hey
im a 17year old button accordion player and although iv been playin 4 10year im yet to enter a solo competition (i get scared) anyway im going for it this year and i was wondering if any box players out there could recommend a coupld of ideal competition tunes...you see i dont want them to simple as i have been putting of a solo for so long i really want to prove myself so im lookin for something that if played well will give me a good chance of qualifying
PLEASEEEEE HELP MEEEE
louisianna
x x x x x x x x x x x x
Although i aint a box player, play tunes that you know and know well. Your better playing sumfing simple well than play sumfing difficult, badly. Try and strike a compromise. Play something reasonably difficult, but not that difficult that you are two nervous going up. Try and fit in a few variations as well. Just relax.
thank you for all the help so far
im not enterin the fleadh this year...im enterin next so that gives me a year to learn my tunes.
it sounds silly but iv have talked about doing a solo for so long i reallY want to push myself to do well...iv never won a trophy :(
...and i no it isnt all about the winning thats why iv neva entered before because i just love the music side...however there have been rumours they are doing away with trophies and well its always bin m dream to have one sooo...please keep replying with competition tune ideas...or even a few of your favourite tunes because i love to learn em (or just listen to them)
...and even if you are the nicest, bestest person in the world you could help me bass (i can play bass i jus never no which bass to play when...my music teacher spoon fed me and always just gave me the notes)
AGAIN PLEASE PLEASE HELP
I think everybody is leading you on the right track so far. It is better to play something boring well, than to play something interesting badly. I am not a Box player, but I do know what its like to be 17, because I am.
You guys take Basses (regulators, and other strings) for granted. Sometime I would love to play a double stop, but it just isn't possible on a Flute, and don't even get me started about tunes that go below D.
There is a cool tune called "Devanny's Goat," which is really good, and really uncommon. I learned it from a Piano Box playing friend of mine.
For competition tunes, you should play tunes which suit your instrument. For example, you should avoid playing tunes with F sharp rolls on the accordion. I always find that Paddy O'Brien's tunes are excellent for box competitions.
Hey to Lacy
I asked because some tunes just fit well on certain box setups. Like on the average 21 or 23 button B/C there's no D two octaves above middle D and some tunes want that one.
Like some of the others here, I say bring a tune you've got nailed to competition and play the hell out of it.
Otherwise, try "The Durrow," http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/1574
Billy McComiskey calls it "The Boogie Reel" on his recording "Makin' the Rounds."
As far as your bass playing goes, if you can't figure it out after 10 years because you've been spoon-fed, you'd better be listening a lot to box players who use bass, like McComiskey and Conor McCarthy, and maybe get a sampler or some software that will slow down tunes without changing the pitch so you can hear what's happening. You can start by just tapping a chord button on the upbeat to sort out the right chords for each bar. The John Williams video explains the styles with brief examples. You don't need to play bass to make good music, you just need to know where the notes are that make the tune and feel them deep when playing them.
Graham,
Why avoid F# rolls if they play easy enough on a B/C? Are they over-used in comp?
thank u 4 the advice laitch
i no what you mean when you say feel the notes that make the tune deep...when you slow a tune right down you can hear there are some notes that stand out and if you put empasis on these notes it its sort of like brings the tune to life (like makin a 2D shape 3D...if im makin sense) and i no they are the main notes to add bass to...its jus which bass???
and with f# rolls personally il try 2 add other rolls as i sometimes the too many f# rolls give a shap edge...i think other rolls give a warmer tone...again if im making sense
If you're asking "which bass?" you're still into being spoon-fed, which you're too old for. You've got to *hear* which bass note or chord to use, not *ask* which. That means listening to other players playing with the same key box as you, like McCarthy does, and taking apart their tunes to see what they're doing.
Go ahead. You take a tune in the key of D major or G major that you've got nailed, take it apart bar by bar, then beat by beat. Turn on a recorder and play a bar, tapping one bass or chord button on the upbeat or downbeat. Which bass or chord button? Run through the bar several times and try them all, every bass and chord button you've got. Play back the recording. The places in the recording where you don't scream, "god, that sucks!", those have the right chords. If they all suck, keep trying different sections of the tune or a different tune. If they all sound good, that's bad.
When and how you play bass notes and chords depends on the bass side set up. The two B/C setups I know that work well have G and D bass/chord notes available on both push and pull somewhere. Those setups are called the "McComiskey" and the "Nolan." If you've got a "Paolo Soprani" layout, then you're more limited in what you can do. My Cairdin had a Nolan, maybe yours does too.
If you look at the bass side with the buttons facing up and the bottom of the box on your left, the McComiskey B/C push/pull layout looks like this:
Keep trying to take apart the tunes of other players to help you understand. When you finally get it, remind yourself not to overdo it. McCarthy's bass playing on the recording "Ace and Deuce" is really clear and you could learn a lot from it.
hey..again
ok without tryin to get you to spoon feed me(which your are NEVER to old for)...where can i get a cd of McCarthy of MacComiskey?
and i have the nolan bass also
right im going to take your advice...im getting independent :P
im gonna sit at this here desk and take apart a tune...now if i beat up my cairdin because of this expect an email requesting a swap ...or il tell michael searson on you
quick question though. on some tunes they have guitar chords now would a guitar chord be the same as the correct bass note???...would a Gchord be a Gbass note?
