Would The Real Geek Please Stand Up

[MitfordRI]

This won't amuse anyone but me. But there is no one outside of this forum to whom I can tell this tale. Besides, who doesn't love a good flame war.

 

Recently, I organized a local alumni association for a bunch of MBA's. (Stay with me, it gets better.) It was all very nice and I swopped a lot of cards with loads of people. Very nice people. But, umm, very business-like, not my usual crowd.

 

As it turns out, one couple live in the same town as I do. After several email exchanges, we decided to get together for dinner. I was prepared for a pleasant, if dry evening discussing the Wall St. Journal, the future fate of the neo-cons (is crucifixion too much to hope for?) and, if things got crazy, local taxes.

 

The couple hadn't arrived but five minutes when M. spotted my concertina box. He picked it up. Almost reverently. He said, "I need you to open this. I need to know what's in it."

 

Okay ....

 

"It's just a concertina ..."

 

"I PLAY THE ACCORDION!!!!!"

 

Like he had been waiting his whole life to tell someone. Turns out that Mr. MBA doesn't just play the accordion ... he plays the PIANO ACCORDION. Hard core. Has been studying for six years. Picked it up in his 40s.

 

Four hours later his wife and my husband were wondering why they had bothered to come to dinner.

 

You just never know when or where you will meet a fellow squeeze box enthusiast.

 

 

Lucy

(Feel free to flame away -- but I still maintain that a piano accordion is way way WAAAAAY geekier than a concertina, which is practically rock star cool by comparison.)

[m3838]

My first Piano Accordion teacher was Police Officer, Lawer, Inventor, Contractor. By fixing up and re-selling Contractor's Specials he became wealthy.

Another dude, Ralf Stricker, made his fortune by playing Black Jack. To the point, that he is known throughout the US and Europe's casinos, and they take measures agains him. In spare time he spent the money by maintaining accordion school (That's PA)

I found that PA is proper established instrument for over the hill MBAs. They have formal studies and play Jazz on them. Since Jazz school in the US is on very high level, I wouldn't call PA a geeky instrument. Basic harmony knowledge needed is so extencive, playing PA well is very cool indeed.

If you want the upbeat, cool dudes with tatoos, who blame Bush for monkey's red butt, it's the Diatonic Button Box crowd. Rarely you'll find someone, who actually knows how to play. But the crowd is colorful and loose, with many variations and styles of music. And generally 30 years younger. But when they start playing, the almigty Geek Gene rises like a cloud.

If to judge by the wall of sound, slender concertina, wile not geeky, is certainly dorky.

Those 87.69% of music, squeaked out of them, is nothing but pity: single melody lines, attempts to throw in triplets, no rhythm, no feel. Just nasal doodling, repeating simple lines 10 times with no change. And the Anglo is worse, it adds squaking.

100% of concertinas, even the loudest, can't deliver the roar of accordion, and few can manage without accompaniment.

However, when not played, AC looks mighty cool.

But jokes aside, PA is the instrument of choice for Zideco, and the mastery and vigor they demonstrate is beyond belief.

If to compare standards of Concertina and PA playing, it's like comparing Ballet and ... Morris. Of course, Talent is separate issue.

On average, Concertina is percieved as "Cute", and Accordion as "Cool" by the young crowds.

[MitfordRI]

I found that PA is proper established instrument for over the hill MBAs. They have formal studies and play Jazz on them. Since Jazz school in the US is on very high level, I wouldn't call PA a geeky instrument. Basic harmony knowledge needed is so extencive, playing PA well is very cool indeed.

If you want the upbeat, cool dudes with tatoos, who blame Bush for monkey's red butt, it's the Diatonic Button Box crowd. Rarely you'll find someone, who actually knows how to play.

But jokes aside, PA is the instrument of choice for Zideco, and the mastery and vigor they demonstrate is beyond belief.

If to compare standards of Concertina and PA playing, it's like comparing Ballet and ... Morris.

On average, Concertina is percieved as "Cute", and Accordion as "Cool" by the young crowds.

 

LOL!!

 

Well, if PAs are the established instrument for MBAs, it's a well kept secret. (Says the geek with the 'tina.) And basic harmony IS required is anglo playing! At least for song accompaniment it is. (I'm not saying I do it well, but years of piano instruction have turned out to be useful for something. Like torturing the PA crowd.)

 

re: geeky instruments/hobbies in general ... I'm married to a large-format photographer. LF cameras have bellows (so it was a match made in heaven). And there are few things in the world more geeky than a LF photographer, I mean camera.

