Accordion anyone?

The friendliest place on the web for anyone with an RV or an interest in RVing!
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.

DutchmenSport

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 30, 2021
Posts
1,361
Location
Anderson, Indiana
I've been playing the harmonica since I was about 6 years old. I'm now 67. I've had dozens of harmonicas over the years, different keys, from simple Blue's Harps to Chromonicas. I've never played in a group, but when I was younger I played in Church with the piano player and couple guys who played a mandolin and a dulcimer. We do our part for "Church Specials" (Those were the good old days).

When I got older, well, all those folks eventually died off (they were much older than me). I've bumped into an occasional fellow harmonica player, but that is rare.

I find it very relaxing and very enjoyable to pull out one of my harmonicas when camping, especially when I want some down-time or de-compression time. My wife enjoys the music and my dogs love to howl when I play.

When camping, because I'm using playing outside when relaxing in a lawn chair, I often get thumbs-up gestors from people walking by and kids seem to always stop and just watch and listen from a distance. I suppose "live" music is still somewhat of a nostalgic experience, even for seasoned camping people.

Fast forward. A little over a year ago my son (who is now 37) decided to surprise me. Well he did. He bought me an accordion.

There are basically two types of accordions. They key-board style and the push button style.

He got me the push-button style (which is called a Diatonic Accordion. I fiddle with the keyboard instruments some, but I do not read music. I play strictly by ear. I somehow just never learned how to "connect the dots" (literally) on a music sheet.

As a kid, my parents had an old accordion that my dad brought back with him from WW2 Germany. Neither of my parents played it, but as a kid I played WITH it.

One thing about the Keyboard Accordions is, when the billows is pumped, it doesn't matter, when you push a key, the sound is the same when you pump in or out.

With a Diatonic Accordion (push button), when you push the button and pump the billows, pumping "in" is one note, pumping "out" is another. And the button pattern is almost identical to a harmonica. (Blowing and drawing on the same hole produces 2 different notes).

THAT is the reason my son got me the Diatonic Accordion instead of the Keyboard version. First, the button parallel the harmonica notes and he thought I would be able to pick up the pattern pretty easy. And, he figured, pretty much anyone can pick up a keyboard accordion and at lest play tunes with the right hand with no problem. (And he is right). So, he wanted to get me something that not just everyone could figure out so easy (And yes, the pull - push) is totally, completely different than the keyboard.

Well, he tore me loose on that thing, and at first it was horribly awkward. Actually, he NEVER told me about the parallel (in - out) pattern with the harmonica. He let me discover this myself.

Well, I fiddled with that accordion for about 4 weeks and then I had the AH-HA moment! And BINGO. I got it! Yes, all by ear. I still do not read notes.

Well, once I was able to poke out an actual tune, I started playing with rhythm and the right hand (the cords).

So, when camping (especially during the middle of the week when campgrounds are emptied out), I'd sit for hours outside working that accordion. It was a slow process, but believe it or not, I finally got pretty good on this thing.

I've reached the point, if the tune is in my head, I can play it without even thinking about what I'm doing now. (just like the harmonica).

So, when we are at the campgrounds now, and I pull out that accordion..... well ... you think walking by and hearing someone with a guitar or a harmonica is kind of nostalgic ...... you should see the looks and bewilderment of those people when someone pulls out an accordion and is just having some fun!

Accordions play a very happy and upbeat tune. I don't think they are intended for slower melancholy type music. (Think polka style)... so yea, when I pull it out and start pumping away, I have to be in the right frame of mind too. It truly is a "happy" instrument!
 
I've been playing the harmonica since I was about 6 years old. I'm now 67. I've had dozens of harmonicas over the years, different keys, from simple Blue's Harps to Chromonicas. I've never played in a group, but when I was younger I played in Church with the piano player and couple guys who played a mandolin and a dulcimer. We do our part for "Church Specials" (Those were the good old days).

When I got older, well, all those folks eventually died off (they were much older than me). I've bumped into an occasional fellow harmonica player, but that is rare.

I find it very relaxing and very enjoyable to pull out one of my harmonicas when camping, especially when I want some down-time or de-compression time. My wife enjoys the music and my dogs love to howl when I play.

When camping, because I'm using playing outside when relaxing in a lawn chair, I often get thumbs-up gestors from people walking by and kids seem to always stop and just watch and listen from a distance. I suppose "live" music is still somewhat of a nostalgic experience, even for seasoned camping people.

