So, the 2023 farmer’s markets wrapped up yesterday, did 3 hours in 50 degrees (10 C) with fingerless gloves, took one break to warm up hands. Went well, I really like this market, very laid back and appreciative of accordion music. A lady from Chile started talking to me in Italian, that was a first. Seems I met her husband already, the guy who wants me to fix his growling bass reeds. I told him some people consider it a feature, but he could borrow a B griff or piano if he wants more keys (accidentals). Maybe next summer.
Anyway, I volunteered to play next year, which is 15 - 20 days of 3 - 4 hours of each. With luck, I’ll make $10 - $15 / hour so I won’t be buying an old Gola, but the experience, as they say, “priceless”.
The bigger challenge is expanding my known repertoire to 4 hours with “quality” music, that is to say music I like that I am “good” at, ditching any “easy fillers.” I repeated this year and want to avoid that in the future.
So, I figure it will take most of the winter (we only have 2 seasons here). Plus I want to parlay this into other gigs so I need to play songs that will go there, less old time and accordion industrial complex. Plus the other accoutrements of professionalism I never got to this year - name, card, video examples, poster, etc.
Wish me luck!!!!!
Anyway, I volunteered to play next year, which is 15 - 20 days of 3 - 4 hours of each. With luck, I’ll make $10 - $15 / hour so I won’t be buying an old Gola, but the experience, as they say, “priceless”.
The bigger challenge is expanding my known repertoire to 4 hours with “quality” music, that is to say music I like that I am “good” at, ditching any “easy fillers.” I repeated this year and want to avoid that in the future.
So, I figure it will take most of the winter (we only have 2 seasons here). Plus I want to parlay this into other gigs so I need to play songs that will go there, less old time and accordion industrial complex. Plus the other accoutrements of professionalism I never got to this year - name, card, video examples, poster, etc.
Wish me luck!!!!!