 

BUT even compared with a LF camera or an anglo concertina, I still maintain that Piano Accordions are RIGHT UP THERE in geekdom.

 

That said ... and here is my sad little confession ... I would LOVE to play klezmer music. But short chicks just can't wear PAs. They make us (me) look fat.

 

So now I need a Bb concertina

 

 

Lucy

Irish born and bred, Shiksa by marriage, Klezmer-wannabe

[Dan Worrall]

I used to know an accordion player, back in my single days. She was a bit geeky, too....

 

 

(just kidding; this is actress TIna Fey of Saturday Night Live fame....)

Edited August 24, 2007 by Dan Worrall

[JimLucas]

"PIANO Accordions"

And just when was the last time you heard someone play the accordion

PIANO

?

That said ... and here is my sad little confession ... I would LOVE to play klezmer music.

Have I got a tune for you!

 

Irish born and bred, Shiksa by marriage, Klezmer-wannabe

But short chicks just can't wear PAs. They make us (me) look fat.

Let's hope so.

Otherwise your mother-in-law will complain that you're not eating enough.

[m3838]

That said ... and here is my sad little confession ... I would LOVE to play klezmer music. But short chicks just can't wear PAs. They make us (me) look fat.

So now I need a Bb concertina

Lucy

Irish born and bred, Shiksa by marriage, Klezmer-wannabe

 

Hm.

I find concertina sounds better for Klezmer, more doleful.

So instead of Proper Instrument, which you (after years of Piano instruction) can play almost instantly, I'll recommend English Concertina. So not only you can be on your own and struggle for years to come, you can also earn scorn from Klezmer Bands.

[spindizzy]

Irish born and bred, Shiksa by marriage, Klezmer-wannabe

 

Here's a tune for an irish klezmer player The Klezmer Reel ... An EC player at our local session always plays this (and currently plays it solo, but I'm starting to pick it up now (ps I think there's a gsharp missing in the notation here, just sharpen all the low gs and none of the high ones! ))

Edited August 24, 2007 by spindizzy

[Mark Evans]

Ah, this tread could bring our long silent Helen out of hiding if it goes long enough...I would like that.

 

Check out the band Le Bon Vent. They are out of Vermont and have one of my all time favorite fiddlers Ruthie Dornfeld....and for me the most fantastic PA wizzard I have ever heard...Jeremiah Mclian. Hope this link works to CD BABY for their new CD is drop dead fantastic.

 

http://cdbaby.com/cd/lebonvent

 

That's the whole group, but if you want to challenge preconceptions about the PA check out a few cuts off

Ruthie and Jeremiah's duo CD Hummingbird....H -O-T!

 

http://cdbaby.com/cd/jeremiah

Edited August 24, 2007 by Mark Evans

[seanc]

If you are interested in Piano accordions. Luca Music on Miserable Spring Ave in Nprov is going out of business. The owner, John was a PA type.

They used to have tons of them in stock. I used to work there and that section was like the embarrassing relative at Thanksgiving, you just hoped no customers would see them or the grandfather clocks..

 

but as they are closing shop, they may have some blowouts..

 

So, if you are looking to take the plung into the evil abyss of the piano accordion, this might be a thought for you..

[MitfordRI]

If you are interested in Piano accordions. Luca Music on Miserable Spring Ave in Nprov is going out of business. The owner, John was a PA type.

They used to have tons of them in stock. I used to work there and that section was like the embarrassing relative at Thanksgiving, you just hoped no customers would see them or the grandfather clocks..

 

but as they are closing shop, they may have some blowouts..

 

So, if you are looking to take the plung into the evil abyss of the piano accordion, this might be a thought for you..

 

1) I'm sorry they're going out of business. That's sad.

 

2) re: "the embarrassing relative at Thanksgiving ..." MY POINT EXACTLY!!! But I'm wondering if he has any respectable Irish accordions ... Hmh.

 

 

Lucy

[MitfordRI]

Have I got a tune for you!

 

Tease! Where is it??

 

Irish born and bred, Shiksa by marriage, Klezmer-wannabe

But short chicks just can't wear PAs. They make us (me) look fat.

Let's hope so.

Otherwise your mother-in-law will complain that you're not eating enough.

 

 

Not a freaking chance. She has been a size 2 all her life. Recently ballooned to a size 4 in her 70s. The baggage.

 

 

Lucy

[MitfordRI]

Irish born and bred, Shiksa by marriage, Klezmer-wannabe

 

Here's a tune fro an irish klezmer player The Klezmer Reel ... An EC player at our local session always plays this (and currently plays it solo, but I'm starting to pick it up now (ps I think there's a gsharp missing in the notation here, just sharpen all the low gs and none of the high ones! ))

 

Many thanks! Will have to try when I get home from my day job.

