Any accordian players here?

Zymurgy

Old Man with a Hat
FCBO Gold Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2012
Messages
6,635
Reaction score
7,472
Location
London, Ohio
I don't know why but I have always wanted accordian. One popped up near me and I planned to go see. I have never played one so I called a cousin who has one, in Virginia and he gave me some advice.

Then I decided to call a guy that repairs different instruments and found out he has repaired them and actually has a couple. He offered to have me come over and play one since I never actually had before.

He has an old one that was his dad's and the only one he plays. He said we will play the other one. He pulled out the case and it was this pristine Scandalli red and pearlescent cream. The picture doesn't do it justice.

After playing it he said would you be interested in this one. Hell yes it looks brand new, he offered me a deal I couldn't refuse.

IMG_3126.jpg
 
Painting, old cars, lense making, jukeboxes, and now accordions. Methinks your plate is getting a little full.:lol:
 
I don't know why but I have always wanted accordian. One popped up near me and I planned to go see. I have never played one so I called a cousin who has one, in Virginia and he gave me some advice.

Then I decided to call a guy that repairs different instruments and found out he has repaired them and actually has a couple. He offered to have me come over and play one since I never actually had before.

He has an old one that was his dad's and the only one he plays. He said we will play the other one. He pulled out the case and it was this pristine Scandalli red and pearlescent cream. The picture doesn't do it justice.

After playing it he said would you be interested in this one. Hell yes it looks brand new, he offered me a deal I couldn't refuse.

View attachment 327794

Just don't learn the "Too Fat Polka" or your wife will throw you out of the house.

Dave
 
Get yourself the right wardrobe, and we'll be there for Oktoberfest
View attachment 327796

My wife and I have been going to our local Oktoberfest since our 20s. There was a short German lady Ester, who played the accordion, she was an institution. Dancing and drinking while she played is probably why I have always enjoyed it.
 
All comic references aside, one of my favourite combinations is accordion and clarinet. Buddy DeFranco did some jazz with Tommy Gumina (Buddy DeFranco with accordion - Google Search), as well as there are some fabulous Italian accordion and clarinet pieces that are simply beautiful.

Congratulations on your purchase - now - a word to the wise - take some lessons and get started off right!
 
My Mon played the accordian as well as the piano - she was marvelous! Such great memories!
 
Get yourself the right wardrobe, and we'll be there for Oktoberfest
View attachment 327796
With an accordion, and this outfit, you'll look just like everyone else in Wisconsin !!! My older sister, and a couple of my uncles played accordion, sister still does occasionally, uncles are gone. It's good, happy beer drinking music! And another thing, I've seen plenty of fat women dancing and laughing to the 'Too Fat Polka'.
Maybe that's where plenty of beer comes in. Maybe put some '300' emblems on that accordion and dress it up a bit. Ein Prosit !
 
All comic references aside, one of my favourite combinations is accordion and clarinet. Buddy DeFranco did some jazz with Tommy Gumina (Buddy DeFranco with accordion - Google Search), as well as there are some fabulous Italian accordion and clarinet pieces that are simply beautiful.

Congratulations on your purchase - now - a word to the wise - take some lessons and get started off right!

Thanks Ross, the first thing I did was try and find a teacher. No luck so far but I have some music friends who helped find a tuba instructor for me. In fact I am going to a concert he is conducting tomorrow night.

I know that is really the key in learning a new instrument.
 
When I was in Junior High, Mom found an medium sized accordion at the pawn shop she couldn't pass up. She had a full size one, but she thought we needed to learn how to play on a smaller one. She taught piano lessons, and could play a fair number of songs on the accordion. I didn't have much choice but to add Accordion to my Piano and Tenor Sax Skills. I also found an electric guitar at the same pawn shop, but never did master it. My skills in Junior high in this order were: Piano, Sax, Accordion, and guitar. I did learn the Beer Barrel Polka on the accordion. In high school I was down to just the Sax. I haven't touched any of these for a number of years.
Good luck with your learning. If you can read notes or play the piano you will have a head start.
Back in Junior high you could buy accordion lesson books at the music store. Not sure if accordion music books are as plentiful today.
 
IMG_0019.JPG
Very cool! You are never too old to learn something new, not to mention fun. My dad played the accordian and he tried teaching me when I was in grade school but I just couldn't get the hang of it. I was a rocker so I picked up bass and drums. It's all about the rhythm. My dad died in '03 and just recently my mom gave his accordian to my son & I. I'm having fun with it now and so is my son. He has some serious musical talent as he plays guitar, bass and drums. He picks things up quickly, never having any formal training in any instrument. This accordian is from around early to mid '40s and is in remarkable condition with amazing sound. I know my grandparents didn't have a lot of money so this was a big purchase to buy this for my dad along with his lessons. It is such a nice feeling to be the caretaker of dad's accordian and to carry on the tradition of playing it. It has to be cool if Bruce Springsteen can incorporate accordian arrangements into some of his songs. I'm still a rocker.
 
View attachment 328063 Very cool! You are never too old to learn something new, not to mention fun. My dad played the accordian and he tried teaching me when I was in grade school but I just couldn't get the hang of it. I was a rocker so I picked up bass and drums. It's all about the rhythm. My dad died in '03 and just recently my mom gave his accordian to my son & I. I'm having fun with it now and so is my son. He has some serious musical talent as he plays guitar, bass and drums. He picks things up quickly, never having any formal training in any instrument. This accordian is from around early to mid '40s and is in remarkable condition with amazing sound. I know my grandparents didn't have a lot of money so this was a big purchase to buy this for my dad along with his lessons. It is such a nice feeling to be the caretaker of dad's accordian and to carry on the tradition of playing it. It has to be cool if Bruce Springsteen can incorporate accordian arrangements into some of his songs. I'm still a rocker.
Very nice thanks for sharing the story and the picture.
 
Officially picked up my accordion last night. I have ordered some lessons books and have a couple of my friends looking into finding a teacher for me.

20191105_181655.jpg
20191105_181643.jpg
20191105_181543.jpg
 
Back
Top