Greezy, you're preachin' to the choir. The thumb is double-jointed, both are that way, inherited from my dad. It forces a bad angle, and playing on the knee is difficult because the arched thumb wants to rotate out of the loop. I've got a few work-arounds and can play OK sitting, but better standing. 'Even tried to fashion a splint, but it didn't work. My alignment is dictated to me rather than the other way around, so I have to work a little harder at to find a good compromise.
As a kid I played trumpet, 3 buttons with the fingers arched and resting lightly on the button tops. 50 years later, I forgot about that, and learned the accordion with flying fingers. I've worked on it gradually over the last 3 years and have improved, but I ain't there yet. Steve Riley told me as long as I was hitting the right buttons, don't worry about it.
Thanks for your observations and advice. That's what we're here for.
The group anxiously awaits your video debut on the SOTM. When may we expect your offering?
Nedro, please tell me Steven Riley didn't charge you $50 and hour for teaching you the accordion??!!! Did he go over anything associated with keeping rhythm such as foot tapping etc?
Nooo, you didn't fail yet Mr. Nedro. You still got years to go. And this conversation will be in the back of your head from now on. It will drive you toward your goal. Failure would have been to never have tried like some of my relatives who had all the opportunity. Them dirty bstrds still look upon Cajun music as if it were something dirty and a bad memory for them. I am a fierce advocate that an accordion player should take time to sharpen his/her skills mostly in private because of those relative's harsh judgement. This fate probably fell on the masters of the past too. They got discovered once they had sharpened those skills to the point that the people couldn't help but to notice them, or they recorded a record. But you know, some never recorded nor sought attention, or even a bandstand out of humbleness and fear I bet. The accordion was just a past time. They worked for a living at other things that actually put food on the table. Stick with it friendo.
Er Frosty. Sure I would share some sounds from my accordion with you. But it would depend on whether I felt up to it when you'd come to my house and asked me to play something for you in person. If I was feeling good, then I'd play my soul out for you through my music and song. And might even let you record me with your phone or video machine if I trusted you enough. But if I wasn't feeling too good, I'd make you play something first. Then I'd ask you to play more and more and more until you reached the end of your repertoire and confidence. Then I would slowly take out my accordion and put it on my lap and say, "^***&@#$"":">/ ;'. =-0(0)(0) 3>>>>$.
That's why I don't share too much of my music.
Why don't you show us how it's done accordion master Greezy.. You sure talk a great deal about your Cajun accordion techniques and expertise. Especially about the old timers way of playing (I agree, it's the best and it's difficult to imitate those powerful emotions).
The best way to try and learn these techniques of playing as you already know is by listening and watching closely. Why not inspire us and show us how you express yourself on the Cajun accordion that you seem to have so much knowledge and expertise on. You say you have 25 years experience lets see it.
At least Marc gives us something to learn from. That includes you.
GF, I'm sensing hostility from you. You should know, that if I were to show my face on video, I would be instantly transformed into one who has to protect his reputation. By hiding my identity, I don't have to conform to anyone's rules and niceties if I don't want to. I can tell it like it is and get right to the root of the bull **** without fear of judgment by my peers and strangers alike. I am the one who will hit on "unspoken" topics in hopes of having clarity come out of the discussion for everyone. I do not care for all of the mystery, magic, and misguidance of accordion playing because it slows accordion players down from learning the fact that..(it's not all that hard to do if you only had the guidance). There is a whole lot of secrecy, lies, ignorance, and misinformation associated with Cajun French music and the money made from it believe it or not. Lots of musicians have copied or outright plagerized other musicians songs and never gave credit to the original creator. All to make a good reputation for the "theif". "Scrath a Lie, Find A Theif." I've seen it time and time again, and it shows it's ugly face more and more as I delve into the history of Cajun music. Everybody wants to be the King, or the God Father, or the Duke, or the Queen of Accordion. Well, I will be the one in the crowd that calls "Bull ****!" I am embedded right in the heart of Cajun Country. You'd should know that. And I am Cajun and a Cajun musician. 4th generation accordion player to be exact. Just be grateful I've jumped the fence and taken up the fight for the innocent beginner, novice, and advanced accordion player, and even the "outsider".
I'm Cajun as well and agree with you on the BS that surrounds the music; especially in the "Heart Land". Just post something without your face. A sound file would even suffice for me.
Get a drum machine or a looper, if practicing at home...create a backing track of drum/guitar. That'll keep you alert to the tempo. I found that, although I have a well developed natural rhythm, it's great to have an accompaniest or a band behind you to keep the accordion playing up to the mark...it's like your adrenalin kicks in and suddenly you're on the beat, and you may just surprise yourself ! My Humble Opinion.
Darryl, you're exactly right. I'm not rhythmically challenged. With accompaniment, I do OK. Without, there's just way too much going on with the squeezebox. Working past the jerkiness, then come the rushing tempo. My goal is unconscious consistency.
ON THE OTHER HAND..you simply need to have the skills of fellow Discussion Board contributor, Robert LeBlanc, and sit in a nice reverby room, then all would be well with the World of UN-Accompanied Cajun Accordion playing...LOL.
Mr Greezy - somewhere in all your excitement I usually find an opinion I can agree with. The sometime mystic belief in the Cajun accordion and its music quite often astounds me. I rejoice in you not putting out a video and thus we avoid yet another prophet of the Church of Cajun Accordion who shall be revered and his scripture quoted. So thanks for that.
You're welcome Mr Guy. Hey Nedro, I got something that might help with that thumb and thumb strap of yern. Go to the accordion maker and make him adjust your thumb strap to fit your situation. Or, you can adjust the strap yourself and make that thumb do right by you. That's what I'd try.
Greezy, thanks, but "my accordion builder" is 300 miles away. I am my own accordion repair man.
I've developed a small leather shop experimenting with various leathers and softening treatments, along with every possible width, length, thickness, and angle. Adding lacing at the midpoint and constraints is another modification.
I've got it under control. YOU seem to be the one most uncomfortable with it, and I apologize for your discomfort.
Not uncomfortable. Antsy maybe. The right thumb strap and playing hand position make a lot of difference in the outcome of playing accordion. Lots of people overlook it, but what's the very first thing we notice when we get to play someone else's accordion. (The thumb strap feels or looks too loose, or too tight) And Nedro, because I care makes me antsy.