 

 

Lucy

[Rhomylly]

I'm not Helen (alas), but I haven't been posting much lately either...

 

I too have been considering (seriously considering) adding a piano accordion and/or a button accordion to my instrument shelf.

 

I am now going to go check and see if I can find Luca Music online.

[m3838]

2) re: "the embarrassing relative at Thanksgiving ..." MY POINT EXACTLY!!! But I'm wondering if he has any respectable Irish accordions ... Hmh.

Lucy

 

A PA came to the US in 1911 and picked up by jazz piano players.

Since then it covered music from A to Z. They also come in all sizes and shapes.

The only problem with PA may be that it's keyboard is less compact compared to Button Accordion and covers smaller range. So if you are into Rachmaninov or Schnidtke, you'll need 5 octave Bayan with free bass. But PAs are easier to play, and Stradella is ingenious system. The sounds of PAs vary greatly too.

So what IS your point exactly?

[ragtimer]

That said ... and here is my sad little confession ... I would LOVE to play klezmer music. But short chicks just can't wear PAs. They make us (me) look fat.

So now I need a Bb concertina

Lucy

Irish born and bred, Shiksa by marriage, Klezmer-wannabe

 

Hm.

I find concertina sounds better for Klezmer, more doleful.

So instead of Proper Instrument, which you (after years of Piano instruction) can play almost instantly, I'll recommend English Concertina. So not only you can be on your own and struggle for years to come, you can also earn scorn from Klezmer Bands.

Rachel Hall is a math profressor who has been playing great EC for years, and does quite a bit of klezmer. ISTR her group is named Simple Gifts. I have their latest CD, which includes a couple Klezmer tunes.

 

I bought a book of Giora Feidman (clarinetist) Klezmer sheet music and have been playing a few numbers on my Hayden Duet tina. Gives the pinky a workout fingering those G# notes.

 

A Klezmer piece in key of E has an effective key signature of just one sharp, G#. Everythign else in the melody and accompaniment is natural. "Phrygian Mode" is closest to the klezmer scale.

 

I'd say EC and Duets are the easiest tinas to play klezmer on, but surely some Anglo palyers with 30 or more buttons can hack it.

 

Anyway, play music you like on the instrument you like. --Mike K.

Edited August 24, 2007 by ragtimer

[seanc]

I guess you would just have to have Ro-Dielun experience here..

 

as I do beleive the the PA by it's nature lends itself to many styles. Let's just say that there was not a lot of Charlie Parker or Brubeck eminating from the accordion section.

 

When there was an accordion strapped on to somebody at Luca, chances were 50/50 you would hear either The Tarantella or Finniculi/ finnicula.. Once a guy tried to play a polka, but he was quickly escorted from the property..

 

But seriously, I am sad to see Luca closing. They were a family run business and nice people. I am happy they are retiring and hopefully, enjoy the fruits of a lot of hard work for a long time.

[seanc]

I doubt they have a web site. This is/was a small family run business and never cutting edge high tech.

 

they are on Mineral Spring ave in North Providence, ri. (area code 401)

 

I would say to give them a call if you wanted to persue it.

[ceemonster]

free-reed instrument taste and chops do not distribute to any stereotypic demographic. well, except one: geek. but free-reed geeks who can actually play their instruments fall on all points of the political spectrum, and they come in all fashion permutations, thank god---tattoos, vintage clothes, sequined jumpsuits (dick contino lives!), "old salt sailor" drag for the sea chantey crowd, not to mention beehive hairdos and polyester suits worn without irony. medical schools, law schools, and business schools, count in each class a number of virtuoso-level musicians, and accordion is gonna be represented here and there. in my own city, i personally have made the acquaintance of a professional PA klezmer virtuoso whose schedule is packed with festivals, weddings, bar mitzvahs and other gigs.....that is, when he isn't busy with his day job as a constitutional-law attorney who gets flown around the world to new democracies to help draft their constitutions. i'm not kidding.

 

i don't know why, but europe does not seem to share the bafflement and even anger many americans seem to experience when confronted with successful multi-facetedness. in ireland, many of the better-known itm musicians double as scientists, doctors, professors, engineers, etc., and this has become rampant among the younger set. many americans, perhaps because they have stifled their own creative sides to, er, "succeed," often seem petulant when confronted with people who do both. they react almost like someone who can be both a good artist and a "professional" type is cheating or something.