Welcome to old and new friends who are interested in discussing Cajun and other diatonic accordions, along with some occasional lagniappe....
CAJUN ACCORDION DISCUSSION GROUP
Ups and downs.... it could be one of dozens of reasons.
I have taken a sabatical from playing my own self, for reasons that may be differant.
Physical pain can cause ya to subside. I have a bad cyst on that tendon/nerve in the left wrist. Simple placement of that hand in the strap of the bass side gets real nasty for me. It will get medical attention in the new year... lend to that some torn muscles in the left forearm (healed now) and it serves good reason. blah blah and a blah.
I wonder why myself sometimes:
I do know that Tommy has been playing accordion for a number of years. The music is in his head and it can transfer to the fingers and actions when called upon... so it is not like he is a frustrated learner (if you are a learner, it is ok to be frustrated).
I don't play a lot of various instruments and I have never seen any stage fame from days gone by to make me wonder where it all went (perhaps like Tom)and if it would ever re-manafest itself. But, as much time and torment that this particular music (while learning) presents, it is enough to make many within the first several years (from remote locations) want to set this thing aside. Perhaps it is an absense of others rooted to this music that gets next to a person, who can say(?).
Truth Time Questions:
How many Braves have ever gotten frustrated with this music?
How many have put down the accordion for a spell and pick it up, and, go on to play their best?
How many thought this thing would be mastered in a year or two?
Hang on to this one:
Q. How many are bugged by the idea that they don't play like Jason Frey or Steve Riley or Chris Miller or Geno (tossing that in for the Zydeco fans) and a number of other artists that make this thing walk, talk and do whatever they command it to??
Simple is ok! Or is it?
Gotta be who you are with this thing. (we've discussed that many times on this board)
Perhaps that is the ultimate tune we all must learn and remember.
In closing this Nonc book segment:
If ever I had played music with Janis Joplin, or Cheryl Crow (like Tommy has) and others, perhaps I too would wonder why this elussive accordion thing needs to be in the picture for my needs where other instruments are stand outs or rather, outstanding. Just a thought. Could be the cross roads of matters.
You know whooo.. Nonc something-or-another...
The April 2011 Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week
