Hello to All

[Tom S]

Hello to all of you on this Accordionists Forum. I would not call myself an "Accordionist" as I have been at this for only about 5 weeks. I have an accordion and a beginner's method book, and have learned a few simple songs in the book. I also have lots of questions, which is how I found this forum.

When I bought the accordion (Bravo III, 72), I also got a beginners method book which I have learned a lot from. But I realized that eventually, I will finish this book, and then what? So today, I ordered the first two Palmer-Hughes lesson books with the idea that I can continue in that curriculum as I get better.

I look forward to reading your posts and learning from your experience and expertise.

Tom S

 

[Tom]

Hello to all of you on this Accordionists Forum. I would not call myself an "Accordionist" as I have been at this for only about 5 weeks. I have an accordion and a beginner's method book, and have learned a few simple songs in the book. I also have lots of questions, which is how I found this forum.

When I bought the accordion (Bravo III, 72), I also got a beginners method book which I have learned a lot from. But I realized that eventually, I will finish this book, and then what? So today, I ordered the first two Palmer-Hughes lesson books with the idea that I can continue in that curriculum as I get better.

I look forward to reading your posts and learning from your experience and expertise.

Tom S

Welcome Tom!!!

Then what? I recommend you start right in on playing songs that you want to play. Either by sheet music, by ear, or by sight, watching someone play them slowly, such as in a YouTube tutorial. Pick a song you want to play and learn it all the way through, internalize it. Then learn another, etc. Imho the most important thing is to play something that is important to YOU. Good luck!!!!!

 

[Tom S]

Tom,
Thanks for your encouragement! I also have a book of hymns for the accordion and want to get into that as soon as I'm able.

Tom S

 

[Tom]

Tom,
Thanks for your encouragement! I also have a book of hymns for the accordion and want to get into that as soon as I'm able.

Tom S

That’s great Tom, good luck to you. Any questions, just ask here!

 

[PhiliGol]

Greetings to Texas from Bavaria.
Very good remembering to Austin - Steiner Ranch

 

[Tom S]

PhiliGol,

Greetings to you as well! ALOT of German influence in this part (Hill Country) of Texas - Towns like Fredericksburg and New Braunfels.

Tom S

 

[Accordionna]

PhiliGol,

Greetings to you as well! ALOT of German influence in this part (Hill Country) of Texas - Towns like Fredericksburg and New Braunfels.

Tom S

Welcome, Tom!
Since you mentioned Hill Country, we hope all is well for your community. Some there may welcome your musical support, if the hymns are on your practice list.

As for your mention of New Braunfels, my favorite hint to adult beginners is that P-H Book 1 taught me Oktoberfest tunes long before I learned there were beer halls anywhere in the world.

("Dreaming" (Du, du liegst mir im Herzen) and Vegetables on Parade are two of more!)

 

[Tom S]

Accordionna,

All is well where I live, but definitely not up the road in Kerrville. We pray for them throughout the day.

I'm still a rank beginner (5 weeks), so have not gotten to the hymns book - but working towards it. Just switched from 3/2 to 4/3, so am trying to relearn the little bit that I had learned previously before moving forward.

My P-H book 1 is on the way, so I'll check out the songs you mentioned when it arrives.

Tom S

 

[Jim2010]

Welcome from Tampa, Florida, a little southwest of you (globally speaking).

 

[Tom S]

Thank you, Jim2010.

 

[JeffJetton]

I ordered the first two Palmer-Hughes lesson books with the idea that I can continue in that curriculum as I get better.

Welcome, Tom!

If you've already worked your way through one beginner's book, you might find yourself breezing through Palmer-Hughes book 1 (and maybe 2)? Although, personally, I always like exposing myself to the same material taught in different ways. And I think the Palmer-Hughes series is still currently the overall best.

By the end of PH2, you'll have the basics down that should let you play a good portion of accordion sheet music and can branch out from there. A collection like "First 50 Songs You Should Play on Accordion" might be worth a look, for example. (That said, PH3 & 4 are still worth moving on to.)

Have you thought about taking a lesson or two from an accordion teacher? I'd imagine they should be pretty easy to find in your next of the woods.

 

[Accordionna]

Accordionna,

All is well where I live, but definitely not up the road in Kerrville. We pray for them throughout the day.

I'm still a rank beginner (5 weeks), so have not gotten to the hymns book - but working towards it. Just switched from 3/2 to 4/3, so am trying to relearn the little bit that I had learned previously before moving forward.

