Hello from Kent

[Mr turtle]

Hi, I'm a professional accordionist living in Kent in the UK.

I started out playing acoustic p/a 32 years ago after giving up a career programing computers.

Over the years I have played many different accordions mainly German and Italian, but about 8 years ago I was bitten by the Roland bug, starting with a second hand fr3s and progressing to my current fr-3x.

While I still own about 10 acoustic accordions I find the versatility of the Roland so much better, especially when recording.

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Mr. Turtle,

I know a joke about a Rabbit, a Buzzard and a Turtle, but that is for another time.

You are obviously a polished performer, whereas I have to tie people to their chairs in order to make them listen.

When I get my audience securely bound, I can then only offer them a choice between two accordions. One is an old Galotta, whilst the other is a slightly less old Chanson.

Brenda & I often visit our favourite rural locations, where I play to audiences of sheep, cattle and horses. The sheep seem to appreciate most musical genres, but are most fond of Elvis Pressley numbers. The cattle, I must say, are quite enigmatic. Horses love "Wild Mountain Thyme" and passing dogs love, as you may guess, "The Wild Rover."

Other members of our Folk Club(s) have more subtle tastes, and I always try to play something very melodic for them. It usually goes quite well.

Please enjoy your visits to this forum.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[Glenn]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
Interesting background. I'd be interested as to how one can make a living with playing the accordion. I assume that's what you mean as professional. It was certainly brave to abandon a career in computers to do so. What was your trigger for such a life changing move (if we're being too nosey then say so).

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Hi Glenn,

There's a chap in my home town who busks with an accordion ........ I imagine he does okay. In the strict sense of the word, "professional", a busker can claim professional status, though I imagine that Mr. Turtle is of a much higher order than that.

I shall cling to my amateur status for as long as possible.