How does one learn to play the accordion?

 

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The old saying about "he who represents himself in court has a fool for a lawyer" undoubtedly applies when it comes to musical instruction. Unless one is already a skilled keyboard player, learning to play the accordion alone is a formidable task. So what does one do? FIND a teacher! How? Here are some suggestions:

 

  1. Check the local music stores to see if they have a resident accordion teacher or if they know of one in the area.
  2. Check the Yellow Pages to see if accordion teachers are listed.
  3. Check the Internet for accordion teachers.
  4. Check the Internet for accordion clubs which might have accordion teachers or know of one.
  5. Check with every accordionist you meet.
  6.  

A good instructor will help you master instrument technique, which requires many degrees of coordination, as well as the rhythmic flow of the music and pitch/harmony accuracy. Most people who teach themselves sound like they taught themselves. They pause, they correct mistakes as the go along, thus stopping the musical flow and they develop jerky technique. They also do not pay attention to the sensitive aspects of music, such as phrasing, articulation and dynamics. The bad habits they form because no one is there to coach and correct them really stifle any advanced study. Another old adage, "Practice makes perfect", is not true at all. If you practice mistakes, you'll play with mistakes, which is never the purpose of music making, whether you're playing for others or only yourself.

 

If this does not prove fruitful, there are self-instruction books available. But these should only be used to fill a gap until a teacher can be found. Be certain these books have an attached CD, DVD or video so you can listen to the exercises and songs you want to master as well as see the technique.

Here are a few self-instruction leads, which are best used as supplement to working with an accordion teacher.

 

 

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