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Finishing a tune on closed bellows is another thing I have never quite understood.
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It allows you to react graciously to the audience after a performance without an intermittent fumbling and hissing phase. Thats most of it I guess. Some instruments do not even have an air button, and on many it is inconveniently placed. I am actually glad that my main instrument was specially-built for a player used to diatonic instrument air management (where you have to compensate sometimes for serious mismatch between pushing and pulling): an easily reachable decorative stripe running down the whole length of the bass side is an air button with extra-large (and thus rather silent) hole.


That makes bellows adjustments comparatively convenient, inconspicuous and fast.

Another rationale is that the usual starting position is on the draw from a closed bellows (for similar reasons): ending there allows you to start the next piece in a common starting position without an additional setup phase.

I am currently working on one piece starting with two 4-bar segments on one breath each, and a crescendo in between. This only works by starting from an already half-open bellows and it is surprisingly hard/awkward to remember moving to that starting position before even beginning: its just so common to start with a closed instrument.
 

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JeffJetton post_id=56907 time=1523125832 user_id=1774 said:
I think you sound great, Jiri! Keep the videos coming.
And Im glad you got rid of the hat. Im one of the few anti-hat accordion players myself. :-)
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Hello Jeff,
thank you,!
I will continue with recordings {} and probably also without hat on the head :).
Jiri
 
Geronimo,

I never begin a tune with my bellows fully closed. They are almost closed, but not quite. It is what I have found works best for me, but I do not necessarily recommend this technique for everyone.

I enjoyed Jiri's rendition of the Godfather theme very much, and saw nothing in his performance to suggest that he needs my help or advice. My comments were based on my own experiences in Folk Music venues, where little foibles do not attract any form of criticism.

If Jiri was ever to play at my Folk Club, the members would simply treat him as one of their own. Jiri may drop the occasional note (as we all do from time to time) but he would still receive generous and genuine applause. Our Club is a community, you could say a family, and anyone who takes the time, trouble and effort to make a contribution is made to feel part of it all.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.
 
It seems that the accordion draws more than its fair share of controversy compared with other so called "popular" instruments.

The Italian maestro Davide Anzaghi described the accordion as an instrument capable of being enjoyed by people from all walks of life, to be played at whatever level of competency they choose.

Unfortunately he also stated that "even tram drivers" can enjoy the accordion and students should avoid musette tuned instruments, as their sound is inferior.

Most accordion methods I've seen contain the author's opinions on what constitutes best practice, although there are one or two which concentrate on the job of teaching the student to play the instrument without laying down hard and fast rules.

Like many other members I play other instruments, and consult various media for inspiration, notably You Tube. Guitar tuition is often punctuated by the teacher giving clear indication to would be students that they should not worry too much about "correct" fingering or how to hold the guitar etc. The focus is being able to play the music by whatever technique is best suited to the student.

There aren't many CBA lessons on You Tube, and the few that do exist also tend to give the student at least some scope to utilise techniques that may differ from the teacher.

I fully appreciate that the accordion is perhaps a more sophisticated and complex instrument than most, and it may well be the case that there is certain etiquette with regard to bellows movement and control. Having never received any formal tuition on the instrument I cannot really make further comment in any professional capacity.

However, I've watched a lot of players play over the years and couldn't tell you whether they started or finished with the bellows open or closed. Andre Verchuren used to regularly finish playing with the accordion held above his head!

If you are playing in conservatory conditions then people are bound to watch your every movement for "correctness".

However, I would proffer that a large number of professional players will never have played in a conservatory or at a formal concert setting in their lives, and just play the instrument by whatever means they are able.

OK, the accordion traditionally seems to have been studied using a grading system, which would probably necessitate an element of formal performance to achieve the grades concerned.

These days there aren't all that many teachers left, so an ever increasing number of "students" just have to buy the books and get on with it if they want to play at all.

I am a keen advocate of "each to their own preference".

Well played Jiri !!!
 
@maugein96 :

What else to say ? Just - well written.
And, do not forget - thank you :).
Jiri
 
Welcome Jiri!

TomBR post_id=56864 time=1523007538 user_id=323 said:
I think JerryPH who is a member here is particularly interested in Czech music.
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Since both my parents were Czech, that would kind of explain that... lol

Ahoj Jiri. Jsem se narodil v Kanadě, ale oba moji rodiče jsou Češi, tak také mluvím trochu česky.
 
Hello to everyone.
My name is Mohammad and I have started playing the amazing accordion for a year. I have started to learn the instrument with the Italian "Berben Method" book. I have enjoyed every lesson of this wonderful book and I'm enjoying every note that comes out of this magical and wonderful instrument. I found this forum two days age and from the first seconds I started to register and join this great group. It is a great pleasure to know you all and start learning from you.
Wish you all the best
Cheers From Tehran
 
Welcome Mohammad!
 
JerryPH post_id=58921 time=1525645444 user_id=1475 said:
Since both my parents were Czech, that would kind of explain that... lol

Ahoj Jiri. Jsem se narodil v Kanadě, ale oba moji rodiče jsou Češi, tak také mluvím trochu česky.
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Hi Jerry,
until now I have found your answer - thanks for czech words ! It is really nice.

Potěšil jsi mě :).

With regards,
Jiri
 
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