Melodeon.net Forums
Discussions => Teaching and Learning => Topic started by: Andrei on December 17, 2014, 08:29:30 PM
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Hello everyone! I've been listening to many melodeon tunes on the Internet for a while now and I've decided that I want to purchase such and instrument and learn how to play it.
I like cheerful tunes and the sound of D/G melodeons such as the ones in the following YouTube clips:
Tim Edey plays the D/G Sandpiper (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFL8o5MxHmc)
Galopede - played on Hohner Pressed Wood D/G Melodeon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BApWBfIM8uY)
Wraggle Taggle Gypsies (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzQLLMS3Lj0)
Pigeon on the Gate, Maggie's Pancakes, melodeon / button accordion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blSRjpRuMYw)
May Reel Set - Dr Faustus tune on D/G Melodeon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdzl73snAtM)
Mostly English Reels (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nYYDt1ZMUU)
From what I've read in the Voices and Tunings article, I think that I want a dry tuned melodeon, with one or two voices, that has a pure and punchy sort of sound. I don't like the sound of the Hohner Erica in the following clip, for example:
The Melodeon - A Beginner's Guide Part 3 - What Melodeon To Buy | Wet'n'Dry |Stops (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27hKHPSXAKU)
So that's the type of melodeon I want. Now unfortunately, I have a bit of a problem: I live in Romania, in Eastern Europe, a country where musicians aren't interested in diatonic accordions. I've scoured the web in search of Romanian players and enthusiasts, teachers, online communities, or any tidbit of info on melodeons, and I couldn't find much info. The majority of Romanian accordion players use the piano type, and a few of them play the chromatic button type; I've seen such accordions and I'm not interested in playing those beasts (I also don't like the music style played on accordions over here, called 'lautareasca').
Having said all that, I will now bombard you with questions.
Will I be able to purchase a melodeon online? Are there people or shops which will be willing to ship me a melodeon? Will the instrument arrive safely, without getting damaged in transit, if it's properly packadged?
Do you think that it's a bad idea to purchase a melodeon online? I don't have the option of visiting a shop or a local player that has such instruments (there is one shop that advertises Weltmeister diatonic accordions, but they don't actually have any in stock).
If/when the melodeon goes out of tune or needs some sort of repair done, will someone that services piano and chromatic accordions be able to work on my instrument?
I also won't be able to pay a local teacher for lessons. Will I be able to learn how to play the melodeon by following books or DVDs? Are there melodeon teachers willing to give lessons over the web?
I'm looking to spend around 1000 euros on a melodeon, new or used; will that budget allow me to buy a good instrument, that I'll be able to play well for a couple of years? From the research I've done, I could go for a D/G Sandpiper or a Hohner Morgane, but I'm much more interested in your suggestions.
Well, that's about it for now. I hope I haven't typed a large and intimidating wall of text. I look forward to reading your replies, cheers!
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Germany's biggest music retailer sells a Weltmeister 2 row:
http://www.thomann.de/ro/weltmeister_monika.htm (http://www.thomann.de/ro/weltmeister_monika.htm)
EDIT: read your posting again. This melodeon would not be dry tuned.
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May I say that i am very flattered that one of the recordings that you picked out as liking is one of mine. Thank you very much. I will leave others to answer your question though.
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I am not recommending these boxes at all, because your choice is a very personal one, at the end of the day. But I think you would find it interesting to look at Marc Serefini's site, where he is offering a Hohner Pokerwork for 650 euros. He has improved the boxes with a better than factory fitted bass strap, shoulder straps, a case and a choice of sounds, that is: Musette (quite a wet sound), Swing and Sec (a dry sound). He demonstrates all three here: http://www.mondiato.com/D2915%20video.htm
He also stocks many other more expensive models and he is a very well respected man, so I would have no worries about dealing with him.
Good luck in your search. I am sure many others here will be able to help you more than I can.
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Are there melodeon teachers willing to give lessons over the web?
Yep, Mel does Skype lessons and I can recommend her highly.
clicky click below for details...
http://www.melodemon.co.uk/ (http://www.melodemon.co.uk/)
Simon
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Q: If/when the melodeon goes out of tune or needs some sort of repair done, will someone that services piano and chromatic accordions be able to work on my instrument?
A: Theoretically, they should have no difficulty. I know a mainly-piano-accordion tuner who tunes diatonics very well, and a mainly diatonic-box repairer and tuner who also does piano accordions, harmoniums, concertinas...
