I get it Jeff! But this is what happens to your pottery studio when either 1. Your music studio is a guest bedroom. or 2. You don't own a Roland for that quiet practice at 1:00 am.
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Accordion addiction--it is a thing?
- Thread starter olivigus
- Start date
yeah the "thing" is with any video with a good accordionist playing a good piece, that person becomes an instant ambassador for the brand/type of accordion being played
and then you want it!
the psychology use by many marketeers
but as I recently learned so responsibly: the best accordion for the job is the one you have.
and then you want it!
the psychology use by many marketeers
but as I recently learned so responsibly: the best accordion for the job is the one you have.
I only crave 2 accordions. The first one I ever owned which I traded to a collector so I have an opportunity to get it back in another trade, and a Roland which I will probably get some time but no hurry. My acoustics are plenty fine for my ability, no problem.
Well said!
My approach is to get rid of the previous instrument if I get a new one and not get attached to them, it's only stuff rather than skill after all!
My addiction is more to practicing. Personally I'd rather be able to play the world's worst accordion well than the best accordion badly. Sweat and tears are the way to finding your musical voice (and being kind to yourself if you can in the process) rather than acquisition I reckon.
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craigd
Active member
There seems to be a bit of a burden that goes along with the pleasure of owning a number of fine instruments. And they are not always easy to sell, even at a good price.
I'm with you Ben. I am no pro or expert but I play well enough for me (basically folk and traditional). My holy grail is to have 2 hours of music available in my memory. Playing hour upon hour to build muscle memory seems possible but I don't know if I have the years for it. Any advice you have is appreciated.
It all depends on how you approach your art! I know excellent accordionists who have played the one and same instrument very well their whole life, and this is what they are happy with. They do not think of acquiring another instrument.
I do not buy instruments with the intention of selling the ones I have already, unless I see no real use for them. Most second-hand instruments I buy undergo significant restoration work to put them to my taste (i.e. fine tuning, valve or pallet felt replacement, reeds upgrade, etc) and I do not expect to recoup that cost when I resell. I love fixing things!
For me, I like experimenting and playing different instruments for different musical styles. For example, I hear people playing Irish music on a PA but to me, it's much more fun to use a 1-row or 2-row diatonic, of which I own a few in various keys. I have a smallish 72-bass chromatic which is my "generic" box to play pretty much anything, and particularly some folk music. I also have larger chromatics that were sort of "given" to me, I use them for the fun of it, but they are heavier and require more physical strength to play. What's better than playing Italian tunes on a Soprani, or French tunes on a Maugein! I also use bayan squeezeboxes for Slavic and gypsy kind of music because they sound well for that, and they also look cool!
Some people collect old Cadillacs, I like musical instruments and accordions in particular. That's my thing.
Your journey may vary
I do not buy instruments with the intention of selling the ones I have already, unless I see no real use for them. Most second-hand instruments I buy undergo significant restoration work to put them to my taste (i.e. fine tuning, valve or pallet felt replacement, reeds upgrade, etc) and I do not expect to recoup that cost when I resell. I love fixing things!
For me, I like experimenting and playing different instruments for different musical styles. For example, I hear people playing Irish music on a PA but to me, it's much more fun to use a 1-row or 2-row diatonic, of which I own a few in various keys. I have a smallish 72-bass chromatic which is my "generic" box to play pretty much anything, and particularly some folk music. I also have larger chromatics that were sort of "given" to me, I use them for the fun of it, but they are heavier and require more physical strength to play. What's better than playing Italian tunes on a Soprani, or French tunes on a Maugein! I also use bayan squeezeboxes for Slavic and gypsy kind of music because they sound well for that, and they also look cool!
Some people collect old Cadillacs, I like musical instruments and accordions in particular. That's my thing.
Your journey may vary
Olivigus you are not alone: we are all so afflicted. It comes with the territory -- please see my confession here: https://accordionweb.com/2017/04/24/the-cordeen-and-me-episode-4-accordion-lust/
Olivigus you are not alone: we are all so afflicted. It comes with the territory -- please see my confession here: https://accordionweb.com/2017/04/24/the-cordeen-and-me-episode-4-accordion-lust/
olivigus
Active member
@SteveH Ha. That is funny, so relatable, and very well written!
I succumbed to my urges and recently got a little 48-bass Hohner Concerto in excellent shape. It only weighs about 10 pounds, so will be easy to travel with, and it has an MM register, which I really like for certain songs. I'm still doing most of my practicing on my 120 bass for the range, but the little one is great fun for playing the songs I already know, and seems to have scratched that acquisition itch for the time being.
I also really took what @Chrisrayner said about getting more instruments vs. developing skills to heart, and started pulling out the accordion(s) I actually have and practicing whenever I get the yen to go internet browsing for different ones.
