I have learned to play the Anglo concertina and single row box accordion or melodian. I am also seriously looking at the Roland FR-18 diatonic accordion that I can purchase at a much lower price than the FR-7x. I will eventually own a FR-7x some day - it is just a matter of time. Sincerely, David E. Morrison - Eureka, Nevada.
I am an older person with a determination to master the accordion before I die. I am gradually improving and hope to be able to play on a performance level by this time next year. Your video has been an encouragement to me. I am also saving my pennies to buy a Roland FR-7x.
I am 56 years old and I have had a 120 bass Coletta Soprani Ampliphonic accordion in my possession since I was 15 years old. Sadly, I never progressed past the 3rd level Palmer Hughes beginners book until about 3 years ago when I decided to take the accordion seriously. I am now playing at an early intermediate level and I practice for several hours nearly every day. I am self-taught on the accordion.
I notice you don't open the bellows very wide, is this because it is an electric accordion? Does opening the bellows on an electric accordion produce different sound? I'm just curious - i'm a new player. ;)
@piratebri You are correct in noticing that the bellows on an electronic Roland accordion are much more sensitive, requiring less movement. I can play longer phrases that require completion without changing bellows direction. The Roland's bellows feel very stiff. It's like playing an acoustic when no notes are pressed. It doesn't pass much air. Pulling hard produces louder sound, but the bellows do not move out quickly. Once you become used to it, it's wonderful.
hi there, I enjoyed your performance. i play piano and some guitar. i've always wanted to learn accordion but frankly after watching this I know why I've never attempted. that left side of the instrument with the little buttons looks terribly difficult to do! again, i really enjoyed your performance and musicianship. would like your take on if it is indeed harder than piano or guitar and thank you
@sengle1013 Thanks for your encouragement. I have played both guitar and piano. Except for initial coordination training, for me the accordion is easier. Yes, there's lots of left buttons. But their relationships are easy. In key of C, there is an easy to find reference button. Chords are only one button, not three notes (triad) like the piano. And here's the good part. The G and F chord buttons are adjacent the C. That's all you need to play accompaniment for hundreds of songs.
You were in Marieli's channel page and I decided to pop over to check on your channel. I didn't see this one come here to me however I am glad I found it. Leon this is played very very well I loved and enjoyed every second. I always watch to the end. I notice in my videos not all are watched to the end. LOL Oh well. Nice job here
I was also flummoxed at first when I encountered the "reverse" bass pattern. It happens all the time in polka music, usually on the V chord (the chord that's one row closer to your chin than the "home base" row for the song). I think the reason for it is that it keeps you from playing the same bass button twice in a row. I often screw up and play the basses "forward" sometimes, out of habit, but the good news is that it still sounds okay if you do. :-)
Thank you for your insight on reverse alternating basses. I was surprised when I first saw it. It was my friend Mike (Delmontedel) explained it to me, otherwise I would think it was editing errors in the music. Thanks for confirming its importance when playing polkas. Now I know that the effort to learn it was well spent.
Hello Leon, you are doing just fine with your new FR-7. I am testing an FR-2 this weekend, I have so much to learn to play it well, I don't know if I will make the moove. Like you said, "the important thing is to learn and have fun".
Hi. I wish you luck with the FR2. I love the FR7 so far. At first I found the bellows action a little weird compared to my Hohner, but I quickly got used to it. Recording is so much easier using electronic instruments. Yes, I'm having plenty of fun, and I wish you the same.
I'm happy to meet you. So far I love the Roland. But I must be honest. I'm not a very advanced accordionist. Also this channel's main purpose is to support other beginners by posting practice pieces from standard progressive courses like Palmer-Hughes and US School of Music. For that reason I will only be using the accordion sounds of the Roland, not the orchestral sounds. Still, this channel may be informative to you to see what a beginner can do with the instrument.