My P-H book 1 is on the way, so I'll check out the songs you mentioned when it arrives.

Tom S

Switching bass patterns generates A LOT of discussion. Learning to use both patterns improves left hand dexterity. Consistency is valuable.

I'm a bit of a renegade. My personal approach with adult novices allows them to choose which bass/chord pattern feels right to them. We include learning how to play a major scale pattern early in our sessions on a full Stradella bass system. The main reason for that is physiological: we use three of four fingers across the fundamental and counterbass columns. The second reason is musical/technical: It demonstrates the consistent Stradella design. One pattern supports every major key. We won't use the left pinky for several P-H books, but ... it's getting notice to stand by for action.

 

[NJKris]

Greetings Texas Tom from N. Jersey! I'm in a pre-launch mode myself. Going to start with some in-person lessons, then maybe transition to cyber lessons since nobody is closer than almost an hour away from me. At church this morning, talked to parish pianist and he is going to hook me up with a woman for piano lessons too, I figure the lessons will complement each other.

 

[Tom S]

Welcome, Tom!

If you've already worked your way through one beginner's book, you might find yourself breezing through Palmer-Hughes book 1 (and maybe 2)? Although, personally, I always like exposing myself to the same material taught in different ways. And I think the Palmer-Hughes series is still currently the overall best.

By the end of PH2, you'll have the basics down that should let you play a good portion of accordion sheet music and can branch out from there. A collection like "First 50 Songs You Should Play on Accordion" might be worth a look, for example. (That said, PH3 & 4 are still worth moving on to.)

Have you thought about taking a lesson or two from an accordion teacher? I'd imagine they should be pretty easy to find in your next of the woods.

I am still working my way through the first beginner's book. P-H 1 arrives in few days; when it comes, I'm going to start at the beginning. I'm sure some of it will be familiar, but I'd like to see what they have to say about even the basics, and will continue with their books as I learn more. I'm particularly interested in their take on the 4/3 for bass. I may be making more out of this than it's worth, but after starting with the 3/2, I've read several posts on this forum that suggest the 4/3 instead. I'm just starting and don't have a lot to relearn, so I figure that now is the time to switch over, rather than later. Even after just a few weeks, the transition has not been an easy one. I'm also not sure how to adjust the bass fingerings that are shown in the PH books (when they arrive) to 4/3, since I understand that they teach the 3/2 fingerings.

I'll definitely check out the book you suggested - I have seen it on Amazon.

And maybe a few lessons as well - perhaps after I have learned a little something?

 

[Tom S]

Switching bass patterns generates A LOT of discussion. Learning to use both patterns improves left hand dexterity. Consistency is valuable.

I'm a bit of a renegade. My personal approach with adult novices allows them to choose which bass/chord pattern feels right to them. We include learning how to play a major scale pattern early in our sessions on a full Stradella bass system. The main reason for that is physiological: we use three of four fingers across the fundamental and counterbass columns. The second reason is musical/technical: It demonstrates the consistent Stradella design. One pattern supports every major key. We won't use the left pinky for several P-H books, but ... it's getting notice to stand by for action.

Thanks for the info. Looking forward to getting into the P-H books when they arrive in a couple of days.

 

[Tom S]

Greetings Texas Tom from N. Jersey! I'm in a pre-launch mode myself. Going to start with some in-person lessons, then maybe transition to cyber lessons since nobody is closer than almost an hour away from me. At church this morning, talked to parish pianist and he is going to hook me up with a woman for piano lessons too, I figure the lessons will complement each other.

Nice to "meet" you. Looking forward to hearing about your progress as we begin this journey about the same time.

 

[JeffJetton]

I understand that they teach the 3/2 fingerings.

Yeah, they mainly go with 3/2, but they do at least acknowledge that 4/3 exists and present it as an option when 3/2 is introduced.

The Gallianos' book is a good, modern method book that uses 4/3 and has a few other nice differences from P-H (more emphasis on single bass notes early on, minor chords brought in earlier, etc.) But personally I'd still recommend P-H, with Galliano as a supplement if anything.

 

[Tom S]

Thanks f

Yeah, they mainly go with 3/2, but they do at least acknowledge that 4/3 exists and present it as an option when 3/2 is introduced.

The Gallianos' book is a good, modern method book that uses 4/3 and has a few other nice differences from P-H (more emphasis on single bass notes early on, minor chords brought in earlier, etc.) But personally I'd still recommend P-H, with Galliano as a supplement if anything.

Thanks for the recommendations. I will be in touch...