Greetings to y'all,

I've been "stalking" these forums for little over two months now and finally decided to introduce myself. Me, I'm an artist from Baton Rouge, living and working in New Orleans, and occasionally teach in the LSU School of Art. The Cajun language was lost in my family 2 generations back, but I decided to create a "renaissance" of sorts to revive + preserve it - and include learning Cajun accordion.

I've loved Cajun music since I was little and bought a used Hohner 114 (and yes, it's the model made in China, but purchased from someone who purchased it from Marc Savoy's store, haha). I've been practicing for a little while now, but a few different things about this accordion don't sit right with me, including the bass spoons. The next logical step: Move on to a handmade Cajun accordion. Right? AWW YEAH TEE!

If anyone is interested, I'd be willing to make a trade - new custom artwork (created by me) for either a new custom handmade accordion or a used handmade accordion that's in good condition. My website should be the first link below.

Please excuse my long first entry, I'm just very excited about the abundance of knowledge in this forum and getting in touch with y'all.

Have a good one!

- Jonathan Mayers

P.S. Chris Miller, Big Nick, and Jim Pettijohn - I want to thank y'all for the instructional videos you post on youtube.

Hi Jonathan,
Welcome in one-row heaven


I played once a H114 and I had an argument immediately with the spoons.
But it seems possible to play the right way with them.

Bienvenue chez les Braves!
Most players place two fingers on the bassbox and play with index and pinky, but if you do that with a 114 it's pretty **** uncomfortable!!
I don't remember how I did it. I think I didn't put down any finger at all, and i played with index and ring finger.

Merci Beacoup! I'm glad to be on here now and appreciate the welcome.

@ meloderon & Peer - Yeah, these spoons are tricky! At first I used my ring and index fingers - figured it was a bad habit to do so, then forced myself to hold it using my middle and ring finger closer to the edge of the bass box. This way when I use my index and pinky (which actually rest closer to the smaller part of the spoons), those two fingers holding the bass box don't get pinched to oblivion by the spoons , plus hopefully it trains my hand to hold it more properly for later, hehe. It's definitely still playable for sure

Welcome aboard, Jonathon. I had an HA-114 and found it to be adequate for a few months, but as I progressed, I made the jump to a hand-made. Those spoons are a b*tch.

The hand-made accordions, even by the lesser-known builders, are, by design easier to play. Good players can play an HA-114 well, but those with undeveloped skills will have a harder time with it. Ordinary folks need the benefit of a good instrument to do their best work.

Lache pas!

I hear ya! I used to play drums - had bottom of the line for a few years to start with, then went to TAMA Starclassic Maple. The difference in tonal range was night and day. Same goes with playing a mass produced banjo as to playing a prewar Gibson banjo, you just can't beat awesome. HAHA!

@Christian - Merci pour la video.

I know the guy on the video

Hey Ron, hope to see you at the picking party next saturday!

On website #1: the ultimate solution to the 114 spoons problem.
Almost 6 years ago! time flies.

Hey Peer, see you tomorrow.