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Anyone here play accordion? I'm looking into taking up the instrument and would love any input.
Cheers,
Jeremy
I play the Diatonic Accordion (aka. squeeze box) Which is what you see when watching someone play cajun music. But im guessing you are talking about a Chromatic box, which has piano keys. Those I know nothing about.
clayton
Hello!
Actually, I'm looking at buying a 3-row diatonic button accordion. Is that what you play? Right now I'm leaning toward the Hohner Panther, which is supposed to be a good starter instrument. That will allow me to get my feet wet and determine if I'm really going to stick with this, then I can buy a more expensive instrument in a couple of years.
Do you have any advice on some good reference and self-teaching books? Have you ever had your instrument serviced, and if so, any recommendations? I realize it's likely I'll have to ship my instrument off.
Cheers,
Jeremy
Honer is a great brand for starting as that was my first box. I had both a single and triple row. As for servicing, I always did my own as I was actually taught how to make the cajun version by a 73 year old cajun guy who spoke no english. For this i had to sleep in his shop on a cot for 2 months while I learned. There are less then 10 people who make a decent cajun box, and I wanted to keep the tradition alive. Basically all of the people who make the boxes service them.
As for learning, just listen and play for a few months. Then once you have an ear for the location of the notes, (assuming you already know how to read music) the next step is playing simple songs and working your way up to harder music.
http://www.accordions.com/bonteecajun/
http://martinaccordions.com/
http://www.savoymusiccenter.com/
These are the best-of-the-best when it comes to building and servicing boxes. Just shoot them an email and ask if they will work on a three row. I should think that they do, as I have done the work on my three row and its build identical to a single row, just with more buttons.
If you have any more questions shoot me an email. I also think I have a picture of the single row that i bult and sold for a while if you want. I had to take a leave of building and servicing as school is of most importance now.
peace
clayton