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seeking suggestions on first songs to learn

Yo Braves,

Once again I call upon the vast ocean of
expertise and experience of the Bravenet
Forum membership :-)

What do suppose would be good first songs
(waltz & 2-step) for a beginner to learn?

I mean, besides '99-Year Waltz' or 'High Point
Two step'?

I'd much appreciate any ideas!

Merci beaucoup!

--Big

Re: seeking suggestions on first songs to learn

I've had great fun learning Diggy Liggy Lo. Easy to learn to play. Easy to add in left hand. Great fun for the bouncing finger.

Marc Savoy on Evangeline a great inspiration.

Hal

Re: seeking suggestions on first songs to learn

Hey Nick,
Here is my 2 cents worth.
For the 2 step:
Bayou Pon Pon.....learned it on my own, was not too hard. Nice toe tappin tune.

Waltz
Crowley Waltz.
Easy with out too much diffulculty. Really like the B part of this beautiful walzt.
Marks

Re: seeking suggestions on first songs to learn

There is a Louisiana state law, part of the Napoleanic Code, that states:

"Jai Passe Devant Ta Porte MUST be the first cajun accordion song learned, by those within the domicile of the state of Louisiana. It is considered a felony to infract this code. Those residing elsewhere will be remanded to 2500 hours community service, in part or in whole in the production of hogs head cheese."

Re: Re: seeking suggestions on first songs to learn

Howdy Dwight ..

Thanks for the comment.

Actually, I'm getting more serious about publishing
a .. *GASP* .. accordion training DVD.

I'd like to do a "starter" first.

Mark Savoy already covered J'ai Passe in his first
VHS tape.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

--Big

Re: Re: Re: seeking suggestions on first songs to learn

The first 2 I learned on my own and felt comfortable playing were Eunice two step and Valse Criminelle.

Re: Re: Re: seeking suggestions on first songs to learn

Shoot, now you done gone and got all friendly with me and stuff, I'll have to get serious and all. ;-)

Eunice Waltz
Flamme d'Enfer

Actually, "Jai Passe" was a serious suggestion. You can teach people to work up and down the keyboard playing octaves, and once they get comfortable with that, sneak in the beginning of Jai Passe when they are coming down the keyboard. I've done this with a novice and it worked great. He never knew what hit him. The jumps in the second passage can take some time for folks, but they're not horrendous.

Jai Passe is trickier to get the left side coordinated than would be Eunice Waltz, at least for a novice.

"Blues de Voyage" came unbidden to me one morning. I woke up with it in my fingers and was suddenly able to play it, without even knowing what the song was or having practiced it before.

It can be played without moving the hand position, and jumping positions can be added a little bit at a time.

duh-wite

Re: seeking suggestions on first songs to learn

Big Nick, I love Home Sweet Home as a first song to learn. Also, Midland Two-Step. Those are my votes.

Rob K.

Re: Re: seeking suggestions on first songs to learn

belizaire Waltz also comes to mind.

Re: seeking suggestions on first songs to learn

I started with Octa's Two Step (Cajun excercise) and Tit yeux noirs.
I think that's a good start

Re: Re: seeking suggestions on first songs to learn

I would nominate the Valse Malchanceau and Eunice 2 Step

Re: Re: Re: seeking suggestions on first songs to learn

I agree with "J'ai passé devant ta porte" for the waltz and... "Choupique" for two-step.
Maz

Re: seeking suggestions on first songs to learn

the first tunes i learned by myself were J`etais au bal, and Madame Sosthene.

Come to think of it, New Iberia Polka was realy the first one, it`s a nice tune but i can only play it in single notes.

wilfred

Re: seeking suggestions on first songs to learn

I think the Love Bridge Waltz and the Back Door. I learned the back door with a little help from Big Nick's site.

Re: Re: seeking suggestions on first songs to learn

I'am still trying to figure out back door, anyone know the button numbers to that tune? It might sound lame, but it helps me pick it up so much faster... It saves beating your head against the wall. lol, And Nick you come up with a DVD on beginner tunes with button numbers it would be a big seller..

Gar

Re: Re: Re: seeking suggestions on first songs to learn

Have you checked out Nick's site?

Re: Re: Re: Re: seeking suggestions on first songs to learn

Yes I have, he only has button numbers on some... But not back door. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

Gary

Gary - seeking suggestions on first songs to learn

Gary,

You may have guessed by now that I am in the planning
stages of putting together a beginers lessons DVD.

I plan on including "button numbers" in my
documentation.

Hopefully, I can include "Back Door" in the DVD.

--Big

Re: Gary - seeking suggestions on first songs to learn

Sounds great Nick, I will be looking forward to your DVD....

Thanks, Gary



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