Those are the reasons I am enjoying your playing. I just started with the accordion in September myself. As for the other sounds on the FR7, while I'm sure they are nice I am more interested in the accordion side of it. And I am thinking about getting the Palmer-Hughes book, so far I have mainly been using a Church hymnal, but I feel a need to branch out. Anyway Thanks again
In the case of a MIDI accordion the cable came sometimes next to the last register button. This Roland has really realistic accordeon sound, if I do not watch the video, just listening to your record, I do not notice, that this is not an acustic instrument.
Thank you Istvan. I am so happy to hear your opinion that my Roland sounds like an acoustic accordion. It is my goal to use this instrument in that manner in this YouTube channel. Of course there are many other features and orchestral instruments on the Roland that I can enjoy. But my primary goal in this channel is to post educational practice pieces from standard courses, like Palmer-Hughes, to help others learn the accordion. For that goal I believe the acoustic sound is best.
I know that you are following some book teaching you to play accordion. I tried this Roland only once, for an hour. I would be corious to listen from you any other orchestral sounds from Roland, like trompet, clarinet, violine. They are also surprisingly realistic.
My compliments to your play and the Roland FR7- A queestion, why haven't you recorded this song with a direct cable audio connections -insted of a camcorder microphone, the sound would be more clear and louder. 5*****
I apologize if I gave you a misunderstanding about my audio recording. It was recorded by direct connection to PreSonus Firewire, not by microphone. The loudness was adjusted in software to be the maximum possible with no automatic leveling or compression. I feel it should not be any louder. Of course most people on YouTube do use compression (often their cameras do it and they do not know about it). So compared to others my audio is not as loud. But that is what I want.
No, I have no wireless connection. I am using the 19 pin cable that Roland provides to connect to a pedal unit that supplies power to the instrument, thus conserving the battery power. It's hard to see the cable because it is black. The pedal unit also supplies left and right audio channel connection to my recording device. I also have headphones (earplug style - you can hardly see them) plugged in because I made this recording while my wife was sleeping.
Nice to see and hear you back on the tube. I'm impressed Leon. I know you are aiming for the best possible sound quality and you succeeded. It sounds great! I watched you performing the reverse alternating bass patterns closely a few times. It seems hard indeed. Good job!
Pardon me, but I hit the 4* button before I knew it. It was ment to be a 5* (at least) :-)
Hi Leon. I'm happy to hear that you like the recording quality. With acoustic recordings of my Hohner my background noise was typically -55 dB, a result of traffic noise outside, fridge in the kitchen, fan on the computer, etc during the most quiet times of the day. Now the noise floor is not even visible in my recording software and I can record any time I want. I deserve the 4* because I did fumble in a few places. Thanks for your encouragement.
Bravo for this great medley! 5* Leon, you have such enthusiasm and perseverance with technical challenges. Thank you for sharing your process with all of us. Each of us has our own recording issues and your candid discussion helps!
Thank you Lorna for encouraging me forward. You are correct that we each have our own set of technical challenges depending on our own particular set of equipment and environment. But the important thing is to learn and have fun, and as you can see I am having plenty of that.
Hey Leon, I was thinking of how you might be getting on with your new family addition. Well this video demonstrates how advanced you have become and a medly often times is not easily done. Very well Played Very well matched and very nice sound all round. I would have to say 5/5 on every thing. Thanks for sharing your technique.
Thank you Ron for the positive assessment of my efforts as a beginning and slowly progressing accordionist. I appreciate it from a person of natural talent such as yourself.
Thank you for the encouragement. You are correct. I did not add any reverb. I'm using one of the Roland's generic accordion voices. To tell you the truth, I forgot all about reverb. I did considerable other work to my recording setup to reduce noise pickup and I guess I wasn't thinking about other aspects. I'll try to do something about that in the next one.
I know how hard you have practiced this and you should be very pleased. Your progress to this is excellent, and this piece called for so many different techniques - crossovers and reverse crossovers on the bass; harmonies in the right hand with 2 or 3 notes played together; glissandos!; forte and piano; crescendo, diminuendo and you also had excellent bellows control.
