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A place for accordion students to talk to an experienced teacher.
About Me
- Kris Hughes
- I have taught the piano accordion in Edinburgh, Scotland for over 20 years. I love teaching and now want to share my knowledge and experience with more students, especially those who can't find a teacher locally. I have been playing music since I was 4 years old (so that would be 46 years) starting with piano and moving on to woodwinds. I developed a keen interest in traditional music in my teens, took up the accordion in my 20s, and now concentrate on traditional Scots and Irish music. However, my tuition style includes a lot of help with technique and creative ways to practise, understanding the basics of music, improving the student's ear. Much more than just learning tune after tune! I enjoy performing, and have played in several successful folk and ceilidh bands over the years. However, my first love remains teaching. I aim to help students become the musician they want to be.
5 comments:
I have a 48 bass accordion. I love it!! Sometimes I wish I had gotten one with even less bass keys. Maybe a 24 or 12 just to start off though I know it would be limiting but that is okay. Check out MySpace :
http://www.myspace.com/bigdaddykahuna2 and watch the first video under the heading "Movies" and watch a classic Austin City Limits segement of the famous TEXAS TORNADOS. The Accordion Player and singer DOUG SAHM is playing what appears to be a 12 bass accordion. This is the kind of music I want to play. Tejano,Polka,Cajun etc..I LOVE IT!!!!!!
Hi Mike! I remember that old Austin City Limits series - I lived in the US at that time. I will check that video out when I get the chance. Will also reply to the email you sent me very soon.
Kris
Well, I have a 12-bass, and I guess the only thing that seriously irritates me about it is that the keyboard only offers about an octave and a half. It's not the basses that are so limiting.
It is nice to carry a lighter instrument, though. I have an old Excelsior which feels like I'm wearing a baby grand piano, and for that reason, I rarely play it.
Angie in Texas, US
Hi there, Angie. Welcome!
The question of small vs large accordion is a vexed one, isn't it? For a long time I preferred small ones. Partly because they are easier to carry - and that is a valid consideration depending on your lifestyle and strength. Part of my attitude about this was a kind of inverted snobbery, though - and this attitude is not uncommon on the folk and traditional music scene.
Eventually, I wanted to access the versatility of a big 5 voice 120 bass accordion, though - and the surprising thing was that I found it much easier to play than the smaller acordions I had played before. It sits very solidly in my lap (assuming the straps are adjusted the way I want them) and the depth of the bass end actually makes it easier to use my forearm on the bellows the way I want to. Not to mention that the large air volume of a big bellows means I don't have to open it as far to play a given passage of music as I would on a small box.
So am I saying bigger is better? It depends. I believe bigger is easier to play unless you are very small - at least if you are seated, hold the accordion efficiently and have your straps the right length.
I play as small light accordion for Irish stuff - it has the right sound to my ear, but I do find some aspects of the bellows control harder and my posture isn't as good.
As for a 12 bass - no, I couldn't live without minor chords!
Kris
I play an eighty bass Titano Polka Master for playing Irish music. It's perfect for me. I also have a 120 Fila but much prefer the smaller Titano. Besides it looks good,too.
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