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You can definitely learn without a teacher; I've been doing this since I started and it hasn't proved too troublesome, as there are so many videos and lots of useful information online (:)
As far as buying a box, you might be able to get them slightly cheaper by shopping around for second-hand boxes in France/Germany/Italy, though D/G boxes aren't as common there as they are here. You'll get slightly more for your money second-hand, but it's probably worth buying via a dealer/repairer/shop, who are more likely to have shipped boxes long distances before. I bought my first instrument over email/phone without seeing it, and that turned out fine.
As for new instruments: The Sandpiper instruments are nice, I've played on a few recently and they were pleasant to play. Slightly more expensive but also a possibility would be something from Bernard Loffet (Le Petit model perhaps: http://diato.org/tarif_accordeons.htm). If you go for a one-voice box you might be able to find a second-hand Castagnari Lilly within your budget if you hunt around, though the sound (and size) isn't for everyone (although I quite like it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnjaUjbQoxo, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4qaCghXnDw).
Unless someone has altered it (like Marc Serafini) then most Hohner (and Weltmeister) models in D/G will not be dry tuned. However if you're buying from a dealer they can often retune it to your specification.
Good luck! (:)
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I'm also very flattered to have one of my videos on your 'like' list - thank you! I should point out that my Hohner Pressed Wood can't be described as 'dry' even if it has a bit less 'swing' than a traditional Hohner pokerwork. Mike Rowbotham restored it for me and tuned it to my taste. I love it! Mike and Theo (and others whose details you can find on this site) can often provide beautifully restored Hohners tuned to taste. Whether they can ship to Romania is a question you'd have to ask them (might be a good idea to do this by PM). There's been a lot of discussion about tutors recently so you should be able to find answers there but I'd point out that there are lots of us D/G melodeon players who are completely self taught as the instrument is very easy to get tunes out of right from the outset. Also, there are free tutorials on the web including Daddy Long Les' excellent videos. Good luck and welcome to Melnet.
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You can definitely learn without a teacher; I've been doing this since I started
So have I, in the sense that I have never had a formal (or even informal) lesson from anyone, but in fairness I'd have to add that I've learned a huge amount from watching and listening to other players.
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Germany's biggest music retailer sells a Weltmeister 2 row:
http://www.thomann.de/ro/weltmeister_monika.htm (http://www.thomann.de/ro/weltmeister_monika.htm)
EDIT: read your posting again. This melodeon would not be dry tuned.
Getting a Weltmeister would be easy, since there is a shop in my country that imports their melodeons (they also do repairs, so they might also be able to re-tune it). I have found some posts on here saying that they make good instruments, but I can't find that many recordings of them.
I am not recommending these boxes at all, because your choice is a very personal one, at the end of the day. But I think you would find it interesting to look at Marc Serefini's site, where he is offering a Hohner Pokerwork for 650 euros. He has improved the boxes with a better than factory fitted bass strap, shoulder straps, a case and a choice of sounds, that is: Musette (quite a wet sound), Swing and Sec (a dry sound). He demonstrates all three here: http://www.mondiato.com/D2915%20video.htm
He also stocks many other more expensive models and he is a very well respected man, so I would have no worries about dealing with him.
Good luck in your search. I am sure many others here will be able to help you more than I can.
I see his name mentioned in the Makers list on this website. Buying from such a knowledgeable person sounds like a great idea and I like the sound of the sec tuned 2915 (Pokerwork). I see that he also has the Morgane for sale.
Speaking of improved Hohner's, Bernard Loffet has a similar offer here: Accordéon diatonique Hohner 2915 (http://www.diato.fr/hohner.htm).
You can definitely learn without a teacher; I've been doing this since I started and it hasn't proved too troublesome, as there are so many videos and lots of useful information online (:)
As far as buying a box, you might be able to get them slightly cheaper by shopping around for second-hand boxes in France/Germany/Italy, though D/G boxes aren't as common there as they are here. You'll get slightly more for your money second-hand, but it's probably worth buying via a dealer/repairer/shop, who are more likely to have shipped boxes long distances before. I bought my first instrument over email/phone without seeing it, and that turned out fine.
As for new instruments: The Sandpiper instruments are nice, I've played on a few recently and they were pleasant to play. Slightly more expensive but also a possibility would be something from Bernard Loffet (Le Petit model perhaps: http://diato.org/tarif_accordeons.htm). If you go for a one-voice box you might be able to find a second-hand Castagnari Lilly within your budget if you hunt around, though the sound (and size) isn't for everyone (although I quite like it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnjaUjbQoxo, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4qaCghXnDw).
