John Whelan on Button Accordion

[acordeonhobby]

felicitaciones, muy lindo canal. buena musica.

saludos

jose

[rsbsas]

Thats how it should be played there aren't too many people that can make button accordian sound like a concertina, He's the best.

[lamargreenleaf]

Most accordians/melodeons have at least 2 sets of reeds per note, which gives them at warmer sound. This instrument sounds like it has only one set of reeds, which gives it a "tinny" concertina sound.

[banjocordian]

@lamargreenleaf - I think there are two sets of reeds here, but it is tuned pretty 'dry'. Typical Irish button-boxes seem to have a wetter tuning (more offset between the two sets of reeds). I agree wet tuning gives a warmer sound - but too much, and it gets very discordant especially for chords (too much harmonics and vibratos stepping on everything).

[Efenstor]

Yeah. Whelan is the one.

[WAINOA]

Wow Im impressed that man is his music, how lovely to see some one get so much pleasure from hs own music absolutly brilliant I do play myself though its hard cause I dont own one ut by gum if I owned one right now Id throw it away... How lovely...

[MrLospedros]

ok , nella vita ci vuole passione...quella che hai tu....!!!!!

[NewEnglandgardening]

I guess with accordians, size doesn't matter, its what you can do with it. Nice musical journey you take us on.

[bibliojim1]

Man, is he having fun! Great playing.

[TooL1993]

HEY. HEY, Listen. Thats one of the tunes that was in the Titanic. When rose is down in that party place with jack.

[MrIsaacGosse]

i want one of those small ones.

[GiovanniMariaTommaso]

John, it's great to see you having so much fun. Bravo!

[VikingLawyer]

john is a great musician and a grand person as well!!

[anniemcu]

Great fun!

[boxtubejohn]

Brilliant stuff johno. Somebody said he looks drunk, can't have been. I tried to play at a party recently when i was very drunk and i couldn't believe the mistakes i was making on tunes i knew like the back of my hand

[buaileamscith]

@boxtubejohn Those who play a lot when theyre drunk get good at it.

[buaileamscith]

@boxtubejohn Those who play a lot when theyre drunk get good at it. I dont think he gets drunk too much just drunk on the music.

[WobblingFiddle]

The face at 2:10 is priceless

[liamrdavidson]

who or more precisely what are these104 soulless mind dead zombies..Ah ! now i believe ..i truly believe in zombies

[bayo576]

disculpe amigo podria decirme en que tono esta afinada su acordeon??

gracias

[BellowsMan1987]

K- even for accordion players that guy is a total nerd, but holy shit can he play that thing.

[devilyo2]

eargasm... :O

[irishramblinghouse]

Just about as good as it gets Joe and Kay

[rbts001]

waar kan je zo'n ding kopen..?

[1osta]

Very nice!

Grüße aus Deutschland.

[paininthe10]

Loves it loves it ! Geese wouldn't I love to have you at a party and pay fer your drinks. Loves to see it when an entertainer enjoys his music as much as I do. Keep on rockin er.

[LastCommand]

He looks drunk as fuck.

[paininthe10]

@LastCommand And he's having a great time as well. Great musician.

[PatrickM1996]

he looks like he's enjoying himself lol

[PatrickM1996]

very lively player :)

[kingkong0100]

@UberDeathTurtle To be more precise he's from Luton, dunstable. I know this as i hold regular conversations with his dad Dennis :)

[rbts001]

love it!!

[dougslainte]

man that was flawless

[MrHathouse]

Nice to see someone smiling while on Comhaltas ;) Although, he's american, and from what I've seen of them Americans seem to smile at pretty much everything so that probably helps :P Brilliant playing anyway!

[UberDeathTurtle]

@MrHathouse Actually, John is from Dunstable, England. He then moved to the States in 1980. But it is good to see the players smile.

[rbts001]

@UberDeathTurtle , do you know aswell when this was recorded? I have seen an other clip on Youtube from him looking much older..?!

[UberDeathTurtle]

@rbts001 I am not sure of the year, but this was a whle ago. I am guessing over 10 years ago.

[bobman550]

this guy has my name! lol i love him

[tuty02]

parece musica celta =D

[krimskrams]

i have a hohner "erica" model button accordion. that pretty much looks the same as this from the ammount of buttons on both sides, so i wonder if this is in the same tuning? could someone tell me more?

[SurveyofFilmMusic]

nice earing?????????! ;-)

[ryuBones]

Such a jolly tune. :D

[Mrtalitakumi]

gringo ijueputa pa malo hombe O.O y asi es campeon de acordeon ? no jodas :/ que pases tan marikas

[korlochan]

la joie du mec et sa façon de transmettre ...un bonheur!

