I’m an accordion player. As a matter of fact I’ve been playing for more than 50 years – a truly significant time-frame. My mom was a normal Italian mother, my dad was Slovenian; and I was the main conceived male in our family, hence when I was extremely youthful it was declared that I figure out how to play the accordion; thus I was made to take illustrations. Being a functioning 8 year old who was needed to get familiar with an instrument that I truly didn’t wish to play caused a lot of pressure and dismay; yet I kept it together and for a very long time I went to those despised illustrations, taken in my hypothesis and partook in melodic celebrations.
It was the point at which I quit taking examples that I truly started to partake in the instrument; and during that time alongside the mastery and expertise I was procuring, I fostered a genuine enthusiasm for the instrument, the music which it produces and the delight that it brings to its audience members. These days all through the cold weather months I can be found in Florida, engaging and partaking in practices at different manufactured home parks. In late spring months I am more than content to play on my back deck on Manitoulin Island in Northern Ontario and to play an intermittent gig with neighborhood performers.
The practices that I go to in Florida as a rule include somewhere in the range of 8 to 20 performers, playing different instruments, situated in a semi circle. It’s fascinating to take note of that occasionally up to 300 individuals will come just to watch and be engaged.
Every artist will take a turn playing the lead. He reports what melody he might want to play and in what key he will play. Every other person will play back up to his lead. Given this kind of situation it is significant for us accordionists to comprehend harmony development, harmony movement and timing.
Generally there is a lot of customary down home music alongside some gospel and a sprinkling of oldies type rock n roll being played. Generally this kind of music can be played utilizing only 3 or 4 harmonies consequently assuming you need to successfully participate in this sort of jam realize what harmonies are utilized in what keys and how to develop and play these harmonies utilizing your right hand. Work on playing harmonies with your right hand.
Assuming another player is playing the lead, it’s a given that our job is to play reinforcement. While the accordion is normally a lead instrument there is an extraordinary enticement is to play the lead alongside the individual who’s turn it is. Try not to DO THAT. It can cause disdain. You may not play the melody the same way and it is HIS move. It is significant that we remember this
So play back up and fill in. As you play the harmony with your left hand feel free to play that equivalent harmony with your right hand too. (This is the reason figure out how to play harmonies utilizing your right hand). In the event that you do this you will have numerous alternatives concerning playing a mood kind of accordion. On the off chance that the tune is in 4/4 time,you can hold the harmony with your right hand for 4 full beats. This particularly functions admirably for slow songs. Or on the other hand you can come in on the second and fourth beats if the melody is somewhat more up beat. This functions admirably for polkas. You can even play arpeggios utilizing the notes in the harmony which you are playing and as you acquire experience you will learn various licks and runs which will serve to fit in pleasantly.
On the off chance that you end up being backing up a three step dance in ¾ time similar standards apply. You can either hold the harmony for 3 beats or come in at various spans on any of the beats. Indeed arpeggios fit in pleasantly here.
Figure out how to play Latin rhythms too. Unquestionably somebody will need to play La Paloma or Spanish eyes and in the event that you can play some cadence accordion utilizing the right harmonies it will be extraordinarily refreshing
Every so often when you are chording, for some assortment consider playing single notes of the harmony you are utilizing or just 2 notes in the harmony; this will fill in as right around a counter song and ordinarily can be exceptionally satisfying to the ear.
At long last don’t generally utilize your lord register. Examination with every one of your changes to figure out what works best in what conditions and further don’t stop for a second to change registers mid tune.
So put on some music or discover some individual jammers and work on playing back up.
Here are some do’s and don’ts which will make for a superior practice.
We as a whole have personalities. Abandon them
The practice ought to be tied in with having some good times and regarding our kindred artists. In the event that we as a whole made plans to make the other player look as great as possible make him look it would make for a superior meeting
Try not to play over the lead. Regardless of whether the lead player is battling with timing and so forth, oppose the compulsion to play over him
Never appear an individual performer it’s rarely valued and places us in a helpless light
Assuming you don’t have a clue about the melody that is being played, everything thing you can manage is to pass on it. You are not helping anybody by adding more mud to the mud puddle
Avoid turning up your amp or playing too noisily, Oftentimes toning it down would be best
Playing reinforcement fill ins – Do all that you can to make the lead performer look great
When playing the lead pick tunes that fit your specific practice. It does nothing but bad to play something that others can’t follow (This returns to point #1 with regards to inner selves)
The best commendation is the point at which an individual artist says to you that he truly appreciates playing with you since you make him a superior artist.
More than anything Have fun and partake in the practice. At the point when it’s presently not any pleasant then its chance to return home and watch the grass develop.