Hey LA,
You can get those recordings where traditional music is normally sold---at the greengrocers, snugged between the potatoes and leeks.
If the G chord on the guitar works in the tune, then the G bass button or chord button on the accordion should work in the tune---same with other guitar chords working in the tune, if you've got them on your box. But just because you don't have a certain chord or bass the guitar is using doesn't mean you shouldn't substitute something, or not. Regardless, accordion basses and chords won't add to a tune if they're sustained too long or crammed into all the open spaces.
Use your ears, you'll get it eventually, maybe. Who knows? You won't need them to get on the "Best Box Player" list, though. Just nominate yourself.
If you beat up that Cairdin, email me the parts through this site and I'll swap them with you for spoons by return email.
Going back to the F# roll query. Since F# is on the outside row of the B/C box it is not possible to play its roll in the same flowing way that you could play a roll on the inside row, if you are using the proper technique. Usually i would change the phrasing of a tune slighty, to avoid playing the F# roll, as do many other top B/C players including Joe Burke.
accordion competition help
accordion competition help
hey
im a 17year old button accordion player and although iv been playin 4 10year im yet to enter a solo competition (i get scared) anyway im going for it this year and i was wondering if any box players out there could recommend a coupld of ideal competition tunes...you see i dont want them to simple as i have been putting of a solo for so long i really want to prove myself so im lookin for something that if played well will give me a good chance of qualifying
PLEASEEEEE HELP MEEEE
louisianna
x x x x x x x x x x x x
# Posted on March 9th 2006 by lacylu11
Re: accordion competition help
I'm sure almost everyone else would tell you this:
play something you know really well....... don't learn a tune specially for a competition.
# Posted on March 9th 2006 by flamin fiddler
Re: accordion competition help
but if you must, I think The Kylebrack Ramblers and The Graf Spee make a great set on the box.
# Posted on March 9th 2006 by Martin Milner
Re: accordion competition help
Although i aint a box player, play tunes that you know and know well. Your better playing sumfing simple well than play sumfing difficult, badly. Try and strike a compromise. Play something reasonably difficult, but not that difficult that you are two nervous going up. Try and fit in a few variations as well. Just relax.
# Posted on March 9th 2006 by garyfitz123
Re: accordion competition help
thank you for all the help so far
im not enterin the fleadh this year...im enterin next so that gives me a year to learn my tunes.
it sounds silly but iv have talked about doing a solo for so long i reallY want to push myself to do well...iv never won a trophy :(
...and i no it isnt all about the winning thats why iv neva entered before because i just love the music side...however there have been rumours they are doing away with trophies and well its always bin m dream to have one sooo...please keep replying with competition tune ideas...or even a few of your favourite tunes because i love to learn em (or just listen to them)
...and even if you are the nicest, bestest person in the world you could help me bass (i can play bass i jus never no which bass to play when...my music teacher spoon fed me and always just gave me the notes)
AGAIN PLEASE PLEASE HELP
# Posted on March 9th 2006 by lacylu11
Re: accordion competition help
readin back...i dont half make sum terrible typing mistakes
# Posted on March 9th 2006 by lacylu11
Re: accordion competition help
What keys are your Cairdin's rows in?
# Posted on March 10th 2006 by joesmith
Re: accordion competition help
I think everybody is leading you on the right track so far. It is better to play something boring well, than to play something interesting badly. I am not a Box player, but I do know what its like to be 17, because I am.
You guys take Basses (regulators, and other strings) for granted. Sometime I would love to play a double stop, but it just isn't possible on a Flute, and don't even get me started about tunes that go below D.
There is a cool tune called "Devanny's Goat," which is really good, and really uncommon. I learned it from a Piano Box playing friend of mine.
# Posted on March 10th 2006 by Unseen122
Re: accordion competition help
hey to laitch my cairdin is in b/c
why do u ask?
louisianna
# Posted on March 10th 2006 by lacylu11
Re: accordion competition help
For competition tunes, you should play tunes which suit your instrument. For example, you should avoid playing tunes with F sharp rolls on the accordion. I always find that Paddy O'Brien's tunes are excellent for box competitions.
# Posted on March 10th 2006 by Graham Guerin
Re: accordion competition help
Hey to Lacy
I asked because some tunes just fit well on certain box setups. Like on the average 21 or 23 button B/C there's no D two octaves above middle D and some tunes want that one.
Like some of the others here, I say bring a tune you've got nailed to competition and play the hell out of it.
Otherwise, try "The Durrow," http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/1574
Billy McComiskey calls it "The Boogie Reel" on his recording "Makin' the Rounds."
