Accordion Advice Sought

[HCMarkus]

I'd like to pick up an inexpensive accordion to mess around with and add some acoustic flavor to recordings that call for it. Any advice you can share on models that you like, caveats or recommendations will be appreciated!

[stubbsonic]

Have you thought about a melodica? They are quite a bit cheaper, and have a nice shallow learning curve. I know it is a different animal, but it does add a nice quality to a track. And being able to control the dynamics with breath is really nice.

Accordions are so nice, especially because of the bass sounds. I had an old honor student model that was easy to figure out. Had a nice sound, but was a one-trick pony.

[HCMarkus]

Thanks Stubbs; I'm ok with a single-trick horsey. I may get a melodica, but am interested in accordions, too.I love breath control; use it with MIDI all the time!

[Babz]

I'd like to see someone post something encouraging here, but unfortunately that person wouldn't be me. I tried to mess around with one once and it was actually much harder than I thought. First you have to get used to smaller keys, and on a different dimensional plane, and buttons for chords ... then there's the whole pumping thing ... Just one more thing to worry about ... Not quite as bad as trying to learn to ride a unicycle at the same time, but leaning in that direction. The accordion iPad app I tried all ended in tears as well. Maybe if I'd had more patience and some guidance ... but just not for me. I'd rather just find a good sample library ...

But hopefully we have someone with better experience out there ... I'd love to hear from someone who actually LIKES playing them.

Babz

[Tritonemusic]

I used to play and won some trophies between ages 5-7. Hahaha! I don't usually admit to that one.

However, you could offer me a million dollars to play one today, and I would probably sound worse than a beginner, at best. I switched to guitar at age 12 and never looked back.

One thing I do remember: If you purchase a used accordian, make sure the bellows aren't cracked. If an accordian isn't used for a long time, and the bellows aren't worked, they will get brittle and become worthless.

[HCMarkus]

I'm not looking to achieve artistic brilliance on accordian; most likely use would be in an "indie" context, where expressive imperfection is vital.

Good advise on the bellows condition tritone... let's roll out the barrels!

[Tritonemusic]

Sorry for drifting OT...I met Frankie Yankovic during my "accordian prime", and he told me (this is the truth!), "If you practice everyday for six hours a day, you might get almost as good as me" (he never heard me play). LOL! I think I was about six years old.

[Prime Mover]

I'm not looking to achieve artistic brilliance on accordian; most likely use would be in an "indie" context, where expressive imperfection is vital.

Lol, I think "Indie" context is about feeling like you could do just as good as the artist, and are uncomfortable about putting them on a pedestal.

This is why I pretty much detest the Indie scene. I know lots of Indie rockers, and although I like them personally, it really gets my goat. I feel like it's a "genre" built around making sure the artist isn't too good, they're just a normal Joe playing their heart out "just like you!" I'm sorry, I've studied my entire life to be a moderately good musician, and I like to listen to musicians who can do stuff I never could... I like to listen to them BECAUSE they can do stuff I can't. I don't want to be coddled and told that I could be up on this stage too. Because when I finally am on that stage, I want to feel like I worked very hard to get there.

sorry, </rant>

[adriano]

I'd like to see someone post something encouraging here, but unfortunately that person wouldn't be me. I tried to mess around with one once and it was actually much harder than I thought. First you have to get used to smaller keys, and on a different dimensional plane, and buttons for chords ... then there's the whole pumping thing ... Just one more thing to worry about ... Not quite as bad as trying to learn to ride a unicycle at the same time, but leaning in that direction. The accordion iPad app I tried all ended in tears as well. Maybe if I'd had more patience and some guidance ... but just not for me. I'd rather just find a good sample library ...

But hopefully we have someone with better experience out there ... I'd love to hear from someone who actually LIKES playing them.

Babz

Hi Babz,

Try this link http://www.bestservice.de/en/accordions.html
The library was created by Eduardo Tarilonte (Best Service). I do own all of his libraries, but not the accordions, I just never needed it.

Adriano

[HCMarkus]

I'm not looking to achieve artistic brilliance on accordian; most likely use would be in an "indie" context, where expressive imperfection is vital.

Lol, I think "Indie" context is about feeling like you could do just as good as the artist, and are uncomfortable about putting them on a pedestal.

This is why I pretty much detest the Indie scene. I know lots of Indie rockers, and although I like them personally, it really gets my goat. I feel like it's a "genre" built around making sure the artist isn't too good, they're just a normal Joe playing their heart out "just like you!" I'm sorry, I've studied my entire life to be a moderately good musician, and I like to listen to musicians who can do stuff I never could... I like to listen to them BECAUSE they can do stuff I can't. I don't want to be coddled and told that I could be up on this stage too. Because when I finally am on that stage, I want to feel like I worked very hard to get there.

sorry, </rant>

Congratulations. Back to the accordian, which I now plan on mastering...

[Tonio]

You go HC Isn't there an accordion player (accordianist?) in Little Italy??

[mikehalloran]

The best inexpensive accordions are found in small towns where there used to be a big music center offering lessons and forming Accordion Bands - yes, really. You will find 50-60 year old instruments in nearly new condition in second hand shops and as trade-ins in music stores. These have been hiding under beds and in closets for decades, long after the parents who paid for them have either departed or no longer remember the in$ane amount of money that was originally paid.

Knowing this, I paid very little for an excellent instrument a decade ago. The town was Rancho Cordova, CA where I lived between the ages of 4 and 15. Cordova Music Center (the perpetrator of the original crime) being long gone, I walked into the only music store in town and asked if they had any used accordions. I had my pick of over 20 and the store owner was quite glad to sell me one. All I remember is that it's 120 bass, probably in perfect shape still and that it was made in Italy - and that it's sitting unused in my basement next to all of my analog gear.

I used it on a couple of projects. My wife and daughter have always threatened to bring it out now that I no longer play. I no longer take them seriously on that subject.

You want to check that the bellows are good and that the metal reeds aren't tarnished - this is done by checking to see if it plays in tune.

Your standard piano accordions come in three flavors: 12 bass, 48 bass and 120 bass where the buttons repeat many of the chords.

I had a 48 bass instrument that I played live. The intonation suffered to the point that, when it was accidentally left behind at a gig, I didn't bother to retrieve it. The band never asked me to get another so I never bothered.

[HCMarkus]

Thanks for all the replies folks.

Tonio: Little Italy, yes, but I want to DIY this.

Great stuff Mike. I appreicate your input and advice.

[SixStringGeek]

I can't help you with the accordion - I had my fill of the awful things living in Paris.

OTOH, if you're looking for bagpipes, there's a guy in a house across the alley behind my studio who I hear practicing most afternoons...

[BKK-OZ]

Pls don't get mad at me - said with humor - but my advice is to forget the accordion altogether!

Can't stand their wheezing uber harmonica sound, sorry!
If there was an anti-accordion club, I would join!


But you shouldn't listen to me, if it makes you happy, go for it.