Unless someone has altered it (like Marc Serafini) then most Hohner (and Weltmeister) models in D/G will not be dry tuned. However if you're buying from a dealer they can often retune it to your specification.
Good luck! (:)
I found Sandpiper melodeons on The Musicroom, a shop which I've read good things about. They have models with 23 keys which are slightly more expensive, are they worth the difference?
They also sell the pricier Saltarelle Le Bouebe melodeon, would that be better than the cheaper Hohners and Sandpipers?
I'm also very flattered to have one of my videos on your 'like' list - thank you! I should point out that my Hohner Pressed Wood can't be described as 'dry' even if it has a bit less 'swing' than a traditional Hohner pokerwork. Mike Rowbotham restored it for me and tuned it to my taste. I love it! Mike and Theo (and others whose details you can find on this site) can often provide beautifully restored Hohners tuned to taste. Whether they can ship to Romania is a question you'd have to ask them (might be a good idea to do this by PM). There's been a lot of discussion about tutors recently so you should be able to find answers there but I'd point out that there are lots of us D/G melodeon players who are completely self taught as the instrument is very easy to get tunes out of right from the outset. Also, there are free tutorials on the web including Daddy Long Les' excellent videos. Good luck and welcome to Melnet.
You also recommend buying a melodeon from someone that deals in restoring these instruments.
Would you say that I'd be better off with a cheaper Hohner that's been restored/improved by a specialist, rather than a slightly more expensive Hohner, Sandpiper, or Saltarelle?
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I found Sandpiper melodeons on The Musicroom, a shop which I've read good things about. They have models with 23 keys which are slightly more expensive, are they worth the difference?
They also sell the pricier Saltarelle Le Bouebe melodeon, would that be better than the cheaper Hohners and Sandpipers?
23 buttons is nice in that you can then have a 4th button start box (so you get a low C/B/G, which are handy) without losing the two highest buttons, though they're often so squeaky on a D/G box that it's not a problem. I'm not sure if I've played the 23 button Sandpiper models (maybe someone else on here can offer an opinion) but losing the two highest buttons on a 2 voice box for some useful lower ones on a D/G box won't cause you any trouble. I've played a few different 'Snipe' boxes and they were pleasant; good value for money for a new box. I've not played a Bouebe, but I'm certain a few other people on here have owned those so hopefully someone will be along with an opinion.
A lot of people like cheap, well-fettled Hohners. There's something satisfying about belting out a tune on one even if you usually play far more expensive Italian boxes. If you could get one tuned to your specification then that would be a solid first instrument, especially if you're mainly interested in English music. Plus their relatively affordable cost means you can get boxes in different keys in future without too much money saving.
Unfortunately, buying your first instrument is really difficult! You've obviously been reading up a lot on it and that's going to help. Even if you can get to somewhere to try them out, unless you already play the instrument then it's really hard to know what they actually play or sound like!
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I bought my first box in the 1970's when it was an easy choice - pretty much everyone I knew had a Hohner Pokerwork. I do think there's a lot to be said for not paying too much for your first box. I have a Saltarelle Pastourelle III and a L'Elfique but these days I nearly always pick up one of my restored Hohners unless I need the low register in the right hand, extra accidentals or 12 bass buttons which doesn't tend to be too often. Good luck with your purchase whatever you plump for.
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23 buttons is nice in that you can then have a 4th button start box .....
I've have a Dino Baffetti with 19 buttons and 4th button start, and, having started on Hohners with 3rd button start, it did concern me that I might be losing some notes. However I've never once fallen off the top end or found myself missing a high note. The highest tune I play on my G/C is still there on the Baffetti (i.e. same fingering not notes).
So, for me anyway, 23 buttons sounds like a waste of money and there must surely be some extra weight to pump? Does it make more sense on a semi-tone box?
I started, nearly 3 years ago now, on a renovated , fettled and tuned Hohner Erica from Theo, and, knowing what I do now, would do the exact same thing again. If the OP is looking for a dry box, the deal from Marc Serafini sounds really very good; it sounds as if he restricts the buttons as well as tuning them.
Steve
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Thanks for all the replies, everyone!
There are so many possible choices, but I'm in no hurry, so I want to gather as much info as possible.