I have learned to play the Anglo concertina and single row box accordion or melodian. I am also seriously looking at the Roland FR-18 diatonic accordion that I can purchase at a much lower price than the FR-7x. I will eventually own a FR-7x some day - it is just a matter of time. Sincerely, David E. Morrison - Eureka, Nevada.
RevDavidEMorrison 1 month ago
I am an older person with a determination to master the accordion before I die. I am gradually improving and hope to be able to play on a performance level by this time next year. Your video has been an encouragement to me. I am also saving my pennies to buy a Roland FR-7x.
RevDavidEMorrison 1 month ago
I am 56 years old and I have had a 120 bass Coletta Soprani Ampliphonic accordion in my possession since I was 15 years old. Sadly, I never progressed past the 3rd level Palmer Hughes beginners book until about 3 years ago when I decided to take the accordion seriously. I am now playing at an early intermediate level and I practice for several hours nearly every day. I am self-taught on the accordion.
RevDavidEMorrison 1 month ago
Enjoyable performance
I like so much this tune played with sweetness and skill
Bravo Leon
5*****
Fabrizio
lichiarenz 1 year ago
@lichiarenz Thank you again Fabrizio for your ecnouragement of my accordion playing.
Leon
myaccordionhistory 1 year ago
I notice you don't open the bellows very wide, is this because it is an electric accordion? Does opening the bellows on an electric accordion produce different sound? I'm just curious - i'm a new player. ;)
piratebri 1 year ago
@piratebri You are correct in noticing that the bellows on an electronic Roland accordion are much more sensitive, requiring less movement. I can play longer phrases that require completion without changing bellows direction. The Roland's bellows feel very stiff. It's like playing an acoustic when no notes are pressed. It doesn't pass much air. Pulling hard produces louder sound, but the bellows do not move out quickly. Once you become used to it, it's wonderful.
myaccordionhistory 1 year ago
hi there, I enjoyed your performance. i play piano and some guitar. i've always wanted to learn accordion but frankly after watching this I know why I've never attempted. that left side of the instrument with the little buttons looks terribly difficult to do! again, i really enjoyed your performance and musicianship. would like your take on if it is indeed harder than piano or guitar and thank you
sengle1013 1 year ago
@sengle1013 Thanks for your encouragement. I have played both guitar and piano. Except for initial coordination training, for me the accordion is easier. Yes, there's lots of left buttons. But their relationships are easy. In key of C, there is an easy to find reference button. Chords are only one button, not three notes (triad) like the piano. And here's the good part. The G and F chord buttons are adjacent the C. That's all you need to play accompaniment for hundreds of songs.
myaccordionhistory 1 year ago
You were in Marieli's channel page and I decided to pop over to check on your channel. I didn't see this one come here to me however I am glad I found it. Leon this is played very very well I loved and enjoyed every second. I always watch to the end. I notice in my videos not all are watched to the end. LOL Oh well. Nice job here
Ron! I know all the songs.
Rhawneld57 2 years ago
Well, I'm happy to see that you're happy, with your new accordion.
Another great perfomance! =)
Never give up... =)
Best wishes...
Fábio
fabiopalma 2 years ago
Amazing melody excellently played
Very enjoyable melody
Bravissimo Leon
*****
Lillo
amarcordeon 2 years ago
@amarcordeon
Thank you Lillo for you kind comment.
Leon
myaccordionhistory 2 years ago
Another great job! Congrats!