[daveycrockett]

great! bellisland, newfoundland viewers enjoy your work!

[usmcboi13]

this guy is great!!! i love to watch someone who feels the music and is happy! thats what irish trad is all about!

[SailingukNet]

That so MASSIVE COOL mate.......... Bravo Bravo. I take my hat off to you. Such cool skills mate. I wish you all the best as you have put a massive smile on my face. God bless ya Sir. BRAVO

[jomaugar]

¡Excelente!

[helgemarstein]

just made my day on an early Sunday morning after a late and" wet" gig on Sat night.. Thanks.

[patcloonan1931]

John Ta sa go hointach ar fat . Very nice playing . tog go bug e ---- sana ----pat

[Rhawneld57]

Nice performance.

Ron!

[GermanDulcimer]

This almost sounds like a concertina, yet it's very, very nice!

[robertpoisson]

Epoustouflant.....

[mike1409040]

How good are you on the accordion ???? - Probab;y negative as your personality!!

[phantastiko]

qué bueno!

[vicouspanda]

Im pretty sure that man just had an orgasm... while playing the accordion

[robertmessore]

You say that like it's a bad thing. ;)

[PatrickM1996]

@vicouspanda LOL

[oconnor848]

@vicouspanda you obviously have a one track mind.

[farnzyy]

@vicouspanda a really subtle prolonged one

[BlackitoOzora]

@vicouspanda Accorgasm?

[jmg4040]

And I guess Jimmydee that your gods gift to music and fashion too you fucking arse !!

[JimmyDee86]

That box sounds kak , and he looks like a bit of a smear.

[AngusDubhghall1]

and who have you played with boyo?  this guy's great!

[mike1409040]

WOW!!! ... another jealous dude!!

[weatnex]

klingt grausam!!!!

[Rhawneld57]

You really make this little Diatonic accordion talk.  Wow so impressed. Thanks for sharing.

Take care,

Ron from Canada!

[iamyinandyang]

this man could teach the irish fleadhs so much about smiling, good humour, friendliness, not to mention the great skill. He the man!

[whimsicalpeanuts]

amazing!

[salomoncanelo]

no se puede comparar acordeonistas de vallenato con el estilo irlandes puesto que la afinaciòn irlandesa es de dos lineas en dispociciòn cromàtica y el de el vallenato es de tres lineas con dispociciòn armònica, por favor pongan videos con acordeòn de una linea o dos, por que esos son los reglamentarios en los campeonatos de el IMC-UNESCO-CIA y otro tipo de acordeon se le considera solamente una derivaciòn por que si usamos un acordeòn de mas teclas pues mejor usamos uno cròmatico

[qnz09]

yo soy accordionista dominicano, y me facinas mucho la musica vallenata colombiana, pero yo tambien toco un accordeon de 2 lineas pero diatonico, si quieren ver un accordion de dos lineas que tambien estas muy bien tocado, miren los videos de "El Prodigio" que el toca muy bien, en especial, el tema "Recuerdo de Ada" o "El Sentenciado"

[salomoncanelo]

Tienes razon amigo dominicano ustedes si saben lo que es el verdadero arte del acordeon diatònico felicitaciones megustarìa aprender mas sobre la mùsica dominicana.

Saludos desde Mèxico

[qnz09]

gracias amigo lo agradesco mucho, si quieres oir los primeros raices de la musica tipica dominicana, busque la cancion "Adeyda" en you tube por "El Trio Reynoso' eso son los primeros merengues

[salomoncanelo]

La verdad es que ustedes son los fuertes del acordeón diatónico aquí en america yo aprenderé mas de la musica de ustedes y los estilos dominicanos para usarlos aquí en México en mi orquesta todos debemos aprender mucho de ustedes.

[qnz09]

gracias amigo igualmente

[Mrtalitakumi]

claro con mucho gusto mire buzque FESTIVAL VALLENATO y hay va a ver varios acordioneros colombianos o si prefiere aqui le dejo este link creo que este acordionero deja atras a john whelan sin embargo si no queda satisfecho buzque FESTIVAL VALLENATO 2008 JULIAN ROJAS PUYA y se dara cuenta la calidad saludos que este muy bien

[robertpoisson]

epoustouflant...bravo..chapeau bas...

[Mrtalitakumi]

que pena gringo pero le falta mucho para superar los acordioneros colombianos  le falta demasiado primero que todos aui somos felices y no parecemos robots como ustedes que solo se preocupan por trabajar por otras cosas y se les olvida vivir la vida :p lo siento pero lo imvito a colombia y aprenda a tocar acordion hasta un niño de siete años aca en colombia supera eso que esta tocando adios y siga practicando . buuuuu !!!!

[Chichirichi1]

Asi me gustaria muchissimo veer un colombiano que toca. Envia un link por favor.