Here is another question: how much can a melodeon be tuned? For example, let's say I would increase my budget and go for a Dino Baffetti Carnival or Black Pearl from The Musicroom (or other, more expensive melodeons) - could I tell them, 'I want you to give it a dry tuning so it sounds similar to the one in the following recording'? In other words, would it be possible to have a Dino Baffetti tuned to sound more like the Sandpiper or the sec Hohner 2915/Pokerwork from Marc?
I bought my first box in the 1970's when it was an easy choice - pretty much everyone I knew had a Hohner Pokerwork. I do think there's a lot to be said for not paying too much for your first box. I have a Saltarelle Pastourelle III and a L'Elfique but these days I nearly always pick up one of my restored Hohners unless I need the low register in the right hand, extra accidentals or 12 bass buttons which doesn't tend to be too often. Good luck with your purchase whatever you plump for.
I always end up paying a lot more than I initially planned for all the stuff that I buy. When I bought my first flat panel TV my thought process was like: 'OK, this TV is good, but if I spend 200$ more I could get one with better viewing angles! If I spend 400$ more, I could get one with a built-in recording feature!', and so on.
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Andrei,
do you already play another instrument? What is your musical background?
I play a Weltmeister (not a Monika, but a 86w, in C/F) which is my preferred instrument. I don't know why. It just feels 'right'. I have some other boxes, some of them superior to the very basic 86w (and tenfold the price), but none I like quite like this trustworthy work horse. Over the years, my 86w even convinced me to preferre its blunt tremolo sound over the more aristocratic dry sound of those lifestyle-boxes with the posh italian names on it. ;)
The video examples you like show well played tunes from some very good players. Some of the boxes are wet tuned, some of them are dry tuned. I am quite certain, that the Hohner Erica, shown in the video example you don't like, would sound just as good as the other boxes, if it would be played equally well in a tune (and not to demonstrate just the basic function of a melodeon).
And I don't think you should spent too much money on your first box, because you can't know, what you want, before you have played for some months. (:)
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Here is another question: how much can a melodeon be tuned? For example, let's say I would increase my budget and go for a Dino Baffetti Carnival or Black Pearl from The Musicroom (or other, more expensive melodeons) - could I tell them, 'I want you to give it a dry tuning so it sounds similar to the one in the following recording'? In other words, would it be possible to have a Dino Baffetti tuned to sound more like the Sandpiper or the sec Hohner 2915/Pokerwork from Marc?
Simple answer - yes.
Any box can be tuned from dry to wet or wet to dry.
Whether that will make a Dino Baffetti sound like a Sandpiper is a different question, and also leads on to other aspects of the playing quality of various instruments particularly responsiveness and dynamic range. These are things that can only be partly conveyed in words, and can only really be understood by playing various instruments.
And I don't think you should spent too much money on your first box, because you can't know, what you want, before you have played for some months. (:)
This is very very very good advice.
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Andrei, I've been mulling over your questions and comments as I walked our collie dog today. If I was buying my first melodeon but knowing what I know now, I'd look out for a recently restored Hohner - Pokerwork, Pressed Wood, Erica or whatever. I wouldn't be too fussy about the amount of tremelo although I'd probably go for slightly drier than a traditional pokerwork. The advice about not really knowing what you want or need before you start playing is spot on. If you enjoy it, as I suspect you will, you'll have years of playing ahead to acquire more or different boxes and, if you're unlucky, a mild or severe case of M.A.D.
BTW - how come your English is so immaculate?
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Andrei,
BTW - how come your English is so immaculate?
Cannot have been very long in this country ;)
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Andrei,
BTW - how come your English is so immaculate?
Cannot have been very long in this country ;)
Ouch! >:( :'(
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Andrei,
BTW - how come your English is so immaculate?
Cannot have been very long in this country ;)
Ouch! >:( :'(
Well, we do get a bit blase using our own language, with local dialects creeping in.
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Andrei,
do you already play another instrument? What is your musical background?
I play a Weltmeister (not a Monika, but a 86w, in C/F) which is my preferred instrument. I don't know why. It just feels 'right'. I have some other boxes, some of them superior to the very basic 86w (and tenfold the price), but none I like quite like this trustworthy work horse. Over the years, my 86w even convinced me to preferre its blunt tremolo sound over the more aristocratic dry sound of those lifestyle-boxes with the posh italian names on it. ;)
The video examples you like show well played tunes from some very good players. Some of the boxes are wet tuned, some of them are dry tuned. I am quite certain, that the Hohner Erica, shown in the video example you don't like, would sound just as good as the other boxes, if it would be played equally well in a tune (and not to demonstrate just the basic function of a melodeon).
