Windows XP with a Multimedia package (whatever that means).

Jude,

Sounds like you’re one your way to becoming a home
recording engineer :-)

To pursue this farther, we’ll probably want to discuss
this “off-line” (i.e., email me directly) ‘cause we’re
starting veer of the topic of accordions .. But, here goes!

You’ll need to plug in a microphone into the back
of your computer. The mic jack is usually identified with
a small microphone symbol (icon). You may need
to reference your hardware manual to locate it.

You can get a microphone at Radio Shack. You’ll
need one that has a miniature plug (also called
3.5 mm or 1/8” plug) to fit the computer.

Now, the easy part.

Click:

Start/All Programs/Accessories/Entertainment/Sound Recorder

And a small sound recorder should appear. Use it just like a
cassette recorder.

The only other thing that you may need to set up is the
computer’s internal connection from the microphone to
the sound recorder.

Click:

Start/Control Panel/Sounds and Audio Devices.

A “Sounds and Audio Device Properties” panel comes up.
Click on “Advanced” and viola! You have a mixing panel.

Click on “Options/Properties/Recording”
and a recording panel pops up, allowing you to select
the microphone as a recording device, and control how
high the recording level will be.

It sounds complex, but it really isn’t.

Anyway, if you can do all this, you can record
a guitar rhythm track to play back and practice
along with.

And, there are all kinds of freebee multi-tracking
programs that will let you create a whole
band to play along with in a similar manner.

Puff, puff ..

--Big Nick

Thanks for the help. I've downloaded Audacity to help with recording and I've found a cheap microphone to start off with.

Now I just need to find a guitarist...

Jude,

Sounds good .. hope it all works out.

With out going nutz on this topic .. yet another
way to do this is to procure software that can
play audio "loops", such as rhythm/drum instruments.

And, MIDI can do this too.

It may seem elaborate, just for the sake of rehearsing,
but if you become comfortable with the technology,
it can be quite a simple process

--Big

I have a couple of friends who play guitar. I think I can get one of them to lay down a rhythm track for me.

Thanks again for all your help.

Jude

Practice????

Bonjour O'Boudreaux, mon ami. Comment allez-vous?

Dwight

Hello Mr. Shacklefordeaux -

We're doing well here in the Midwest. I tested the waters at Balfa Camp for the first time this year and had a blast. And then made the ritual pilgrimage to Fiddle Tunes in Port Townsend where Bon Soir Catin was teaching. So a great spring and summer of new tunes. Now I just need to get a halfway decent handle on them!! Someone hand me the ViseGrips.

I started out first with the Dirks lesson, VHS tapes. Went strictly by them for a long time. Once I learned the scales and blends, that is when I was really playing something decent, you get the know the pattern of the accordion when you play scales. As time goes by you work on your techniques, like wine it gets better as it ages, so will your playing. Get the basic down first, stick with the lessons, them fingers will bend and you will be amazed how much your fingers have grown, being able to reach that No.2 and one button with ease. That was my plan, now I practice at least 2 or 3 times a week now. I will go through what I know, and then work on something new.

What I like to do is set up in the garage where I can get some volume and play through an amp along with a drum machine also plugged in. For Zydeco I think you need to practice with the internal mic played through an amp or system so you can get some volume especially from the bass side. People really like to hear that wooshing bass under the treble. Then I pick a song and try to jam on it playing it as many different ways as I can. I try to remember what sounds good and remember not to play what doesn't! I'll practice vocals and try to play it like I'm at a gig with an emphasis on improvising different thngs while playing at the same time. I'll use different beats and vary the tempo. When working on new stuff I always try and start out real slow until I can play it without thinking. Then gradually speed it up. I finally got a nice version of Waxia Special off of Steve Riley's instructinal DVD done to a Zydeco beat. Now that is a cool song to do because the chord and key changes are just so beautiful. Try it!

I crank it up in my bath and make bubbles