jonny (good kind)22h ago

So since I got my finger blowed up, I can't really play piano, and I have been taking on psychic damage ever since.

However it seems like I might be able to play an accordion, since my blowed up finger is on my left hand and accordion seems like it has much less "ballistic" hits to the finger.

But I can't make heads or tails about what in the fuck kind of accordion to try: I play mostly moody emo Chopin sadgirl tunes, and I love piazzola, so I was reading about bandoneons, but it turns out that you can't actually get one (like literally it seems like they were only mass manufactured pre WWII and now only for like $10k custom made) and the key layout means you can like only play tango on them. And then since its a folk instrument there are like one million other kinds of accordion and I can't tell how much each is specialized for a specific kind of music.

Is there anyone on here I reach who plays #accordion and can help me out knowing what kinda button bag to play? I would be a beginner accordionist but I have been playing piano my whole life and am looking for a long term romance I mean replacement, so I don't need the like "there are 5 notes on this one and you can't go wrong" kind. I would love to be able to play sea shanties and folk punk tunes, but if its also possible to play some Chopin or Debussy arrangements on the thing that would be extremely emotionally valuable to me.

Show thread●
@jonny Maybe @AccordionBruce can shed some light on accordion options for you post-injury. 🪗 Good luck, the sea shanties, folk punk, and classical arrangements await your return to music, whether it's via accordion or something else.
Mar 29 at 1:02amWeb
Show threadAccordionBruce15h ago

@fembot @jonny @meganL
I do think if you have piano skills probably starting on piano 🪗 is an easy plan

George Bachich’s little book is a good starter for first time #accordion buyers and problems to look out for buying used

PIANO ACCORDION OWNER’S MANUAL AND BUYER’S GUIDE https://accordionrevival.com

Show threadAccordionBruce15h ago

@fembot @jonny @meganL
Size?
If you want to play classical-ish maybe just go for 120 bass. Probably easiest to find, more options

Counterintuitively might be cheaper than some smaller instruments that are in demand for portability

If you want smaller than 120 bass that will narrow your options so make choosing easier

Don’t get fewer than 48 bass. 72 or 78 might be better for your style, but do not fear the big 120 unless it’s too heavy

Most only play a few buttons at a time usually

Show threadAccordionBruce15h ago

@fembot @jonny @meganL
Maybe try to find a local player to help find a good instrument

It can be hard to know the quality of one without inspecting the reeds inside

But basically play every note going in and out, and if they’re in tune, that’s a good bet

Do this with every register switch, which I’m sure it could be really annoying and take a minute for a big accordion, but it sounds all the reeds

If any of them are not in tune, probably don’t buy it because they are very expensive to fix

Show threadAccordionBruce15h ago

@fembot @jonny @meganL
If you don’t mind my asking, where are you located?

Occasionally there’s someone we could recommend that you contact, though there aren’t many shops left

We do have a lot of friends we might be able to connect you with I suppose

Show thread●4h ago
@AccordionBruce @jonny @meganL
Thanks so much for the info on accordions+, Bruce. A lot to consider and some places to start. I hope it helps in your quest, Jonny.