Hi - From Across The Pond

[JIM D.]

My name is Jim Dascanio and I'm the owner a operator of "THE FISARMONICA SHOP" located in Chicopee, Ma USA. I've been a union musician for the past 50 years performing with the accordion in all types of venues. I've also been repairing and rebuilding accordions of all types including acoustic, electronic and digital for the past 40 years. I was fortunate to perform and earn a living during the "Golden Age of Accordion" which had its peak during the 1950's and 1970's. Since this period the acoustic accordion while remaining popular in ethnic music has lost its popularity in popular music. The new types of digital accordions have only been around for 10 years now but have increased the popularity of the accordion in all types of music. These new advances in accordion design have enabled the young musician to accomplish the sounds heard in popular music heard today and also the the older accordion player to perform with an instrument that is now lighter in weight and easier to handle. I applaud the person or persons having the insight to create a new forum such as this that will accept accordionists who play in all types of venues and have accordions of different designs. Musically yours; JIM D.

 

[jarvo]

'Ello Jim

Jarvo

 

[Glenn]

Hi Jim,
Nice to see so many years of experience in the forum.
I do notice a rise in the use of accordion sounds in modern popular music. Does that reflect in sales?

 

[dunlustin]

Well Jim
I'm pleased to see you've come across.
I was concerned the angels dancing on a pin might make you drop out of forums all together.
It would have been sad to lose what you brought to the other place - I mean courtesy, experience, willingness to try the new, ready to share your knowledge.
I could go on but will save your blushes.
Good to see you here and I'll look forward to learning from your posts.

 

[JIM D.]

Hi Glenn: Yes the use of accordions in modern popular music has affected sales. What has also affected the rise of popularity and sales of accordions in the past 10 years is the introduction of digital accordions. In the past century there was a period of time called "THE GOLDEN AGE OF ACCORDIONS" and this was between the years of 1930 to 1970. During this period if you went into a music shop there would be a section or wall of shelves that had accordions of all types and sizes for sale. Since the 1970's the popularity of the accordion diminished to the point where if you wished to by an accordion you went to auctions or to pawn shops to find them. Music shops stopped carrying them as they just sat on shelves and gathered dust. With the advent of the Roland digital line of accordions and their use in popular music most of the music dealers today have included them in their inventory. JIM D.

 

[Soulsaver]

Hi Jim Sooo good to know we have the expertise of such an experienced 'hand' on hand, so to speak.
Their loss is our gain, welcome on board ( yes I know it was you who told me......)

Ed