Bottom line is you're not playing it right. Right handed player so box usually on left knee. Right hand has thumb loop and treble buttons and this part of the box stays on the knee. Left hand has the hand strap and bass buttons and this is what you pull or push so it does not belong on the knee. The dynamics are such that the pull or push force, since the bellows has a longitudinal stiffness, is resisted by the reaction created by the thump pulling on its loop or pushing on the edge of the button board and to a much lesser extent the friction between box and knee. Since these forces are in equilibrium it is not possible for the box to laterally displace (in Texarkana I believe this is referred to as 'wander'). As a point of interest I read someplace that Austin Pitre played with no straps or knees.
Yea your probably right about 'not playing right' I am quite knew to this instrument.
I have never seen anyone playing Cajun music with the box on their 'left knee'..
Have seen English Irish using on left knee but they look like they are reaching a fair bit with the right hand.. Looks uncomfortable to me..
So I will try the things you mention see how it goes.. From what you say I figure I have to pull down toward my knee to keep it there.. ok will try that.
Interesting instrument thats for sure. thanks again
Maybe your thumbstrap is to open for your thumb.
You can tiden that up a bit and than it's easier to keep it on the same place.
Hi Meloderon
Well, I had thought that also but I have an elastic around it to tighten it up and it does work. I really have to shove my thumb in there up past the knuckle and its quite tight..
I also read somewhere that it helps to cross your legs and put box between somehow. No idea what that means let alone which leg cross.. Left over right or right over left..
tnx for that tho appreciate it.. Me thinks just have to practice more..
It may just be a mislabeling of body parts, but I believe most Cajun accordion players that don't use a strap, play with it on the upper to lower thigh. Most of the time it is on the left because that gives the bellows more room to be pulled open. On the right thigh, the bellows would be constricted by how far apart you had your legs.
Well I have been at it now for a couple of days with my 'box' sitting on my left leg roughly closer to my body than my knei but out enough to keep my right arm fairly straight.. Seems to work ok.. Only thing is now my wrist and up the right side of my right arm up to a few inches from my elbow but more to the wrist is aching like a b***h that I can now barely play..
Could be tho just a breakin in period using muscles haven't used in what ever position I am in.. I understand that. I remember back when I was 13 the aches and stuff I went thru first learning guitar. so could be the same thing. .. .. 'maybe'
Am I supposed to keep my wrist straight or bent.. ??
Hmm !! any fixes for that... Geez I think I might go back to my guitar or take up the fiddle.. ;-)
HI all
Hmm !! any fixes for that... Geez I think I might go back to my guitar or take up the fiddle.. ;-)
tnx again..
Johnnie
Me again.. lol..
Well I fixed my problem. No one seemed or seems to have this problem of mine.
I figured out, at least for me, what it was/is.. The round chrome thing that is on the corners with a fair size radius is what is making it slide all over..
Ok ok,, no one has this prob and thats fine,, but I do/did !!
SO !! Made an appointment with the Surgeon !
Surgery took place and the patient is alive and well with a new addition to the wardrobe..
I took a piece of one of my old, elk hide bagpipe bag, and cut a strip and tacked it to the bottom corner that sits on the thigh.. from about 1 inch up from the rad, then around the rad and 1 inch along.. Did it last night..
Tried it out earlier.. Guess what.
Sticks to my thigh no matter what I am wearing or not wearing.. Works very well. So thanks for trying to help of those that did. Appreciate it.