My video debut

[mgavrilov]

Hi! At last I completed and uploaded my first ever video. I really put a lot of effort in it, as well as in the audio for which I thank JerryPH for the advices he gave me last year. I can, of course, spot some things that I could do better in the next video, so any suggestions are welcomed 

Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0jnFpdpTKc&

 

[losthobos]

Lovely tune...

 

[jozz]

nice one

video, audio, playing, accordion.. everything in order

thumbs up

 

[dunlustin]

Very enjoyable!

 

[Dingo40]

Mihail, 

Impressive!

Also, I very much like the sonorous sounds of your bass notes. 

All good!

 

[Eddy Yates]

Yes, very enjoyable, Mihail! One of the most impressive things about your playing is that you keep excellent time from beginning to end. Very rare.

 

[Zevy]

Very nice. Well done!

 

[mgavrilov]

I am very glad you enjoy it! 

 

[debra]

Very well played. I don't like that deep bass + high chords register, but it's a matter of taste. Also, the E and sometimes F base notes are not very responsive (in their lowest reed). I guess that's why it's not a bayan (which would not have a problem with the lowest bass notes).

 

[mgavrilov]

I'm always impressed by your hearing, Paul   Indeed, the lowest reed of the E bass note responds a little bit slower, maybe it's an easy fix, making a little bit of reed voicing (bending the reed towards the reed plate, I have done that on some of the treble reeds, which responded slower and I am satisfied with the result), but I don't think it's worth opening the instrument for it, since I don't know if this fix works for the large bass reeds, and also maybe it adds a little bit of contrast in the music itself, which may be a positive thing.

 

[Tom]

Great, thanks!

 

[debra]

I'm always impressed by your hearing, Paul   Indeed, the lowest reed of the E bass note responds a little bit slower, maybe it's an easy fix, making a little bit of reed voicing (bending the reed towards the reed plate, I have done that on some of the treble reeds, which responded slower and I am satisfied with the result), but I don't think it's worth opening the instrument for it, since I don't know if this fix works for the large bass reeds, and also maybe it adds a little bit of contrast in the music itself, which may be a positive thing.

 
Voicing is always a matter of finding a compromise: when the opening is too small the reed responds quickly under low pressure (low volume) but chokes under high pressure, and when it is too large the reed responds slowly under low pressure but never chokes. The stronger the steel the smaller the opening can be without the choking danger. This explains why bayan reeds are very responsive: they are made of a stronger steel than normal accordion reeds. (And it explains why an Italian "bayan" using normal accordion reeds does not respond like a Russian bayan.)

 

[Dingo40]

Interesting points, Paul 

 

[mgavrilov]

I took the accordion now and paid attention to those notes and I found out that they just sound higher than the rest of the bass notes, it's not really a slow starting reed  I think that the lowest note of the bass of this accordion is the D. Just some observations

 

[Simon Max]

Nice playing.
I used to think that the quality of music is the only thing that counts, but lately I realised that people get more involved if the player is enjoying himself. It probably comes from the hippies etc., but that's how it is.
As you are new to recording, the tension is understandable.
If you preform in front of people, you should make an effort to connect to them. It takes time, but most entertainers manage it.
Many home/ family players never get there, and still do very well.
Good luck.

Simon from the Holy Land

 

[mgavrilov]

I agree completely, it's a skill I have to practice, because I haven't done it and making eye contact with the camera, etc. is important

 

[JeffJetton]

Hi! At last I completed and uploaded my first ever video. I really put a lot of effort in it, as well as in the audio for which I thank JerryPH for the advices he gave me last year. I can, of course, spot some things that I could do better in the next video, so any suggestions are welcomed 

Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0jnFpdpTKc&

Nice work!

