Newbie from Portland with questions

[BoxCurious]

Hi Everyone!

I'm a middle aged, male multi-instrumentalist living in Portland, Oregon. I hope my introduction doesn't totally bum everyone out, but certain events led me here and will continue to influence my path.

I've been a musician for most of my life and was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. Unfortunately, by the time they caught it, the cancer had metastasized to both of my lungs and my prognosis is terminal. Due to my daily respiratory symptoms, I can no longer play my saxophone or flute, nor can I sing and accompany myself on guitar. However, I want to be able to play music right up until my last day, so I decided I would try to learn a new instrument. A good friend of mine recently brought over a vintage Italian piano accordion he just picked up and I think that may have planted the seed. However, I'm mostly interested in learning to play Irish reels and jigs with the (probably impossible) dream of eventually developing enough skill to play at a session with other musicians, so am thinking I might want a button accordion.

I have questions on how I should proceed, but maybe I'll save them for separate post. Thanks for reading and despite my prognosis, I think you'll find I'm actually a pretty happy guy.

 

[Dingo40]

Welcome BC
Sorry to hear about your health issues and wishing you success with their management .
There's quite a variety of "accordions " all of which may be (and are) used to play "Irish" music.
The main types of accordion include "piano (PA) and "chromatic button (CBA)", both of which are "chromatic", I.e. they play the same musical tone on the one key (or button) on both the "pull" and the push of the bellows. The PAs differ among themselves only in the number of keys on their keyboards and bass buttons on their bass boards . The CBAs come in a variety of numbers of treble buttons, bass buttons, and the way the notes are arranged or laid out. The chief arrangements ( or "griffs") are "C griff" and "B griff", but there are others!
The third common type of "accordion-like" instrument is the "Diatonic Button Accordion " (or (DBA). Also known as "melodeons ".
With DBAs, each button plays a different musical tone (or bass chord) on the pull and the push.
DBAs differ among themselves according to the number of treble rows, bass rows and musical keys tuned in (played by the reeds installed).
If you want more information on DBAs see here:

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forum.melodeon.net

Although most Irish tunes can be played on any kind of accordion, it is generally recognised that to get the kosher sound , musical ornamentation and rhythmic effects, the DBA is the thing.
This brief summary by no means covers the plurality of the world of "accordion "!
Looks as if you'll need to do some research to help you decide which way to go
Good luck!

 

[JeffJetton]

Welcome, BC! While I'm sure we both wish it were better circumstances that brought you to the accordion and from there to this forum, we're glad you're here.

As Dingo40 mentioned, and as you may already know, Irish traditional music is most-commonly played on a diatonic button accordion, specifically a two-row instrument with the rows tuned to keys a half-step apart: Usually either B & C or C# & D. Since your username's initials are "BC", you may have subconsciously already made a decision on that front.

That said, one of my favorite Irish accordionists, Karen Tweed, plays a regular piano accordion. So there's that.

Best wishes!

 

[BoxCurious]

Thanks for the reply! I was confused as to whether a "DBA" was different from a "melodeon, so thank you for clearing that up! I'll check out the Melodeon.net forum.

Best wishes,

Quinn

 

[BoxCurious]

Welcome, BC! While I'm sure we both wish it were better circumstances that brought you to the accordion and from there to this forum, we're glad you're here.

Thanks very much

As Dingo40 mentioned, and as you may already know, Irish traditional music is most-commonly played on a diatonic button accordion, specifically a two-row instrument with the rows tuned to keys a half-step apart: Usually either B & C or C# & D. Since your username's initials are "BC", you may have subconsciously already made a decision on that front.

Yes, you may be right about that!

That said, one of my favorite Irish accordionists, Karen Tweed, plays a regular piano accordion. So there's that.

Best wishes!

Good to know, I'll check her out. Thanks again, Jeff!

 

[dunlustin]

Welcome.
An instrument at the heart of Irish Trad Music (ITM) is the Anglo Concertina - usually 30 keys for ITM.
It is light - about 2 pounds - v portable and is laid out like a 'blues harp.' Well. two of them separated by a bellows.
They can be v expensive but good, playable 'hybrids' can be had for reasonable money.
The Anglo is addictive - you might want to look at it as an extra possibility.

PS: The Session (.org) could be a place to find out more about ITM

 

[JerryPH]

Welcome! Though I cannot offer better advice than already listed, I do wish you the very best!

 

[BoxCurious]

Welcome.
An instrument at the heart of Irish Trad Music (ITM) is the Anglo Concertina - usually 30 keys for ITM.
It is light - about 2 pounds - v portable and is laid out like a 'blues harp.' Well. two of them separated by a bellows.
They can be v expensive but good, playable 'hybrids' can be had for reasonable money.
The Anglo is addictive - you might want to look at it as an extra possibility.

PS: The Session (.org) could be a place to find out more about ITM

Thank you, actually I have been researching concertinas in parallel, though I wasn't sure if I should admit to that here.

On the one hand, concertinas are smaller and presumably lighter than DBA's. As my condition deteriorates, I may find that having a box strapped to my chest becomes more of a challenge, though I understand that melodeons are fairly lightweight.

Ergonomically, I've read that melodeons may be a bit easier on the hands and wrists than concertinas, so that's another concern to weigh as I have some arthritis in my fingers and wrists. I also think I prefer the wet sound of a DBA with two voices compared to the single reed of the concertina.

If there's anyone reading this thread who has tried both instruments, I would be very interested in your thoughts.

Thanks again!

 

[Chickers]

Hello BoxCurious:
Welcome to the forum.
The folks on this forum have lots of good ideas, and info on different options you may consider.
I hope you succeed in sorting out your best fit for your newfound quest to play accordion (or such)
I really thank "you" for your inspiration, and for sharing your love of music.
I thank you for your insight into how music is, and has been such a major part of your life, and through your expression of
your love of music, I believe you have sent a profound message to all.
I wish you the best,

 

[Ventura]

hey BC

wanted to mention there is a certain amount of upper body physical
continuous effort, as well as a certain amount of stamina involved.

so that you are able to pursue this for the maximum length of time,
i would suggest trying to rent a small to medium sized Roland, as
they are lightweight, and can be set to play without even squeezing
the bellows (which is not as much fun, but has been a real boon to
other members who had various things like surgeries and rehab
that made it impossible to squeeze for periods of time)

the keyboard still has "Velocity" but the volume of a sound then
is like playing any other electronic keyboard..

also they have many adjustments that can allow for configuration
of buttons and have an assortment of ethnic toned sounds as
well as typical accordion

best wishes

 

[BoxCurious]

Hello BoxCurious:
Welcome to the forum.
The folks on this forum have lots of good ideas, and info on different options you may consider.
I hope you succeed in sorting out your best fit for your newfound quest to play accordion (or such)
I really thank "you" for your inspiration, and for sharing your love of music.
I thank you for your insight into how music is, and has been such a major part of your life, and through your expression of
your love of music, I believe you have sent a profound message to all.
I wish you the best,

That's very kind of you. Thank you very much, Chickers!

 

[BoxCurious]

Thanks to you all for your ideas, advice, support you've given me. You've really made me feel welcome.

I took the plunge last night and purchased a Hohner Pokerwork B/C Melodeon! This instrument was made in Germany in the 1940's and recently reconditioned, so it should be in good playing shape.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find any B/C Button Accordions locally, so was forced to buy online without trying it first. However, I purchased it from an accordion specialty shop with a good reputation and a generous return policy, so I think I should be covered.

In the words of Tom Petty, "The waiting is the hardest part."