There are some Irish players who play single-row boxes: I have a CD of a John O'Halloran playing a melodeon. And there are many tunes you could play on one row in D. My understanding is that it becomes a bit of a different style since you can't mash your fingers cross-row like you can on a B/C or C#/D.

The main issue might be the difference in tuning styles, with Irish boxes more likely "equal tempered", and Cajun boxes generally tuned in a kind of modified "just" tempering.

Is it that you already have a Cajun accordion and are thinking of playing Irish music, or that you have a Double Ray or some other Irish system box, and are thinking of playing Cajun music?

Will you be playing by yourself, or do you intend on popping in at the local pub session?

S'b'B

Self. Total beginner. Tinkerer. Have nothing (except 2 yard-sale polka accordions, 1 too big (120 bass) & 1 too small (12 bass)). Wish I could buy something, but it's starting to seem like I might as well wish for a church organ. Not like learning to play a guitar, which you can find a starter for $69.
My only Irish experience is on fiddle. Also minimal, just for myself.

Get a First Act accordion for $20 at Kmart/Walmart/Toys 'R Us.

They're pretty servicable for what they are. You'll run out of air more easily, and only have 7 buttons instead of 10, but its a good start.

Do NOT get other toy accordions. The scales are wrong, and they're not as durable.

I guess you can't go wrong investing only $20 in the First Act box. Those are in the key of C, no doubt. You could get some slow-down/pitch-shift software like the amazing slowdowner www.ronimusic.com (others have different favorites, including free stuff) so you could play and Irish CD shifted to the key of the box: no need to have multiple boxes for multiple keys just for learning.

blue norther Steve,
You can't go wrong with the First Act. What is nice about them is that once you feel confident enough to get a regular accordion, you can give the First Act to a relatives child or even a neighborhood kid who shows interest in the sounds. If your like me, $$$ being tight, go from the First Act to a cheap made in China. Since you are not going to be playing in a club or band but just for tinkering, keep it cheap. If I'm not mistaken, there is a posting with information on playing the First Act. Dwight??

LeonR

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/et-toy

Irish accordionist Johnny Connelly has an Acadian in his arsenal. you CAN do absolutely anything!. Cultural etiquette and conventions are bs. Play a Chinese instrument if that's you budget. Play a 120 bass if that's what you're comfortable with.
If you have it in you, it'll come out making sense on a 10 cent kazoo. Your 4000 dollar Falcon won't do a thing for you otherwise. Trust you ears first and take everyone else's advice with a pinch of salt.
By the way , that dude Esteban WOULD be able to play unplugged Napalm Death (provided he tuned it down to low low D).
Good luck
JP

Johnny ConnOlly usually plays very simple 4 stop Hohners in both C and D

I have his 3 CD's.. all three are brilliant playing

Of course you can play "Irish" music on a "Cajun" accordion.. if you play in an Irish style.. but still because of the tuning it won't sound Irish

I've done it and I don't care what others think

If you want to play "Irish" on a 1 row 4 stop accordeon get a Hohner 114... somewhat wet tuned but

These play Irish and Quebec style nicely and are more than passable for cajun

A Cajun box does not sound as good in Quebec and Irish if "just" tuned


If you want a versatile box go with the Hohner 114

The little 7 button accordeons have one major flaw

thwey usually start the scale on the 3rd button.. would be better if they started on the 2nd
They are available at flea markets and swap meets for around $10-15

If I remember, the First Act is only missing the #'s 1, 9 and 10 buttons.

Its missing 1,2 and 10. I can live without the 1 and 2, but that 10 would be nice to have.

I can do without the 10 but when I use the #7 on my First Act, my dog acts like she will bite my fingers off if I don't stop. She is in for a surprise when I get my cheap fleabay Morelli next week. Hope she will forgive me when I get a real Cajun made accordion in a year or hopefully less.

Every species has a critic.

The toy accordions you get at flea markets and such are usually the Hero brand, or some other crap.

DON'T get one of those. The scales are wrong, sometimes approaching incomprehensible, and are poorly made. Get the First Act accordion. $20.

I have about 6 of these.. in differing brands.. none of them "first act",, but all look like the first act
so I will deduce they are all made in the same place..

I have dissected them all and swapped parts and padded them and retuned them replaced the thumb and bass straps and so on..

Usually end up with two real good ones..

Perhaps the makers/importers will read this and make a 9 or 10 button for $35 .. now that would be great.

May be made in the same place, but not to the same specifications or standards.

I suspect they are getting their feet held to the fire a bit more with this brand.