I was also flummoxed at first when I encountered the "reverse" bass pattern. It happens all the time in polka music, usually on the V chord (the chord that's one row closer to your chin than the "home base" row for the song). I think the reason for it is that it keeps you from playing the same bass button twice in a row. I often screw up and play the basses "forward" sometimes, out of habit, but the good news is that it still sounds okay if you do. :-)
AccordionJJ 2 years ago
@AccordionJJ
Thank you for your insight on reverse alternating basses. I was surprised when I first saw it. It was my friend Mike (Delmontedel) explained it to me, otherwise I would think it was editing errors in the music. Thanks for confirming its importance when playing polkas. Now I know that the effort to learn it was well spent.
myaccordionhistory 2 years ago
Hello Leon, you are doing just fine with your new FR-7. I am testing an FR-2 this weekend, I have so much to learn to play it well, I don't know if I will make the moove. Like you said, "the important thing is to learn and have fun".
louisphilippegilles 2 years ago
@louisphilippegilles
Hi. I wish you luck with the FR2. I love the FR7 so far. At first I found the bellows action a little weird compared to my Hohner, but I quickly got used to it. Recording is so much easier using electronic instruments. Yes, I'm having plenty of fun, and I wish you the same.
myaccordionhistory 2 years ago
Hello Leon
Very nice playing. I have been looking at the Roland so I look forward to hearing more from you on it. Thanks for the music.
Arol
arolallen 2 years ago
@arolallen
I'm happy to meet you. So far I love the Roland. But I must be honest. I'm not a very advanced accordionist. Also this channel's main purpose is to support other beginners by posting practice pieces from standard progressive courses like Palmer-Hughes and US School of Music. For that reason I will only be using the accordion sounds of the Roland, not the orchestral sounds. Still, this channel may be informative to you to see what a beginner can do with the instrument.
myaccordionhistory 2 years ago
Those are the reasons I am enjoying your playing. I just started with the accordion in September myself. As for the other sounds on the FR7, while I'm sure they are nice I am more interested in the accordion side of it. And I am thinking about getting the Palmer-Hughes book, so far I have mainly been using a Church hymnal, but I feel a need to branch out. Anyway Thanks again
Arol
arolallen 2 years ago
Hi Leon,
In the case of a MIDI accordion the cable came sometimes next to the last register button. This Roland has really realistic accordeon sound, if I do not watch the video, just listening to your record, I do not notice, that this is not an acustic instrument.
Istvan
Accordioncrasy 2 years ago
Thank you Istvan. I am so happy to hear your opinion that my Roland sounds like an acoustic accordion. It is my goal to use this instrument in that manner in this YouTube channel. Of course there are many other features and orchestral instruments on the Roland that I can enjoy. But my primary goal in this channel is to post educational practice pieces from standard courses, like Palmer-Hughes, to help others learn the accordion. For that goal I believe the acoustic sound is best.
myaccordionhistory 2 years ago
Hi Leon,
I know that you are following some book teaching you to play accordion. I tried this Roland only once, for an hour. I would be corious to listen from you any other orchestral sounds from Roland, like trompet, clarinet, violine. They are also surprisingly realistic.
Istvan
Accordioncrasy 2 years ago
My compliments to your play and the Roland FR7- A queestion, why haven't you recorded this song with a direct cable audio connections -insted of a camcorder microphone, the sound would be more clear and louder. 5*****
Istvan
Accordioncrasy 2 years ago
I apologize if I gave you a misunderstanding about my audio recording. It was recorded by direct connection to PreSonus Firewire, not by microphone. The loudness was adjusted in software to be the maximum possible with no automatic leveling or compression. I feel it should not be any louder. Of course most people on YouTube do use compression (often their cameras do it and they do not know about it). So compared to others my audio is not as loud. But that is what I want.
myaccordionhistory 2 years ago
Sorry Leon!
I'c just missed the cable connection attached to the bottom of the treble side. Is this by wireless communication?