Fast forward. A little over a year ago my son (who is now 37) decided to surprise me. Well he did. He bought me an accordion.

There are basically two types of accordions. They key-board style and the push button style.

He got me the push-button style (which is called a Diatonic Accordion. I fiddle with the keyboard instruments some, but I do not read music. I play strictly by ear. I somehow just never learned how to "connect the dots" (literally) on a music sheet.

As a kid, my parents had an old accordion that my dad brought back with him from WW2 Germany. Neither of my parents played it, but as a kid I played WITH it.

One thing about the Keyboard Accordions is, when the billows is pumped, it doesn't matter, when you push a key, the sound is the same when you pump in or out.

With a Diatonic Accordion (push button), when you push the button and pump the billows, pumping "in" is one note, pumping "out" is another. And the button pattern is almost identical to a harmonica. (Blowing and drawing on the same hole produces 2 different notes).

THAT is the reason my son got me the Diatonic Accordion instead of the Keyboard version. First, the button parallel the harmonica notes and he thought I would be able to pick up the pattern pretty easy. And, he figured, pretty much anyone can pick up a keyboard accordion and at lest play tunes with the right hand with no problem. (And he is right). So, he wanted to get me something that not just everyone could figure out so easy (And yes, the pull - push) is totally, completely different than the keyboard.

Well, he tore me loose on that thing, and at first it was horribly awkward. Actually, he NEVER told me about the parallel (in - out) pattern with the harmonica. He let me discover this myself.

Well, I fiddled with that accordion for about 4 weeks and then I had the AH-HA moment! And BINGO. I got it! Yes, all by ear. I still do not read notes.

Well, once I was able to poke out an actual tune, I started playing with rhythm and the right hand (the cords).

So, when camping (especially during the middle of the week when campgrounds are emptied out), I'd sit for hours outside working that accordion. It was a slow process, but believe it or not, I finally got pretty good on this thing.

I've reached the point, if the tune is in my head, I can play it without even thinking about what I'm doing now. (just like the harmonica).

So, when we are at the campgrounds now, and I pull out that accordion..... well ... you think walking by and hearing someone with a guitar or a harmonica is kind of nostalgic ...... you should see the looks and bewilderment of those people when someone pulls out an accordion and is just having some fun!

Accordions play a very happy and upbeat tune. I don't think they are intended for slower melancholy type music. (Think polka style)... so yea, when I pull it out and start pumping away, I have to be in the right frame of mind too. It truly is a "happy" instrument!
Some years back, I used to sit in on the diatonic accordion with a local band that played for tips at a nearby restaurant once a month. They ranged from pop to country to Cajon music, and Cajon was when the "squeeze box" really got a workout. One of the most requested songs was "Tear Stained Letter", a Cajon hit released by Jo-El Sonnier in 1987 that was covered by everyone from Johnny Cash to Patty Loveless. Unfortunately, my arthritic fingers can no longer manage the buttons, and the accordion has been passed on to my grandson-in-law.
 
My favorite music/camping stories goes back about 15 years to Assateague State Park. Sitting around after dinner, we heard bagpipes. A brief stroll found the piper, complete with bath towel as makeshift kilt, and a bit of a crowd gathering. When he played Yankee Doodle Dandy, it got quite a response from the crowd
 
When I first got my Trailmanor and joined a local club, one of the first trips I took with the club showed that one member played bagpipes. On the morning we left, he came out of his trailer in full outfit, kilt and all, and spent over half an hour playing while folks were visiting and saying goodbyes.

And one of my nieces had been in pipe corps when younger, and had the outfit she was in play the music at her wedding -- quite a performance, especially at the venue which was in the woods up high near Allenspark, CO. My video came out good on that, too, since I was able to have multiple cameras and a lavalier mike planted on the pastor.

Pipes are neat, up to a point...
 
I had an accordion when I was a kid. My parents took me and my brother to the music store and told us to pick an instrument. He chose the electric guitar and me the accordion. The one with the keys. I learned to read music but when I got a bit older it didn’t seem too cool an instrument. It was the 60’s and Rock n Roll was the thing.
 
My oldest son lived in France for a while, and he enjoyed traditional French music that is frequently accompanied by an accordion. A few years back he bought one and took lessons for a while. He got fairly decent since he knew piano (it was one with a keyboard), but it was one of the things dropped when his kids got older and in more activities. We enjoyed listening to the tunes he played.
 
