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Essex Newbie

  • Thread starter Thread starter Hastevenus
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Hastevenus

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Hi all

New to the site, I must say you all seem like a friendly bunch. :b

O.K a bit about me, 46 years old and really want to give it a go with the Piano Accordion. Never even held one before! Had some piano lessons some years back, can read music slowly and probably a bit rusty now!

The million dollar question is what PA should I get to start with. I seem to be drawn to the 48 Base ones to be fare as they seem to be listed as student models! Some places say avoid Chinese ones and some sites say they are fine.!!! Confused.com!! Honer seems to crop up a lot also!

I'm looking to play folk type music (that's the type I like, also Irish and French sounding tunes are great.... oh and sea shanties!!! as you can all see I love a bit of Varity!

Do you think a 48 Base is too difficult to start with. Not looking to spend too much on the first one (just incase I don't stick at it), however are second-hand ones a good move considering I have no clue what im looking at!!

Finally it seems most people are self taught or by a family friend, I would prefer structured lessons. Are these easy to come by in Essex/e London!

Anyway enough for now thanks for taking the time to read all my waffle and I look forward to any advice you all feel necessary.

regards Christian :ch :ch
 
46 is a fine age to start accordioneering! But then any age is good, I was 48, better late than never ,as they say. This is a very friendly,( well, nearly all the time) and well informed forum. Music reading and piano experience can only be good things even if piano's and piano's accordions are very different animals. You could check the Allodi Accordion website for a list of tutors in the London/Essex area.

If I were starting out now, knowing what I do, I'd probably start with a 30/72 or 30/60 instrument, that is 30 keys in the right hand, starting at G below middle C, although there is nothing wrong with the slightly smaller 26/48, however, they can become limiting fairly quickly. It's worth a look at Allodi Accordions used instruments list. Weltmeister from Germany make a very acceptable range of smaller instruments for "reasonable" amounts of money, especially second hand. Buying an accordion from Emilio Allodi is one of life's great pleasures.

Ebay is generally best avoided. Good luck, you'll have a blast!
 
Hi Christian and welcome.
Great choice to play accordion - youll be making real music in no time. The accordion was designed to be friendly!
Allodis always come recommended.
A couple of other dealers who offer good value, though neither is near you
Accordions South West - Devon
http://www.squeezydoesit.com/id10.html
Fair Deal Accordions - Birmingham
https://www.fairdealaccordions.com/piano-accordions.html

Always worth asking a dealer whats the deal if you trade up an instrument you bought from them.
Good advice from hais1273 above on instrument size.
Main thing is, get something and start playing! No one ever learned to play music by doing research! :D
Good luck!
Tom
 
Thank you both for the speedy responses.

I shall be looking at the dealers later today to see what they have on offer. The only reason i mentioned a 48bass was i was thinking in my head if i went too big too soon it would feel daunting, and i didn't want that from day 1. But i take on board what you say about the bigger accordions.

Thanks again. I have a feeling i might drive you all made soon. lol

regards christian
 
Hastevenus post_id=56536 time=1522110565 user_id=2812 said:
...
The million dollar question is what PA should I get to start with. I seem to be drawn to the 48 Base ones to be fare as they seem to be listed as student models! Some places say avoid Chinese ones and some sites say they are fine.!!! Confused.com!! Honer seems to crop up a lot also!
...

Welcome to the forum!

Regarding what PA to start with... There are student models with 48 basses right up to 120 basses. An accordion has to feel right, it has to fit just like clothing has to fit. Student is just a label and hints at it being for students but just means it is likely the lowest-grade in a collection. You should never take these labels seriously. Its not because you are a student that you need to get a student model, and it is even more true that a model labeled professional is unlikely to be good enough to appeal to a real professional. Labels are just intended to sell to an audience.
 
Thank you Paul

I appreciate all this help and advise im getting.

I think I found a tutor today based in Ronford



regards Christian
 
I agree with Paul, the instrument has to feel "right" and size is a little irrelavent. There are all sorts of ifs and buts about buying a box to learn on, too small and you could be limited, too big and you can be intimidated and confused by all those buttons. I had an older 41/120 Victoria for awhile, it sounded very fine, but I found it uncomfortable to play for longer than 20 minutes, sadly it had to go.
 
Hello Christian,

A warm welcome to the forum. You have certainly come to the right place.

I play in Folk Clubs, so the advice I offer is from a folk music perspective. The 48 Bass will play most folk tunes, but I would tend to agree with Hais about the 72 Bass.

You will find a lot of negativity regarding Chinese instruments, some of which is deserved. But, it has to be said, many European manufacturers have their instruments made in China.

I believe that advice should be tailored to the needs of the individual, and I am not convinced that owning a top quality instrument is always necessary. Though my Folk Club has the odd one or two visiting accordionists, I am the only regular accordionist at the club.

Two of my three accordions are German (Galotta & Hohner) and my other one is a Chinese made Chanson. The two German machines are of better quality, but it is the Chanson that gets the most outings. It plays well enough for my purposes, and has never, ever let me down. The Chanson is certainly more than 20 years old, and it has never been tuned.

You can buy a badly made Chinese accordion, but the better known brands represent very good value for money. And, if you go to local Folk Clubs, it is highly likely that you will be the only accordionist anyway.

So, in summary: A 48 Bass is fine, but a 72 Bass will eventually prove more useful.

Please keep us posted on any developments and musical progress.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.
 
hais1273 post_id=56569 time=1522223593 user_id=1042 said:
I agree with Paul, the instrument has to feel right and size is a little irrelavent. There are all sorts of ifs and buts about buying a box to learn on, too small and you could be limited, too big and you can be intimidated and confused by all those buttons. I had an older 41/120 Victoria for awhile, it sounded very fine, but I found it uncomfortable to play for longer than 20 minutes, sadly it had to go.

Thank you for this I will certainly take on board all the advise given

regards
 
Stephen Hawkins post_id=56586 time=1522278730 user_id=1440 said:
Hello Christian,

A warm welcome to the forum. You have certainly come to the right place.

I play in Folk Clubs, so the advice I offer is from a folk music perspective. The 48 Bass will play most folk tunes, but I would tend to agree with Hais about the 72 Bass.

You will find a lot of negativity regarding Chinese instruments, some of which is deserved. But, it has to be said, many European manufacturers have their instruments made in China.

I believe that advice should be tailored to the needs of the individual, and I am not convinced that owning a top quality instrument is always necessary. Though my Folk Club has the odd one or two visiting accordionists, I am the only regular accordionist at the club.

Two of my three accordions are German (Galotta & Hohner) and my other one is a Chinese made Chanson. The two German machines are of better quality, but it is the Chanson that gets the most outings. It plays well enough for my purposes, and has never, ever let me down. The Chanson is certainly more than 20 years old, and it has never been tuned.

You can buy a badly made Chinese accordion, but the better known brands represent very good value for money. And, if you go to local Folk Clubs, it is highly likely that you will be the only accordionist anyway.

So, in summary: A 48 Bass is fine, but a 72 Bass will eventually prove more useful.

Please keep us posted on any developments and musical progress.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

Thank you Stephen

I appreciate the time you took to respond and once again plenty of advise from a member.

I think I will pop along to a shop in London and see if I get a feel for a box.... is that the slang term?


regards
christian</QUOTE>
 
Hello Christian,

Yes, the term "box" is perfectly acceptable. I hope you will soon have a "box" of your own to practice on; that is when the real fun will start.

Good luck with your search for an accordion. Remember, it is only yourself you have to please.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.
 
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