As far as your bass playing goes, if you can't figure it out after 10 years because you've been spoon-fed, you'd better be listening a lot to box players who use bass, like McComiskey and Conor McCarthy, and maybe get a sampler or some software that will slow down tunes without changing the pitch so you can hear what's happening. You can start by just tapping a chord button on the upbeat to sort out the right chords for each bar. The John Williams video explains the styles with brief examples. You don't need to play bass to make good music, you just need to know where the notes are that make the tune and feel them deep when playing them.
Graham,
Why avoid F# rolls if they play easy enough on a B/C? Are they over-used in comp?
# Posted on March 10th 2006 by joesmith
Re: accordion competition help
thank u 4 the advice laitch
i no what you mean when you say feel the notes that make the tune deep...when you slow a tune right down you can hear there are some notes that stand out and if you put empasis on these notes it its sort of like brings the tune to life (like makin a 2D shape 3D...if im makin sense) and i no they are the main notes to add bass to...its jus which bass???
and with f# rolls personally il try 2 add other rolls as i sometimes the too many f# rolls give a shap edge...i think other rolls give a warmer tone...again if im making sense
do you enter the fleadh yourself??
again thank you for you tune ideas
# Posted on March 10th 2006 by lacylu11
Re: accordion competition help
Lacy,
Nope, don't go to the fleadh to compete.
If you're asking "which bass?" you're still into being spoon-fed, which you're too old for
. You've got to *hear* which bass note or chord to use, not *ask* which. That means listening to other players playing with the same key box as you, like McCarthy does, and taking apart their tunes to see what they're doing.
Go ahead. You take a tune in the key of D major or G major that you've got nailed, take it apart bar by bar, then beat by beat. Turn on a recorder and play a bar, tapping one bass or chord button on the upbeat or downbeat. Which bass or chord button? Run through the bar several times and try them all, every bass and chord button you've got. Play back the recording. The places in the recording where you don't scream, "god, that sucks!", those have the right chords.
If they all suck, keep trying different sections of the tune or a different tune. If they all sound good, that's bad.
When and how you play bass notes and chords depends on the bass side set up. The two B/C setups I know that work well have G and D bass/chord notes available on both push and pull somewhere. Those setups are called the "McComiskey" and the "Nolan." If you've got a "Paolo Soprani" layout, then you're more limited in what you can do. My Cairdin had a Nolan, maybe yours does too.
If you look at the bass side with the buttons facing up and the bottom of the box on your left, the McComiskey B/C push/pull layout looks like this:
Dbass/Fbass Dchord/Fchord Ebass/Abass Echord/Achord
Cbass/Gbass Cchord/Gchord Gbass/Dbass Gchord/Dchord
The Nolan looks like this:
Cbass/Fbass Cchord/Fchord Ebass/Abass Echord/Achord
Dbass/Gbass Dchord/Gchord Gbass/Dbass Gchord/Dchord
Keep trying to take apart the tunes of other players to help you understand. When you finally get it, remind yourself not to overdo it. McCarthy's bass playing on the recording "Ace and Deuce" is really clear and you could learn a lot from it.
# Posted on March 10th 2006 by joesmith
Re: accordion competition help
hey..again
ok without tryin to get you to spoon feed me(which your are NEVER to old for)...where can i get a cd of McCarthy of MacComiskey?
and i have the nolan bass also
right im going to take your advice...im getting independent :P
im gonna sit at this here desk and take apart a tune...now if i beat up my cairdin because of this expect an email requesting a swap ...or il tell michael searson on you
quick question though. on some tunes they have guitar chords now would a guitar chord be the same as the correct bass note???...would a Gchord be a Gbass note?
# Posted on March 10th 2006 by lacylu11
Re: accordion competition help
Hey LA,
You can get those recordings where traditional music is normally sold---at the greengrocers, snugged between the potatoes and leeks.
If the G chord on the guitar works in the tune, then the G bass button or chord button on the accordion should work in the tune---same with other guitar chords working in the tune, if you've got them on your box. But just because you don't have a certain chord or bass the guitar is using doesn't mean you shouldn't substitute something, or not. Regardless, accordion basses and chords won't add to a tune if they're sustained too long or crammed into all the open spaces.
Use your ears, you'll get it eventually, maybe. Who knows? You won't need them to get on the "Best Box Player" list, though. Just nominate yourself.
If you beat up that Cairdin, email me the parts through this site and I'll swap them with you for spoons by return email.
# Posted on March 10th 2006 by joesmith
Re: accordion competition help
Going back to the F# roll query. Since F# is on the outside row of the B/C box it is not possible to play its roll in the same flowing way that you could play a roll on the inside row, if you are using the proper technique. Usually i would change the phrasing of a tune slighty, to avoid playing the F# roll, as do many other top B/C players including Joe Burke.
# Posted on March 13th 2006 by Graham Guerin