Tom Collins Teaches the Bellows Shake

Tom Collins, the world famous accordion teacher passed away more than a year ago. He left a legacy of kindness, enthusiasm and music.

Tom could have been a rich and famous performer. Instead, he preferred simply to teach others. We are far richer for that.

In this video, edited by Bonnie Trotter, you will see advanced thoughts on the bellows shake. He uses the song, "Glow Worm" to demonstrate.

Tom was said to be the world's foremost expert on the bellows shake.

The sound is not good and you have my apologies for that. Neither Bonnie nor I thought we were recording anything special. Hey! He was a world traveler. Certainly others had recorded him in high quality, right?

Well, it turns out that there are few to none other recordings of the fabled Tom Collins. In time I will mount everything I have of Tom here. We are fortunate to have saved even this much into the digital age.

Tom started the Tom Collins School of the Accordion on the 300 block of Brooks Street in Missoula, Montana. That was back around 1948. His friend, Lois Shipley took over the business (she and Jack Nichols were my accordion teachers) and Tom became a Montana State Legislator. He did a great job, too. His only interest in legislation was the fine points of government and he never aimed to disappoint anyone. He helped us all.

Tom Collins is gone. He will be forever with us.

Thanks, Tom, for all that you did.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• accordion
• bellows
• shake
• jazz
• old
• time
• Americana
• Glow
• Worm
• squeeze
• box
• folk
• ethnic
• heritage
• history

[DougOscarivich]

I started taking lessons from Tom back in the early 50s. At that time his studio was located on Spruce St., as I recall. Tom was as friendly a person as I ever met and for years he would greet me with a sparkling eyes and a warm smile. Wonderful guy and a great accordionist.

[deaforganist001]

@DougOscarivich , Thanks for your note. I did not meet Tom until I was in my60s. It was Lois Shipley and Jack Nichols that I knew.

If you are in Missoula, come to the manor and play for us, please.

[pavanpianist]

My Salutes to Great Legend ............ What a plying and teaching with so simplicity!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DJShadowAndTheKnife]

now THATS a bellows shake!

[456er123]

amazing!

[SansaAsylum]

What an incredibly sweet guy!

[mdcorreia]

Thank you for the video! Really very instructive regarding different applicationsI I noticed that the bass comes in on PULLING OUT? or may be I missed something. (a little too fast to notice)

Would that be the rule for the START of the bellow shaking?

Cheers; fr Manuel - away up North - Winnipeg, canada

[olavodias]

Fantastic... there are no other words to define this video.

[pushycomepully]

I've been playing the accordion since 1941, & at 77 my "Billy Be Damned" bellow shake is just called I'll BE Damned. My shake is gone, and my "Billy is now my Belly. Oh what a great teacher

[TheRemigijus]

No words!!!