Best tune(s) to showcase your accordion ?

[smdc66]

Scenario

You walk into a room with your accordion (and music books) and there are family,friends,neighbours and strangers present and a few ask you to play a tune or two (or three max) as they are interested in your musical talent to date and what accordions sound like and what they do

You are happy to oblige as you are in a good mood, feeling confident and they generally seem a nice bunch

What tune(s) do you play to showcase your instrument / ability

(giving a reason optional but would be of interest as this may inspire some to then learn these tunes for a possible future scenario)

I would play

(1)la paloma (its the 1st proper tune i learnt and know it well and is a nice slow well known tango)
(2)sulle onde /carnival venice mix (similar reasons but also shows a different rhythm ie waltz)
(3)marina marina (similar reasons although dont know many tunes yet to pick from but this is a more up tempo tune as is a fox trot so would give a different feel)

 

[george garside]

The Bluebell Polka usually goes down quite well, it was as far as I know the only accordion tune to ever reach the top 10 (in I think 1955!) 3 Parts in GDC respectively

george

 

[kellyt]

Jacqueline Waltz, I'd have to vote for. Or, if you prefer continental Rienne de Musette is hard not to be impressed with.

 

[Zevy]

<FONT font=Garamond><SIZE size=125>I say Olive Blossoms by Pietro Frosini. Its a great tune.

 

[Guernseyman]

I like to play ambiance musettienne - such a lovely French piece, or Jean's reel for a fast Phil Cunnungham special or Song for Joss for a bossa nove (still working on it - a real blighter to play well!) o rIndifference for running up and down the keyboard.

 

[george garside]

interesting that 2 of the tunes mentioned so far, Jimmy Shands bluebell polka and Will Stars Jaqueline waltz, were both originnoaly played on that Rolls Royce of boxes the Shand Morino

george

 

[Trailhand]

"Beer Barrel Polka" is always a hit :ch . "Just Because" is one of my favorites to do. I would say the best tunes to play are the ones you know and can play the best. {}

 

[debra]

If its to showcase my instrument (and a bit my ability) to family and friends then Csardas by Monti is always good. Flick-flack by Alfred Vossen is also a hit. or Circus Renz by Gustav Peter.
If I want to showcase my instrument and ability to experts I would play my own arrangement of some music from the Dutch movie Turks Fruit (Turkish Delight). (listen to it on ) This piece requires the big bellows on my Bugari 505 ARS and it requires great control over left and right-hand side. It doesnt sound all that difficult, but believe me, its harder to play than that Csardas or Circus Renz.
(Note for the sharp observer: with that video the picture shows me with a Bugari 508 ARS/C, not the 505 ARS. You cannot play this piece on the 508 because its bellow is too small.)

 

[acordiansam]

Well family and friends already know what I play and have ther songs. I ask the guest what type music they like and mabe a few song names. If I can fake it out of the box that usualy makes the bigest hit. More than sum verry well played song that they have no interest in. Family will pick every thing from beer barrel to amazing grace. Or stump the accordion player.
Ha ha!

 

[george garside]

Its sometimes difficult to tell whether friends/family are asking because they think they should or because they really want to hear you play. My rough and ready way of checking this out is to only get the box out in such situations if I have been asked at least 3 times - play no more than 3 tunes - put box back in case!. If then asked to play some more I know that the request is genuine!

george

 

[Anyanka]

I would want to show that the accordion can do something other than 'oompah', so I would try to demonstrate the sensitive/expressive side of the box with Andy Cutting's 'Flatworld/Incontinental Mood' waltzes or with my favourite Paul Hutchinson tune: he calls it 'A Trip to St Nicholas', but my copy got named 'Miles from Home' (he gave me an untitled early version to practice).

 

[colinm]

I think gerge is correct,20 seconds of any tune is enough to make their eyes glaze over
The only people really interested are sccordion players, and most of those are only interested in playing , not listening