ContessaCalzone
Newbie
Hello all!
After many years of wishing I knew how to play the accordion I came across a stunning vintage Universal accordion in a music shop. I had already read a bit about what to look for when buying accordions, and without knowing any seasoned accordionists to get opinions from I took a leap of faith. It's a piano accordion rather than my preferred CBA, but regardless I absolutely adore my instrument. It has a pearly white acrylic body and black keys cast in glittery orange plastic. The bellows are in great condition and it's actually tuned better than my teacher's accordion.
I am second-generation Italian with family in the northern provinces but am only truly connecting with my heritage in recent years. I have always loved Italian accordion music and especially ballo liscio/smooth dance, though I am also fond of the traditional styles popular in the southern provinces. Since I have little interest in North American polkas or US patriotism, it has been unexpectedly difficult to find English-language resources for beginners that I feel excited to learn from! I will be asking my father to bring back beginner accordion books when he visits the family this summer. I will be translating theory notes slowly, but I'd rather learn the basics in styles I find interesting than struggle to do anything past practicing scales. In time, when my Italian is better and my accordion skills are more polished I'd like to make my own trip back home to learn the styles I love.
I have been taking lessons roughly twice a month (it's quite the drive to see my teacher) but my progress has been slow. Besides not being able to practice much in my apartment due to noise concerns, my teacher primarily teachers piano - I'm her very first accordion student. I have several reasons why I don't think she's the best fit, but she's the only teacher I can find within a two-hour radius so I've stuck with her so far. I haven't spent too much on lessons yet but if I'm already second-guessing her method I think I'll be more motivated to learn on my own once I have the Italian accordion books in my hands. I eventually plan to purchase a v-accordion so noise is less of an issue when practicing at home.
My hope in joining this forum is that I start finding the resources and inspiration I need to truly fall in love with learning this instrument. It's a pleasure to be here!
- CC
After many years of wishing I knew how to play the accordion I came across a stunning vintage Universal accordion in a music shop. I had already read a bit about what to look for when buying accordions, and without knowing any seasoned accordionists to get opinions from I took a leap of faith. It's a piano accordion rather than my preferred CBA, but regardless I absolutely adore my instrument. It has a pearly white acrylic body and black keys cast in glittery orange plastic. The bellows are in great condition and it's actually tuned better than my teacher's accordion.
I am second-generation Italian with family in the northern provinces but am only truly connecting with my heritage in recent years. I have always loved Italian accordion music and especially ballo liscio/smooth dance, though I am also fond of the traditional styles popular in the southern provinces. Since I have little interest in North American polkas or US patriotism, it has been unexpectedly difficult to find English-language resources for beginners that I feel excited to learn from! I will be asking my father to bring back beginner accordion books when he visits the family this summer. I will be translating theory notes slowly, but I'd rather learn the basics in styles I find interesting than struggle to do anything past practicing scales. In time, when my Italian is better and my accordion skills are more polished I'd like to make my own trip back home to learn the styles I love.
I have been taking lessons roughly twice a month (it's quite the drive to see my teacher) but my progress has been slow. Besides not being able to practice much in my apartment due to noise concerns, my teacher primarily teachers piano - I'm her very first accordion student. I have several reasons why I don't think she's the best fit, but she's the only teacher I can find within a two-hour radius so I've stuck with her so far. I haven't spent too much on lessons yet but if I'm already second-guessing her method I think I'll be more motivated to learn on my own once I have the Italian accordion books in my hands. I eventually plan to purchase a v-accordion so noise is less of an issue when practicing at home.
My hope in joining this forum is that I start finding the resources and inspiration I need to truly fall in love with learning this instrument. It's a pleasure to be here!
- CC
