Greetings from Birmingham, UK

[Wes]

Hi, just joined after lurking for a while.

I've played fretted string instruments and percussion for a few decades so not new to playing music - I recently learned Cavaquinho and joined a Brazilian Forro and Samba band which is great fun. I've been listening to lots of Brazilian music to immerse myself in it and as a result have become utterly hooked on accordion.

So, I picked up a used Roland FR4X for good price from eBay a month ago. I live in a terraced house with thin walls so I thought this would be a good option to enable me to practice in headphones later in the evening (and hopefully not lose out on resale if it didn't work out for me). I've been working through the first two Palmer Hughes books and some of Liberty Bellows videos on youTube. Hopelessly addicted already!

Yesterday, I visited the Accordion Centre in Birmingham to browse and possibly buy my first acoustic accordion. The lovely chaps there talked to me for hours about the ins and outs of tuning and merits of various accordions. After trying a few it quickly became apparent that the Roland isn't teaching me much at all about bellows technique.

I realised after hearing 10 or so different accordions that the sound I really love and want is a dry Italian instrument. Then, they played for me a late 70's Scandalli Brevetto which they had just completed work on. I felt the heavens open! Something about the tone and the way it was tuned really moved me. Despite thinking I'd leave with a cheaper and lighter German accordion, my heart took over and made the purchase! I'm besotted with it...



A guy on my street is a piano teacher who also plays accordion professionally so I'm booking in a few lessons with him to make sure I'm not getting into bad habits, but other than that I'm quite happy learning under my own steam - I've just ordered the Palmer Hughes book 3 and a few song books. I'll also be attending a monthly gathering at the Accordion Centre to meet and play with others.

I'm slowly practicing some Brazilian rhythms but the hand independence required while keeping the syncopated left hand patterns tight is proving to be a proper challenge. The thought of one day having the facility to play Brazilian, Klezmer, Balkan, Tango and Gypsy Jazz tunes is a very exciting prospect and driving me forward, practicing any chance I get.

So that's about it. I look forward to getting involved on the forum, have a top weekend!

 

[Pipemajor]

Welcome Wes,
you're among friends here

 

[Tom]

Welcome and congrats on that Brevetto Wes! You would look right in style in Brazil. Yea, even on a simple tune like Asa Branca it is tough keeping that rhythm going. Don’t tell anyone but I cheat and play it straight. . Good luck to you. Look forward to hearing how it all goes.

 

[Giovanni]

Welcome Wes to the forum , There are a lot of good accordionist and a few accordion clubs in the Birmingham area . The publisher of the Accordion magazine Barry smith is in that Area .
I also met Rob founder of the Accordion Centre several times at Exhibitions .............I'm so pleased the Accordion centre is continuing they are very good and knowledgeable and have a good reputation ..

 

[losthobos]

Lovely guys at Birmingham Accordion Centre. Pity you didn't get to meet Rob....a true diamond...I miss sessions I had with him and and Alan Young....the pairs passing has left a hole in my accordion world for sure..... thankfully both their sons will carry the legacy....

 

[PhiliGol]

Hi Wes
Welcome to the group and greetings from Bavaria.
A lovely instrument - a true Scandalli gem with it's Sax-flaps.

 

[Dingo40]

Then, they played for me a late 70's Scandalli Brevetto which they had just completed work on.

Hi Wes, and welcome!
Here's Zignat Visoky and his Scandalli "Brevetto":

 

[Wes]

Appreciate the warm welcome, thanks all.

I'm still a bit daunted by the Scandalli - so much dynamic range. It really feels alive coming from the Roland.
Today is the first day I'll be playing accordion with other musicians. I've got a rehearsal for a performance of Don't Fence Me In in the style of David Byrne (with Samba drums), for a carnival later in the month. Thankfully they just want a very simple accompaniment in G major.

@Giovanni @losthobos The Accordion Centre is a special place indeed; steeped in history, like a parallel universe hidden away in an industrial district. I've lived in Birmingham most of my life and had no idea it existed! It makes me wish I'd taken up accordion sooner and had the chance to meet Rob. Steve and Andre were absolute gentlemen though so it seems the place is in good hands. They were incredibly busy with pressing repairs for a customer collecting the next day and still gave me as much time as I needed and couldn't have made me feel more welcome. It makes me very happy that places like that still exist!

 

[Giovanni]

Appreciate the warm welcome, thanks all.

I'm still a bit daunted by the Scandalli - so much dynamic range. It really feels alive coming from the Roland.
Today is the first day I'll be playing accordion with other musicians. I've got a rehearsal for a performance of Don't Fence Me In in the style of David Byrne (with Samba drums), for a carnival later in the month. Thankfully they just want a very simple accompaniment in G major.

@Giovanni @losthobos The Accordion Centre is a special place indeed; steeped in history, like a parallel universe hidden away in an industrial district. I've lived in Birmingham most of my life and had no idea it existed! It makes me wish I'd taken up accordion sooner and had the chance to meet Rob. Steve and Andre were absolute gentlemen though so it seems the place is in good hands. They were incredibly busy with pressing repairs for a customer collecting the next day and still gave me as much time as I needed and couldn't have made me feel more welcome. It makes me very happy that places like that still exist!

I'm so glad that they are carrying on the business and giving customers excellent service and advice ...
Such places are rare in today's world long may they continue ............................
Good luck with your gigs !!

 

[Awaken]

Hi Wes, I'm learning Forro too. I can't get enough of it. The UK isn't familiar with this sort of music so it's a great thing to do. It's a difficult bellows technique to get the rythmic background isn't it? The birmingham accordion shop are great, I've heard good things about them. Lovely instrument you have there!