Practice #1

First proper accordion practice with my new French button box. I am largely a beginner at this, not being at all familiar with the button right side layout instead of a piano keyboard. But I’ve some great teaching books to help, and am going to work at it really hard. Good first go, playing basic tunes with C, D, E, F and G. I am going to be practising these early chapters of book 1 a lot! At least the left hand chord side is easy for me. And I can read sheet music. Encouraged anyway. And already I can’t stop myself from improvising right hand extra harmonies as I play.

Tuning

One more accordion comment for the day, but I'm really relieved I went for the Swing tuning on my new box, not the Musette which was calling to me. Musette is that rather extreme sound found in some especially French accordions, and also appreciated by many traditional accordion lovers in Scotland! I really like it. But it can stretch your ears, and it would not be a good choice for someone learning to play a totally new system, and playing lots of duff notes. The Swing tuning I decided on instead - after much pondering - is warm and mellow, but still has a nice tone. And is much more forgiving re duff notes! In the not too far off future I will upload an audio of me playing the new box. But want to get a bit more essential practice in first.