I succumbed to my urges and recently got a little 48-bass Hohner Concerto in excellent shape. It only weighs about 10 pounds, so will be easy to travel with, and it has an MM register, which I really like for certain songs. I'm still doing most of my practicing on my 120 bass for the range, but the little one is great fun for playing the songs I already know, and seems to have scratched that acquisition itch for the time being.
I also really took what @Chrisrayner said about getting more instruments vs. developing skills to heart, and started pulling out the accordion(s) I actually have and practicing whenever I get the yen to go internet browsing for different ones.
Thanks, Olivigus! I invite you to read the other entries at http://www.accordionweb.com -- and please let your Accordionista friends and anyone else who might be interested know about the blog site. My goal is world domination
Best regards,
Steve
Chickers
Active member
Oh, soo many words of wisdom. Some hidden "warnings" in there as well.
Not much more to add to all the above wonderful, and truthful comments.
I think we (accordionists, and wanabe's) go through much the same things, along with our own little needs, wants, perceptions, etc.
but you are experiencing the real accordion bite. That's a good thing. You will eventually sort out some of these accumulations, and thoughts
about them, but on your terms, and with your special interests.
I'm pretty much a beginner---for a couple years now---and still having lots of fun in learning, playing, buying, accumulating, and trying
accordions because "someone else" makes that particular accordion sound soo good. They found the sweet sound that I'm still looking for.
Welcome, have fun, enjoy, keep the chat going on the forum---it's all interesting.
Another thought---from what I see on the internet---California has many accordions, and accordion styles somewhat unique.
Hope to hear more contributions from everyone.
CHICKERS
Seven Hills, Ohio USA
Not much more to add to all the above wonderful, and truthful comments.
I think we (accordionists, and wanabe's) go through much the same things, along with our own little needs, wants, perceptions, etc.
but you are experiencing the real accordion bite. That's a good thing. You will eventually sort out some of these accumulations, and thoughts
about them, but on your terms, and with your special interests.
I'm pretty much a beginner---for a couple years now---and still having lots of fun in learning, playing, buying, accumulating, and trying
accordions because "someone else" makes that particular accordion sound soo good. They found the sweet sound that I'm still looking for.
Welcome, have fun, enjoy, keep the chat going on the forum---it's all interesting.
Another thought---from what I see on the internet---California has many accordions, and accordion styles somewhat unique.
Hope to hear more contributions from everyone.
CHICKERS
Seven Hills, Ohio USA
does someone know a synonym for the word 'acquisition' - starting with 's'?
I am guilty of looking at other instruments--A LOT. I just try to keep my AAS out of the practice room. When I have MY accordion in my hands, I'm content. I have no complaints when I'm playing. But, outside of the practice room, I do think about other tunings, tone chambers, free bass...maybe a Roland would be best. I wonder if the Proxima will be available in CBA format. Hmmm. I have to go and.....practice. Yeah, if you don't see me for a couple hours, I'm probably practicing.
olivigus
Active member
Enjoying all the replies here. It's nice to know it IS a thing for so many. @Chickers I've definitely been bitten. But, you're right, the thinking, browsing, listening and lusting after certain sounds has been teaching me much about the accordion and my own interests. Like @NickC when I'm playing mine those other yearnings fall away, and I feel very happy and present. @jozz, the only "s" word I can think of is stockpiling. Ah, there's my justification... in the coming dark days, I will have abundant accordions to distribute to make people happy! Oh, and big shout out to @SteveH for his lovely blog post on keeping the darkness at bay with the 'cordeen. Definitely worth a read: https://accordionweb.com/2021/06/30/the-cordeen-and-me-episode-13-reflections-on-the-plague-year/
Ive 2 accordions... I often playbone for weeks at a time, when my mind wanders into the land of desires i pick up the other accordion and immediately think Wow this is beautiful i must play it more...proceed to do so for a few weeks.....and then repeat changing back to the original box.... Desire sated.... Thankfully they are both lovely instruments with different attributes... ?
craigd
Active member
I believe the general term is Gear Acquisition Syndrome, and what you are describing is a bad case of gas.
IHAccordion
Member
I've been happy with my 2 accordions - one's a 1970's LMH with all treble reeds in a cassotto chamber and has a "buttery smooth" tone especially when the cassotto switch is in the active position. The other one's a 1930's LMMH with no cassotto, but it has the bright and exciting tone (and medium musette tuning between dry and wet) and is actually lighter weight than the LMH. Both play like champs after they were restored.
Between the two, I'm very content (But that's just me!) since I'm able to have tons of flexibility between the two.
Between the two, I'm very content (But that's just me!) since I'm able to have tons of flexibility between the two.
olivigus
Active member
That seems an excellent solution, and a great system for re-appreciating what one already has.
olivigus
Active member
Those sound like two lovely options. I have my starter (LM) 120-bass and a little Hohner (MM) 48 which I am very happy with. But find myself longing for at least one more M in my full-size model...