 

[Thomas N]

Nice playing.
I used to think that the quality of music is the only thing that counts, but lately I realised that people get more involved if the player is enjoying himself. It probably comes from the hippies etc., but that's how it is.
As you are new to recording, the tension is understandable.
If you preform in front of people, you should make an effort to connect to them. It takes time, but most entertainers manage it.
Many home/ family players never get there, and still do very well.
Good luck.

Simon from the Holy Land

This is really true. I grew up on Myron Floren, Dick Contino and the like.  Lawrence Welk had an edict - you smiled and looked like you were enjoying what you were doing or you were out! Dick Contino was a great accordionist.  No way on the level of Frank Marocco or Art Van Damme. But an entertainer he was. You can watch YouTube videos of him throughout his career and he just looked like he was having fun.

It's one of the reasons I've never been much of a fan of accordion competitions where there is little emotion (to me) and winning is based upon complete mastery of the piece. They have their place but it's not for me.

Sometimes watching an old man play an ethnic tune that means a lot to him will move me like no other player.

I find playing for a video to be difficult.  Hard to interact with just a camera and no audience. Concentrating on the technical aspects and sound is a good idea. The interaction with the "audience" will come.

I always appreciate every video somebody uploads.  I am amazed at that playing and the amount of time it takes to get something to us speaks a lot about the dedication of those that make these.

Every one I've made I've hated.  I can't stand to watch myself play.  So I applaud those that do post.

 

[JeffJetton]

This is really true. I grew up on Myron Floren, Dick Contino and the like.  Lawrence Welk had an edict - you smiled and looked like you were enjoying what you were doing or you were out! Dick Contino was a great accordionist.  No way on the level of Frank Marocco or Art Van Damme. But an entertainer he was. You can watch YouTube videos of him throughout his career and he just looked like he was having fun.

I have a deep appreciation for someone's ability to entertain. When I see/hear someone who is very good, it's impressive and laudable, but I understand how it happens (you take lessons, study, and spend a huge amount of time in the woodshed). But when I see someone who is able to really get an audience to have a good time, I just can't figure it out. Where did they learn that? How did they get so good at it?

I remember catching Wayne Newton in Las Vegas once, back when he was in residence at the Stardust. This was several years ago, but nonetheless after his "prime". His voice was completely shot, and his singing was, frankly, lousy. The songs were outdated and the jokes were corny.

And yet it was one of the best shows I've ever seen in my life. I kid you not.

No idea how he pulled that trick of showmanship off. The guy was a master.

 

[Thomas N]

This is really true. I grew up on Myron Floren, Dick Contino and the like.  Lawrence Welk had an edict - you smiled and looked like you were enjoying what you were doing or you were out! Dick Contino was a great accordionist.  No way on the level of Frank Marocco or Art Van Damme. But an entertainer he was. You can watch YouTube videos of him throughout his career and he just looked like he was having fun.

I have a deep appreciation for someone's ability to entertain. When I see/hear someone who is very good, it's impressive and laudable, but I understand how it happens (you take lessons, study, and spend a huge amount of time in the woodshed). But when I see someone who is able to really get an audience to have a good time, I just can't figure it out. Where did they learn that? How did they get so good at it?

I remember catching Wayne Newton in Las Vegas once, back when he was in residence at the Stardust. This was several years ago, but nonetheless after his "prime". His voice was completely shot, and his singing was, frankly, lousy. The songs were outdated and the jokes were corny.

And yet it was one of the best shows I've ever seen in my life. I kid you not.

No idea how he pulled that trick of showmanship off. The guy was a master.

UNREAL! I had the same experience! Took my then-girlfriend, now wife, to see Wayne Newton maybe 20 years ago.  We sat in a booth crammed in with another couple we didn't know.  His show was incredible! At the beginning he announced that he had a cold so it would be hard to hit some notes.  The lady sitting with us leaned over and said "he's had that same cold for a decade now".  

He ended up going around the audience and wrapped his scarf around my wife. It was hilarious! I recall that he had a young kid on keyboards and guitar that was outrageously good.

Those old-timers really knew how to put on a show!