2009-12-23 Ashokan Farewell, Roland FR7

Ashokan Farewell for Accordion Accordéon Acordeón Akkordeon Akordeon Harmonika Fisarmonica Acordeão Акордеон Аккордеон Accordian

I am posting this piece for a second time for the purpose of comparing my new accordion, a Roland FR-7 to my previous Hohner Amica III 120. Sure the Roland has a lot of fancy features, like orchestra voices, that a conventional acoustic accordion does not have. But making a comparison using such features is like comparing apples to oranges. To me a more important question is how well does the Roland simulate an acoustic accordion. Indeed, that is the question that I have heard people ask most of the time, especially people who feel that acoustic accordions are inherently better because they contain real reeds, which the Roland does not. For this video I chose "Set Number 6" on the Roland, which is called "French Folk", because I think that particular selection sounds most like my Hohner, which is wet tuned for musette.

To help make the comparison, I play the piece as closely as possible to the way I played it on my Hohner in the video that I posted September 9, 2009.

My own assessment is that the Roland is a very accurate reproduction of an acoustic accordion. Yes, I know the tonal quality of my two instruments, the Hohner and the "Roland Set Number 6", are not exactly the same. They are, after all, different instruments. But to my ears the Roland comes out as indistinguishable from an acoustic accordion.

If I look a bit tired in the video it's because since I received this new accordion I have had very little sleep (I know, I'm very immature). I am excited about the Roland, particularly because of the studio quality recording that is possible by using a direct connection between the instrument and my recording device, which is a PreSonus FireBox external audio interface unit. No microphones are involved, thus completely eliminating background noise as well as improving frequency response. Although I was using "condenser" type microphones to record my Hohner, graduating to a direct connection is a quantum leap forward in quality. No microphone is as good as a direct connection. Finally, the recording is in full stereo. Unless you have misconnected your speakers, you should hear the treble coming predominantly but not completely from the left, and the bass coming predominantly but not completely from the right, just as your ears would hear the instrument if you were standing right in front of me.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• ACCORDION
• ACCORDÉON
• ACORDEÓN
• AKKORDEON
• AKORDEON
• HARMONIKA
• FISARMONICA
• ACORDEÃO
• АКОРДЕОН
• АККОРДЕОН
• ACCORDIAN

[oceandreama]

'Hi this is excellently played, I was wondering if you could send me the music

?

[myaccordionhistory]

@oceandreama - Send me an email address and I'll be happy to send it to you. Thanks for your support of my channel.

Leon

[jonesthephones]

Nice playing, but you really shouldn't look so miserable when you're clearly having a good time...!

[myaccordionhistory]

@jonesthephones Like all accordionists of limited talent, smiling remains one of my biggest challenges. It's difficult when the brain is overwhelmed just playing the music. Still, it's supposed to be a sad piece, isn't it?

Leon

[JeNnY323232]

That's koo I play the accordion to and I will post some of me plzwatch and commet

[myaccordionhistory]

@JeNnY323232 - Thank you for the encouragement and I look forward to seeing your accordion videos.

Leon

[myaccordionhistory]

@Rhawneld57 - Thank you Ron for your encouragement. Yes, this is certainly a very nice piece. Perhaps I'll do it again soon using orchestral sounds.

Leon

[Rhawneld57]

Still one of my favorites by you Leon.  It is so nice to hear this tune played by you. congratulations.......

Ron!

[Rhawneld57]

Hi Leon This was my favorite song. I am glad to hear it once again only this time on your new Red Rose Accordion.

Fabulous going there.

Ron!

[myaccordionhistory]

@sabaline

Thank you. That long arpeggio was indeed the biggest challenge in this piece. I'm glad it looked smooth to you.