Playing Accordion: some tips for left arm / Bellows

a youTube community member asked me about some left-hand related things; I figured it's easiest to do a 'show & tell'.

Forgot to say, in the vid:
* when I first took up the accordion my left arm would tire very quickly, which surprised me, as I hadn't experienced such problems as a pianist. In hindsight, I think the muscles are used in a very different manner for each instrument; it's a matter of finding the most efficient method...this vid shows you what I've discovered.
also...
* it's good to do some exercises for your upper body: shoulders and arms. I did some daily exercises lifting and stretching my arms whilst holding small weights [actually hand-sized rocks...not very heavy, but enough to exercise the muscles without stressing them and damaging them].
*perhaps some other players can offer tips and suggestions too!!

* THE GLOVE....I probably should have talked about that in a bit of detail! oops

find a glove that is a comfortable fit - not tight

thin fabric rather than thick knitted winter woolen glove

best is something made for 'evening wear' as it'll be a fabric which will maintain its shape - rather than a cotton/t-shirt fabric which will stretch out-of-shape

cut the fingers out yourself

look for strong stitching so that when you cut the fingers it doesn't completely disintegrate

Category:

Music

Tags:

• accordion
• lesson
• bellows

[jaygriz]

Thanks for making this video. It is very revealing. As someone else pointed out, the motion of the left arm isn't covered in method books. Thus this vid really "hits the spot" with some pertinent insights on the challenges of the LH. Bravo! Thank You!

[AccordionJo]

@jaygriz Yeah that's true - method books are pretty limited and stuff like this you can only get from a good teacher. The guy I studied with had absolutely phenomenal bellows control. Glad you found the video useful

CT

[allieplaysmusic]

Cathy,

I am a pianist but have recently been self-teaching myself accordion for about five months. After playing for at least a half hour's worth, the bottom/inside of my left forearm aches so badly. I just finished practicing five minutes, ago, and I did a google search for "arm pain playing accordion" and came across your video. I haven't been keeping my elbow tucked in and will definitely try it tomorrow, but I was wondering if you had any comments or any other suggestions for me?

[AccordionJo]

@allieplaysmusic aching muscles are caused by lots of things. As with good piano playing - you don't want any more tension in muscles than is necessary. The use of the arm/shoulder/hand and the musculature system is totally different for piano playing and accordion playing. It'll take you awhile to figure exactly what those differences are and be in control rather than fighting with the instrument.

[ragerpez]

thanks, I play accordion in a cider driven rock/country cover band and i recent fractured the top of my shoulder (overdid it at a practise and cycled home :P) and this is some invaluable advise, many thanks!!

[AccordionJo]

@ragerpez hope your shoulder's feeling better now!

[iapa22]

Great lesson! :)

[honkytomk]

stupendous teaching! thank you! not bad for an aussie (says the kiwi)!

[lugarshz]

@allieplaysmusic Make sure you are pushing with the outside part of your hand (the part closest to your small 'pinky' finger) instead of the part near your thumb. Otherwise you'll hurt yourself...

[ragerpez]

@AccordionJo haha thanks, its permenantly damaged though :( i can still bellow luckily if i keep my elbows in