Hello all,
i'm interested in buying a button accordion and after a small research iv'e done,i still have a couple of questions left. first, what does it mean "two voices" or three voices ? do all boxes have this option? i was recommneded to buy the hohner black dot...does it have this so called "voices" option too ? do i need it as a beginner ?
can anyone recommend of a good book to study from ?
"Voices" are the number of reeds that sound simultaneously for each note.
There are some "single voice" button accordions, but most have 2 or 3 treble voices, and some have more.
The Hohner Black Dot is an OK beginner's box but it is only available in B/C tuning, whereas some other beginner's boxes are also available in C#/D. Depending on the box players you like listening to, you might want to pursue C#/D. I believe that Weltmeister has some models that might suit your needs. Give the folks at ButtonBox (in the U.S.) or the Music Room (UK) a call.
Cheers,
Andy
If you use the search function in the Discussions section and type in key words like "accordion", "voices", or "button box" you will find plenty of discussion on this topic. You could start with this one.
Make arrangements to go to shops or festivals to listen to and discuss the instruments, if you can, to avoid the unpleasant surprise of purchasing an instrument that doesn't sound or feel like you thought it would.
Some folks see dead people, we accordion players hear voices! ha ha.
You need at least two voices if you don't want your accordion to sound like a concertina, but more voices than that, and more stops, pushes up the price. Some cheaper accordion choices include the Hohner black dot, the Learner Billy McComisky model, and getting a little better in quality, the Weltmeister boxes. But in my experience, you would be better off saving a little money and buy one of the less expensive Castingari or Saltarelle accordions.
But do LOTS of research, there are lots of tunings, bass button setups, and other options to chose from. Also, make sure to find a repair shop near you, or available by mail, etc, etc.
Lots of luck,
AL Brown
And not only do these things push up the price, but they also push up the weight. For session playing, using more than two voices can overpower the other instruments. If you're going to play for dancers or do solo concerts or recordings, you might want more, but a beginner really doesn't need lots of voices. A number of top players get along quite nicely with two. Others make effective use of four.
jesus, this is so confusing...
oh well, beck to researching i guess. the thing is i live in israel and the only research i can do is on the internet...
anyway, thanks a million for all your comments!
some questions regarding a button accordion
some questions regarding a button accordion
Hello all,
i'm interested in buying a button accordion and after a small research iv'e done,i still have a couple of questions left. first, what does it mean "two voices" or three voices ? do all boxes have this option? i was recommneded to buy the hohner black dot...does it have this so called "voices" option too ? do i need it as a beginner ?
can anyone recommend of a good book to study from ?
thanks very much
Assaf.
# Posted on February 6th 2005 by inigo
Re: some questions regarding a button accordion
"Voices" are the number of reeds that sound simultaneously for each note.
There are some "single voice" button accordions, but most have 2 or 3 treble voices, and some have more.
The Hohner Black Dot is an OK beginner's box but it is only available in B/C tuning, whereas some other beginner's boxes are also available in C#/D. Depending on the box players you like listening to, you might want to pursue C#/D. I believe that Weltmeister has some models that might suit your needs. Give the folks at ButtonBox (in the U.S.) or the Music Room (UK) a call.
Cheers,
Andy
# Posted on February 6th 2005 by A.D. Homan
Re: some questions regarding a button accordion
Andy sums it up well.
If you use the search function in the Discussions section and type in key words like "accordion", "voices", or "button box" you will find plenty of discussion on this topic. You could start with this one.
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/5720
Make arrangements to go to shops or festivals to listen to and discuss the instruments, if you can, to avoid the unpleasant surprise of purchasing an instrument that doesn't sound or feel like you thought it would.
# Posted on February 6th 2005 by ∅
Re: some questions regarding a button accordion
Some folks see dead people, we accordion players hear voices! ha ha.
You need at least two voices if you don't want your accordion to sound like a concertina, but more voices than that, and more stops, pushes up the price. Some cheaper accordion choices include the Hohner black dot, the Learner Billy McComisky model, and getting a little better in quality, the Weltmeister boxes. But in my experience, you would be better off saving a little money and buy one of the less expensive Castingari or Saltarelle accordions.
But do LOTS of research, there are lots of tunings, bass button setups, and other options to chose from. Also, make sure to find a repair shop near you, or available by mail, etc, etc.
Lots of luck,
AL Brown
# Posted on February 7th 2005 by AlBrown
Re: some questions regarding a button accordion
And not only do these things push up the price, but they also push up the weight. For session playing, using more than two voices can overpower the other instruments. If you're going to play for dancers or do solo concerts or recordings, you might want more, but a beginner really doesn't need lots of voices. A number of top players get along quite nicely with two. Others make effective use of four.
# Posted on February 7th 2005 by GaryAMartin
Re: some questions regarding a button accordion
jesus, this is so confusing...
oh well, beck to researching i guess. the thing is i live in israel and the only research i can do is on the internet...
anyway, thanks a million for all your comments!
assaf.
# Posted on February 8th 2005 by inigo