Ciao

[afordjones]

What a disparaging comment! I don't doubt that the Colombian accordionists are awesome but to put down the likes of John Whelan that way is sadly arrogant and self satisfied. The "robotic" playing referred to is surely not his style, perhaps true of some other players but actually part of the traditional style, like Irish dancing, rather stiff. How about giving us the names of some Colombian accordionists so we can hear for ourselves.

[zurdo1432]

This is one happy-sounding accordion!...hahaha!!!

[clarebannerman]

Absolutely brilliant ! ♪♫ ♥ 5*****

[carriepearl]

I used to babysit his kids :) very cool guy.

[ConcertinaImpossivel]

/watch?v=WP0zA5d2tJU&feature=c­ hannel_page

[darklordaiden]

i would be too if i could play like that!

[thomasb90]

this guy looks WAY too happy...

[seamuslynn]

SUPERB!

[IRI5HJ4CK]

John really is fantastic, to accordion players and Button accordion players he really is an idol.

Hope to see more music from John in the Future!

[isapr5]

Just as much as his mesmerizing music, I love this man's facial expressions. He's smiling and grinning half the time!

[Ironheart15]

I know! You can tell he's enjoying every second of it! I love it when musicians truly love what they're doing

[iRiSHxRiDER]

Beannachtai na Feile Padraig, Mr. Whelan! From all of the McCabes :)

[coteya]

Happy St-Patty

[steveinnyc1]

wow that was great

[rsmexicoyaa]

lovely irish music good on u john u beaut!!!

[clarebannerman]

Not surprised that he has had almost 300,000 views. Absolutely brilliant ! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

[viscutto]

complimenti, veramente bravo

[gagiandjeo]

5 stars!

[qsdftfdsq]

suas leis a'ceol na hEarinn

[doogiesoprani]

brilliant playing as always one of the best box players ever in my book, dont know if thats an early cairdin or a briggs box , but he could belt it out just as good on a double ray, a living ledgend.

[malaguena312]

I've been a fan of his recordings for years, but this is the first time I've watched him play.

This is spectacular! Even above his technical virtuosity, his raw musicality is positively stunning. Whelan BECOMES the music, as cliche as that sounds.

[stergioskottas]

περφεψτ

[tadhgom]

well contained madness............

[mrtubbs1]

Lovely playin

[code879]

First of all John is an all Ireland Button Accordion Champion. He is playing at the correct speed both for sound and for the Dancers. Irish traditional Music is played at speeds from 120 - 126. There is another Accordion that is more difacult to play. It is the British Chromatic also called The Shand Morino. It has a three row diatonic Treble in the key of B / C and C# with a 120 Button Stradella Bass. Boxtubeman playes it on You Tube.

The Irish Box Player

[keepitkountry]

great musician,I play a litle but it sounds nothing like that,what key is your accordion.

[nkosb]

Brilliant Accordion, Brilliant Tunes and Super Brilliant Playing. ACE ++++++++++

[pianomanthree16]

I love it. He's so damn happy to be playing the instrument.

[hotsturdy]

P U R E G E N I U S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ElMcMeen1]

John,

Great stuff! You and I, among others, are on the CD called "Celtic Treasure", where you rock out on Carolan's Concerto!

El McMeen

[whiteandnerdy2727]

Awesome. I just learned to play keyboard accordion, and am fairly good. I love watching people play accordion!

[74lou]

I thank you YOU TUBE.Everyday I discover wonderful accordeonists.

AWESOME:**** AURORA

[aoiumi34]

Irish song is the best!!

I love it:D

[ubiho]

Really nice i like it

[tap1459]

john is one of the best performers i have ever seen. even after 40 years of playing and life-threatening illness he's still out there doing what he loves and making everyone who hears him love it too. <3

[boxmusic90]

I never heard he was ill what was the problem

[theboxmanPDX]

Just curious if anyone who thinks that these tunes are too fast ever play for dancers. This tempo is close to what I usually hear for sean-nos dancing, and even a tad slow for some ceilidgh and set-dances. And John is dead-on with his rhythm, I know these tunes and I don't hear any sacrificing of the melody.

[analihilator]

can't get enough of this video! awesome stuff.

those rhythms blow my mind

[Marcbest34]

TROP MAIS TROP PEDOPHILE

[principalbass]

Get bent.

[mcnamc1]

John is an All-Ireland champion player. He knows what he is doing with that box.

[consairtin]

i dont know what anyone is talking about. the speed is just fine, and the rhythm is impeccable. hup!

[LastCommand]

drunk?....

[vivaldizz]

If you want to hear the accordion treating Irish music with respect it deserves, look for Tony MacMahon on youtube.

