Without this forum and the support and resources here, I just probably would not have been able to stick with the accordion. I've got a long long way to go, but I've got you guys to help me along.

I'd like to plan on dedicating July - August - September to standard jam circle songs for the newcomers to help them get a little repertoir. Songs that have been heard over and over and "everybody" knows. There is a reason they've been heard over and over and over.. They're just great songs. Lacassine, Midland, and on and on.

I remember my huge frustration from my first Balfa Camp at just not being able to play any of the standards. I was far removed from it all and had a few obscure songs under my belt - songs that nobody else knew. Let's help the new, learning folks. It's about passing it along.

Sooo.. You folks who have been doing this a while.. Jamey, Gainey, Chris, Bryan, Nedro, Jim and all the others - Help me out. It would be really special if "Grandpa across the water" could be gotten to do something. Please commit to having a simple instructional of a standard jam circle song - waltz or 2-step - that will get a beginner who has the basics under their belt a credible song to play at the jams.

First come, first serve. Respond here and we'll hook up for the month and the song you'd like to do.

It's for the children....

John in Oregon

Technical issues on my end are preventing videos.

I hope that it's not a lack of accordion, Bryan.

John in Oregon

Well, kinda that, too. I don't really have a C. Every time I make myself one I decide I need the money more than the accordion. Only my original, which is now a D, I won't let go.

I have a recorder, but it's a pain to do videos. It records to a disc, so I have to finish the disc, load it on the computer, then upload to youtube. A pain to do each month. I did record Dixie Rambler (Tite Fille Two Step), but something went wrong on finalizing the disc and the computer won't read it. And the cord to load straight from the recorder to computer never has worked. Sighhhhh....

I use a usb camera directly attached to the computer. Quality isn't great, but it gets the job done.

John in Oregon