Why have 120 bass keys when you need only 72?

[maugein96]

Stephen,

The only time I stand up while holding an accordion is when I'm carrying it in its case. If I could work out a way to play it lying down I would. At my age standing up and looking the part no longer has any real meaning, and I always adopt the most comfortable sitting position. If I could get somebody else to work the bellows for me I would do that as well.

What I was meaning Terry was those bass side "fancy" chords you can get using combinations of minor/major and single bass notes. I read about them once, after I accidentally "invented" a couple that I liked the sound of. I became so engrossed that I gave up trying to remember what they were called. Brazilian players regularly hit all sorts of weird sounding chords with their left hands, but I haven't any real idea what they are doing. I know what you mean with those big right handers. I have seen fingering charts for 6 note monsters where you cover two buttons on the outside row of a C system CBA with your thumb, but I have enough trouble playing 4 note chords as it is.

Talking of horses for courses we had a couple of horses at one time. One of them was a thoroughbred hurdler and the other one was an American standardbred harness racer, but I couldn't teach either of them to play the accordion. They were both prone to run before they could walk, consistent with them being racehorses. I think I had the same trouble. I just couldn't be bothered learning all the theory!

 

[losthobos]

Maugein...perhaps you should consider dropping layed back music and try a bit of stand up comedy instead

 

[debra]

Hello Paul,

Age plays its part here ..... I wouldnt stand up with a tin-whistle, much less a large accordion. Thirty years ago I would not have even thought about the weight of an instrument, but things change. Now I have an old guy looking back at me from my shaving mirror.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

I fully understand. Even though I still feel young I do have to watch my back and lifting the accordion to put it in my lap to start playing while sitting down is as far as I will go. I do still play while standing... but only with the accordina (heavier than a tin-whistle but not at all like an accordion).
As for the shaving mirror, you can avoid looking back at the old guy by not shaving. (I stopped shaving 32 years ago...) My profile picture is almost 30 years old, so an actual picture would show a few more grey hairs ;-)

 

[maugein96]

Terry,

I might consider "sit-down" comedy, if that ever becomes popular. In the style of an old school Scottish comedian:- " I've been doing stand-up for so long the wife has sold all the beds and chairs in the house."

Sorry, but I don't even have a day job any more!

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Paul,

I grew a beard once, shortly after I left the Army, but it just annoyed the hell out of me. (and my Wife)

Forgive my impudence, but why don't you post an up to date photograph? You are among friends here, many of whom will be grey, bald and slightly overweight. (all three of these things apply to me)

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

John,

Once again, I'm glad it isn't just me.

You can (I know 'cause I've done it) play in a semi-recumbent position. Our lounge suite is one of those feather-stuffed jobs, which moulds itself to your shape. Many Ducks or Geese have given their lives to make me this comfortable, so playing the accordion in a "relaxed" position is my tribute to their sacrifice.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[debra]

Paul,

I grew a beard once, shortly after I left the Army, but it just annoyed the hell out of me. (and my Wife)

Forgive my impudence, but why dont you post an up to date photograph? You are among friends here, many of whom will be grey, bald and slightly overweight. (all three of these things apply to me)

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

I really like my photo. I also have it on my homepage. It has nice memories attached...
But of course I have a large photo collection which once in a while also has a photo with me in it so up to date photos are available. My homepage also has a link to a recent photo, and my photos on the site of my accordion quintets are recent too. I do not dislike the image I see in the mirror at all. It does look very grey but thats ok. Its a sign of wisdom ;-)
Diminishing strength is much worse than what we look like. I can still lift my bayan, but who knows for how much longer. I cannot play my Morino Artiste XS for any length of time any more because it is just too heavy, to lift and to play. (But I do occasionally play it because I love the way it sounds.)

 

[wout]

Well personally i think 72 bass is to small and 96 would do. I never play the bottom buttons and very rarely the top 3 rows. I would be missing the 41 one keys though thats why i switched to 120 bass.

 

[donn]

I would be missing the 41 one keys though thats why i switched to 120 bass.

Sure, and thats really where the size and weight of these accordions comes from - how many notes do you have on the right hand, and how many voices. The extra handful of bass buttons are just wired to the same old reeds, so theyre essentially added at no cost if theres room to do it. I probably would be able to manage OK with 72 bass buttons, but I dont expect Ill ever have to make that choice - I dont expect to see a 72 bass accordion that would otherwise suit me - so it sometimes seems like people make too much of this issue.

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Paul,

I'm sure that you look very distinguished in recent photographs.

Stephen.

 

[debra]

Paul,

Im sure that you look very distinguished in recent photographs.

Stephen.

I hope so.
Here are my wife and I playing at a wedding party:
http://wwwis.win.tue.nl/~debra/photos/huwelijk-stijn-julie/slides/P8139333.jpg>

Im showing this image specifically because I believe it shows that the accordion my wife is playing fits very well whereas the accordion I am playing is a bit small for me. I do have a picture of me with the better fitting bayan that is just about 4cm taller:
http://www.kwintissimo.nl/fotos/paul.jpg>

So size matters! Bigger isnt always better, but neither is smaller.
Things change completely when you play standing up. I can comfortably play on a small 40 bass PA, except for quickly running out of notes on the keyboard (26 notes is a bit limited when youre used to 64...).

 

[wout]

Paul you look familiar! Maybe we met before! I am from helmond originally

 

[debra]

Paul you look familiar! Maybe we met before! I am from helmond originally

I have been playing (and still do) in Accordeana for the past 12 years... (in Helmond).

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Paul,

As I said, very distinguished. Your Wife, if you don't mind me saying so, is a pretty lady.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.