[Zerobox5]

Sorry, can't get over that faggoty earing .. besides .. (oooh were that his friends in the backround encouraging ..) I can't find that passion ..Dante must, be a bollox

[julius70five]

Wow, this is the most virtuosic backward playing /taping I've ever seen.

[magg0tmacdonald]

Your goofy smile cracks me up, except of course at 1:10 - 1:15 where you look like your about to vomit all over yourself.

[christhedev]

Just amazing and so precise all the way through. Nonsense when people talk about 'too fast'. It's only ever too fast when you lose the tune as a result. Wish the 120 bass on my piano accordion was as easy to play though.

[irishdancinmusician]

Yay i play the accordion!! But not as good as that =[ someday....

[Yogart956]

Yes he is very talented you can tell , but I am of the oponion that some players play very fast to impress and actually lose some of the beauty of the song

[shankandbrisket]

Irish music is generally brisk and he was playing a typical tempo and did a good job.

[hotsturdy]

absolutely 199% beautiful well done JOHN WHELAN, YOU FUCKING BEAUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[harpman1896]

YES...you ARE the only one...

[elettrofisa]

Complimenti bel pezzo! bella esecuzione.

[stergioskottas]

bravo and opa !!

[cheerupbob]

HAHAHAHHAHA xD looks soo hilarious xD

notice the earring xD

hahahahaha

[dianapumpkinhead]

that instrument looks freaking hard to play! love IT!!!

[PatrickHReardon]

HAHAH YA JOHN GET IT!!!!

[Inachos]

The second tune is commonly referred to as "The Old High Reel" or "the Beehive" in contrast to the tune widely known as "The High Reel" which is also called "Duffy the Dancer"

[TheNewfieFella]

I hope someday I can reach his level.Good on ya john! great performance.

[josimarsiete]

jojo, bn

[fridaka]

GRANDEEEEEEEEE! :)

[Dar1212]

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!!!!!!

[johnnyshox73]

well done johny boy, great sound,great to see you having fun too.

[sojeft]

this is not an accordion, i dont know how it calls in english but i think something like "diatonic harmonica"...english is very difficult for me :) bye

[cafferkey156]

yes this is an accordion and its called a '' button accordion'' Jeez

[Stargreened]

This guy craics me up every time i watch him. He' soo enjoying playing that accordion. I wonder what box it is? It sounds dry tuned and i think on 3 voice. Nice anyway.

[kidswriter]

Wow!!! What a TALENT!

[clarebannerman]

This is one of the greatest box players of traditional music in the world and a man that clearly enjoys the music. Lovely clip. Good on you John-----f--- the begrudgers!

[OliverWhitecat]

I have a degree in music and I play professionally. This performance is the outstanding demonstration of great musicianship. What is deplorable is the vulgar ,offensive and juvenile comments from lessors who bizarrely expect people to go to their sites when they cannot appreciate in a civil manner an excellent performance. If you cannot speak well of this excellent performance your site and your music is not worth listening to.

[mexfromsotx]

this guy can even begin to compare to jaime de anda, or ramon ayala. not even in the same league.

[scorpioerrante1]

I love ramon ayala's music and Jaime de anda y los chamacos but I think we should really respect the two different generes and say that they are both really good in their styles; norteño tejano and this style too.

[joeboi85]

hahaha

he is GAY...

and i mean, my respects to these ppl for making

accordions happen...

but i mean an earring on the left side is gay, and IF U GUYS WANNA SEE SOME REALL ACCORDION COOL SHIT...

CHECK OUT MY LATEST VID...

NO BULL U GUYS WILL LOVE IT!!!!

[FordMustang1965]

wow. that was pretty awesome!

im not sure why he picked Accordian to be so good at, but to each his own i suppose.

[Marcbest34]

STI DE PEDOPHILE

[mathekiller]

tellement!

[mathekiller]

omfg le sourire qu'il fait en pensant aux enfants dans salle.

[LastCommand]

does anyone else think he looks trashed?

[upkilt]

He always looks like that.

[Stargreened]

ROFL at your comment. Yeah he does look trashed but give me some of what he's on if it makes you play like that.

[Hottie123754]

This guy was my music teacher

[RinceBox]

Still great! I remember him as a brilliant young whipper snapper from Luton!

[kuebert]

lol, he looks TOO happy, awesome job buddy

[Larry0705]

Good Job Mr. Whelan.

[colld86]

Look at him work that left hand. Great!

[FaceDown3000]

Nice :) Accordion's can't b tuned tho can they?

[boborko79]

yes they can.... just not by an amature...

[BoboBerlinsky]

John...great playing!...but...lose the fuckin' ear ring!

i've seen him play hundreds of times, if u haven't seen him play live then i suggest u do it