As waterman, of course I had a concertina. But it was bulky and I wasn't very good with it. I already had harmonicas and still do. They travel well in a seabag and even the one that was recovered in the hull of a vessel that was lost while I was aboard, did recover. It is a full chromatic and the slide needed to be polished as it did not move so good after that. Yes, it is out of tune a little, but I only play it when I am alone and having it as a friend means I can't abandon it.
Matt
 
I always thought an accordian would be a neat instrument to play, but I didn't go down that road..
 
I've been playing the harmonica since I was about 6 years old. I'm now 67. I've had dozens of harmonicas over the years, different keys, from simple Blue's Harps to Chromonicas. I've never played in a group, but when I was younger I played in Church with the piano player and couple guys who played a mandolin and a dulcimer. We do our part for "Church Specials" (Those were the good old days).

When I got older, well, all those folks eventually died off (they were much older than me). I've bumped into an occasional fellow harmonica player, but that is rare.

I find it very relaxing and very enjoyable to pull out one of my harmonicas when camping, especially when I want some down-time or de-compression time. My wife enjoys the music and my dogs love to howl when I play.

When camping, because I'm using playing outside when relaxing in a lawn chair, I often get thumbs-up gestors from people walking by and kids seem to always stop and just watch and listen from a distance. I suppose "live" music is still somewhat of a nostalgic experience, even for seasoned camping people.

Fast forward. A little over a year ago my son (who is now 37) decided to surprise me. Well he did. He bought me an accordion.

There are basically two types of accordions. They key-board style and the push button style.

He got me the push-button style (which is called a Diatonic Accordion. I fiddle with the keyboard instruments some, but I do not read music. I play strictly by ear. I somehow just never learned how to "connect the dots" (literally) on a music sheet.

As a kid, my parents had an old accordion that my dad brought back with him from WW2 Germany. Neither of my parents played it, but as a kid I played WITH it.

One thing about the Keyboard Accordions is, when the billows is pumped, it doesn't matter, when you push a key, the sound is the same when you pump in or out.

With a Diatonic Accordion (push button), when you push the button and pump the billows, pumping "in" is one note, pumping "out" is another. And the button pattern is almost identical to a harmonica. (Blowing and drawing on the same hole produces 2 different notes).

THAT is the reason my son got me the Diatonic Accordion instead of the Keyboard version. First, the button parallel the harmonica notes and he thought I would be able to pick up the pattern pretty easy. And, he figured, pretty much anyone can pick up a keyboard accordion and at lest play tunes with the right hand with no problem. (And he is right). So, he wanted to get me something that not just everyone could figure out so easy (And yes, the pull - push) is totally, completely different than the keyboard.

Well, he tore me loose on that thing, and at first it was horribly awkward. Actually, he NEVER told me about the parallel (in - out) pattern with the harmonica. He let me discover this myself.

Well, I fiddled with that accordion for about 4 weeks and then I had the AH-HA moment! And BINGO. I got it! Yes, all by ear. I still do not read notes.

Well, once I was able to poke out an actual tune, I started playing with rhythm and the right hand (the cords).

So, when camping (especially during the middle of the week when campgrounds are emptied out), I'd sit for hours outside working that accordion. It was a slow process, but believe it or not, I finally got pretty good on this thing.

I've reached the point, if the tune is in my head, I can play it without even thinking about what I'm doing now. (just like the harmonica).

So, when we are at the campgrounds now, and I pull out that accordion..... well ... you think walking by and hearing someone with a guitar or a harmonica is kind of nostalgic ...... you should see the looks and bewilderment of those people when someone pulls out an accordion and is just having some fun!

Accordions play a very happy and upbeat tune. I don't think they are intended for slower melancholy type music. (Think polka style)... so yea, when I pull it out and start pumping away, I have to be in the right frame of mind too. It truly is a "happy" instrument!
As long as the dogs don't howl, you're doing good.
 
The Bay Area post (above) disturbed me. I did some Google searching and found several accordion players there. So, it must be a joke. No problem though, I have no desire to go to California. Too many other weird rules that would probably land me in jail that I have no knowledge of.

For what it's worth, I stumbled into this video on YouTube. I think this one absolutely reaches a new level! And these girls are kind of cute too! I can say that now without being criticized for being "male"... I'm now 67 years old and get away with it! I just blame it on senility! (ha! ha!)

 
It looks like the law hit another state. That's not a California plate in the photo, but Pennsylvania.

FhD718IUUAAiNOl.jpeg
nmii0gv51dg21.jpg
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
131,753
Posts
1,384,359
Members
137,524
Latest member
freetoroam
Back
Top Bottom