Istvan
Accordioncrasy 2 years ago
@Accordioncrasy
No, I have no wireless connection. I am using the 19 pin cable that Roland provides to connect to a pedal unit that supplies power to the instrument, thus conserving the battery power. It's hard to see the cable because it is black. The pedal unit also supplies left and right audio channel connection to my recording device. I also have headphones (earplug style - you can hardly see them) plugged in because I made this recording while my wife was sleeping.
myaccordionhistory 2 years ago
Nice to see and hear you back on the tube. I'm impressed Leon. I know you are aiming for the best possible sound quality and you succeeded. It sounds great! I watched you performing the reverse alternating bass patterns closely a few times. It seems hard indeed. Good job!
Pardon me, but I hit the 4* button before I knew it. It was ment to be a 5* (at least) :-)
Leon
leonvanbokhorst 2 years ago
@leonvanbokhorts
Hi Leon. I'm happy to hear that you like the recording quality. With acoustic recordings of my Hohner my background noise was typically -55 dB, a result of traffic noise outside, fridge in the kitchen, fan on the computer, etc during the most quiet times of the day. Now the noise floor is not even visible in my recording software and I can record any time I want. I deserve the 4* because I did fumble in a few places. Thanks for your encouragement.
myaccordionhistory 2 years ago
Que hermoso vals, León , ha realizado un gran trabajo, enhorabuena ******************
Un cordial saludo
Marieli
mlasagabaster 2 years ago
Marieli Gracias por tomarse el tiempo de su apretada agenda para escuchar y comentar sobre mi desempeño bastante simple. Yo admiro mucho su trabajo.
myaccordionhistory 2 years ago
Outstanding Leon, 5*****+ , I like the new back ground, and the new Roland Accordion looks good.......Bobby"D"
Bobby1961D 2 years ago
@Bobby1961D
Thank you Bobby for the encouragement.
myaccordionhistory 2 years ago
Bravo for this great medley! 5* Leon, you have such enthusiasm and perseverance with technical challenges. Thank you for sharing your process with all of us. Each of us has our own recording issues and your candid discussion helps!
Lorna
accordiona 2 years ago
@accordiona
Thank you Lorna for encouraging me forward. You are correct that we each have our own set of technical challenges depending on our own particular set of equipment and environment. But the important thing is to learn and have fun, and as you can see I am having plenty of that.
myaccordionhistory 2 years ago
Hey Leon, I was thinking of how you might be getting on with your new family addition. Well this video demonstrates how advanced you have become and a medly often times is not easily done. Very well Played Very well matched and very nice sound all round. I would have to say 5/5 on every thing. Thanks for sharing your technique.
Ron!
Rhawneld57 2 years ago
@Rhawneld57
Thank you Ron for the positive assessment of my efforts as a beginning and slowly progressing accordionist. I appreciate it from a person of natural talent such as yourself.
myaccordionhistory 2 years ago
Je suis admiratif ,Trés bien joué
5*****
André
guyotville06 2 years ago
Wonderful, Leon!
Technically and with heart...
Very surprising, this song is, too.
Yet the Roland sounds very dry here,
a little bit of reverb from wherever
would be welcome,
for my ears that is.
My compliments!
theo
NL
2eyesblue2 2 years ago
@2eyesblue2
Thank you for the encouragement. You are correct. I did not add any reverb. I'm using one of the Roland's generic accordion voices. To tell you the truth, I forgot all about reverb. I did considerable other work to my recording setup to reduce noise pickup and I guess I wasn't thinking about other aspects. I'll try to do something about that in the next one.
myaccordionhistory 2 years ago
Congratulations Leon!
I know how hard you have practiced this and you should be very pleased. Your progress to this is excellent, and this piece called for so many different techniques - crossovers and reverse crossovers on the bass; harmonies in the right hand with 2 or 3 notes played together; glissandos!; forte and piano; crescendo, diminuendo and you also had excellent bellows control.
5***** for each technique = around 50*****
Mike
Delmontedel 2 years ago
@Delmontedel
I'm so glad you liked it Mike. And thank you for pointing out all the challenges, thus justifying why it took me so long to post this piece.
myaccordionhistory 2 years ago