or two!
# Posted on June 11th 2004 by petemay
Re: Help a poor piano accordion player out!
P.S. I've put the ABCs for Around the World for Sport, and Boys of Tandernagee, on the session website, as the music's a bit scarce.
# Posted on June 11th 2004 by petemay