Difficulty with closing bellows

[Elizabeth]

Because of a shoulder that is compromised from surgery and injury, I am having pain and difficulty close the bellows on a new 92 bass legerra. I am wondering if an accordion with less volume in the Bellows would simply be easier to push. I have been told that the difficulty I am encountering is due to the tightness of the Bellows or the newness of the reeds and that as a reeds get used, they perceived tightness will liessen. I’m not sure I want to further struggle with my shoulder to get to that point! Im In a pickle….

 

[debra]

I believe that 95% of that "newness" issue is an urban myth. I have bought and started playing quite a few new accordions in my lifetime (way too many in fact) and I have never experienced that perceived tightness lessen in a significant way over time.
It's just as much a myth as the advice I have heard to first start playing softly on a new instrument for the first few months (or at least weeks). Having seen what "abuse" reeds go through during the manufacturing process I very much doubt that just playing normally might do any harm.
So... if you are having pain and difficulty to close the bellows now and it is not caused by your playing technique, it is unlikely to get better. Playing less and softer may help the shoulder to heal though.

 

[Ventura]

you prefer to play an accordion, right ?

you can no longer squeeze as necessary, right ?

and playing a keyboard just doesn't do it for you, right ?

then trade it in on a Roland digital accordion.. your friends
at Petosa will no doubt accommodate you and help you set
the accordion up to play without squeezing it.. they work
fine this way.. many other owners who had health issues
have worked with their Roland's in this fashion..

the velocity feature on the left hand will allow some
approximation of sensitivity for Bass and Chords if
you can see your way to be satisfied for now with
an upright bass sound and Vibes or Rhodes sound on chords..

the treble can be made comfortable sounding with the use of
a volume pedal to express your sensitivity while playing

and considering you have a lot to lose from your investment
into the Leggera if you sell it or trade down, that will be
my considered suggestion for you

and good luck with your shoulder in future

 

[Elizabeth]

Great idea, you may have suggested this previously. Thank you so much.

 

[Waldo]

Different bellows technique?
I have experienced tight bellows on both of my new accordions. I loosened them up by opening the bellows about 1/2 way and then flexing the bellows in all four directions, without releasing any air, to their extreme movement. You should hear a slight "crackling" noise as the bellows stretch and flex off the tightness (this only happens on the initial flexing). Before starting a practice session, I also would open the bellows as far as I could manage and then hold them in the open position (they will want to naturally close to a neutral position, HOLD them open) for as long as I was willing (10-20 minutes). I did this primarily to reduce the opening resistance of the new bellow, but it improved the resistance factor dramatically.
Also, try opening the bellows only at the top, pivoting off a completely closed bottom. Then when bellows reach their maximum "opening", roll the bellows into the opposite orientation (fully opened at the bottom and closed at the top). No compression, just a "rolling" movement. Now the bellows will be in a position to take advantage of the pull of gravity. Add necessary compression with the left arm to achieve the desired volume and repeat once bellows reach a closed position. May take some practice to get the "roll" natural and even, but gravity is a force to be reckoned with. I used to have an excellent example of this bellows technique, but couldn't find the video link. Dingo?
You might start this technique by leaving the bottom bellows strap attached and just opening and closing the top half of the bellows in order to get the feel of the first half of the movement, and then progress to the "rolling/rocking" movement.
You may benefit from the hemp extract CBD (not an accordion type) rubbed on the effected area a few minutes before playing. The stuff is amazing for pain relief (and won't get you high, ).
Press on.......
Waldo

 

[Elizabeth]

Wow thanks so much waldo. What terrific ideas. I will try these! Including the cbd, providing it exists without fragrance,which i havent found yet,as fragrance =migraines for me.
Thanks for your ideas. Gives me hope!

When I first started out on the path of wanting a 96 bass accordion, my arms still worked then. But now I’m not so sure. My left arm is not capable of much Bellows technique at this point. So I was wondering would simply a smaller volume of air (smaller bellows) be less difficult to push in? I know if you get a smaller box with smaller Bellows, you will have to go in and out more often.

 

[Elizabeth]

I believe that 95% of that "newness" issue is an urban myth. I have bought and started playing quite a few new accordions in my lifetime (way too many in fact) and I have never experienced that perceived tightness lessen in a significant way over time.
It's just as much a myth as the advice I have heard to first start playing softly on a new instrument for the first few months (or at least weeks). Having seen what "abuse" reeds go through during the manufacturing process I very much doubt that just playing normally might do any harm.
So... if you are having pain and difficulty to close the bellows now and it is not caused by your playing technique, it is unlikely to get better. Playing less and softer may help the shoulder to heal though.

Thank you for your reply, paul.
I really appreciate it!
What I am wondering is if a smaller box, smaller Bellows, smaller volume of air, would be easier to push in. I have smaller boxes than this 96 bass and they are all easier. Although they are all older.. perhaps a 96 bass no longer matters.
The other thing that might help is strenthening my shoulder, and seeing if that will compensate for the tear in the rotator cuff

 

[debra]

Thank you for your reply, paul.
I really appreciate it!
What I am wondering is if a smaller box, smaller Bellows, smaller volume of air, would be easier to push in. I have smaller boxes than this 96 bass and they are all easier. Although they are all older.. perhaps a 96 bass no longer matters.
The other thing that might help is strenthening my shoulder, and seeing if that will compensate for the tear in the rotator cuff

Smaller boxes are mostly easier to play (push) because they are lighter than larger accordions.
I have two small accordions and they are much easier to play (in terms of force required) than the larger boxes. But they only weigh between 1/2 and 1/3 of my large boxes...