And I don't think you should spent too much money on your first box, because you can't know, what you want, before you have played for some months. (:)
My musical background is nonexistent and I don't play any instruments.
I'm sure you're right about those players, they're experienced and could make any accordion sound good.
Andrei, I've been mulling over your questions and comments as I walked our collie dog today. If I was buying my first melodeon but knowing what I know now, I'd look out for a recently restored Hohner - Pokerwork, Pressed Wood, Erica or whatever. I wouldn't be too fussy about the amount of tremelo although I'd probably go for slightly drier than a traditional pokerwork. The advice about not really knowing what you want or need before you start playing is spot on. If you enjoy it, as I suspect you will, you'll have years of playing ahead to acquire more or different boxes and, if you're unlucky, a mild or severe case of M.A.D.
BTW - how come your English is so immaculate?
I work in the customer service department of an IT company which has a lot of foreign clients. I have to communicate with them in English on a daily basis, so I get a lot of practice. Still, I think 'immaculate' is stretching it a bit.
I've compiled a list of melodeons that have been mentioned in this topic and in other discussions on the forum and sorted them by price in 3 categories according to my budget.
1) Bargain: Hohner 2915/Pokerwork, Hohner Erica, Weltmeister 86W (are the Weltmeisters really made in Germany?)
2) Affordable: Hohner Morgane, Sandpiper Snipe, Weltmeister 516
3) Wooo!: Saltarelle Bouebe, Dino Baffetti Black Pearl/Carnival (these differ only in colour, right?), Mengascini D212, Bernard Loffet Petit, Castagnari Studio
I've read good things about all of them and listened to recordings which all sound good. Lots of options - I have to do more research. I also stumbled upon some G. Verde instruments.
It seems that the consensus is to buy a melodeon that doesn't cost too much, but I'm still on the fence about going for the cheapest option. Wouldn't an entry-level Italian, French or German instrument be significantly better than one from China?
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I've compiled a list of melodeons that have been mentioned in this topic and in other discussions on the forum and sorted them by price in 3 categories according to my budget.
1) Bargain: Hohner 2915/Pokerwork, Hohner Erica, Weltmeister 86W (are they actually made in Germany?)
2) Affordable: Hohner Morgane, Sandpiper Snipe, Weltmeister 516
3) Wooo!: Saltarelle Bouebe, Dino Baffetti Black Pearl/Carnival (these differ only in colour, right?), Mengascini D212, Bernard Loffet Petit, Castagnari Studio
I've read good things about all of them and listened to recordings which all sound good. Lots of options - I have to do more research. I also stumbled upon some G. Verde instruments.
It seems that the consensus is to buy a melodeon that doesn't cost too much, but I'm still on the fence about going for the cheapest option. Wouldn't an entry-level Italian, French or German instrument be significantly better than one from China?
Andrei,
I have a Hohner Pokerwork for sale in D/G. See here:
http://forum.melodeon.net/index.php/topic,15862.msg196824
It is a modern Chinese-made instrument, but don't be put off by that - it is well made with excellent quality components and it plays beautifully. These days, the Chinese-made Hohners are very good indeed. It is a great instrument for a beginner and it will take you a long way down the melodeon-playing route.
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My musical background is nonexistent and I don't play any instruments.
Interesting. How did you become interested in melodeons than? (:)
Hohner 2915/Pokerwork, Hohner Erica, Weltmeister 86W (are they actually made in Germany?)
The Hohner diatonic accordeons are made in China (someone will correct me, if I am wrong!) except the Corona II Classic.
All Weltmeisters are made in Saxony with the exception of the reeds (imported from Checoslovakia [well either Checia or Slovakia, but I can't remember from which of the two]) and some small parts.
It seems that the consensus is to buy a melodeon that doesn't cost too much, but I'm still on the fence about going for the cheapest option. Wouldn't an entry-level Italian, French or German instrument be significantly better than one from China?
It is normally assumed, that the build quality from european producers is more consistent, but I am not a neutral observer. ;)
Of course, I don't know your exact ideas and to select an instrument is something personal, but if I might suggest something, I'd think, it would not be a bad idea to get in touch with someone like, for example, Theo (http://www.theboxplace.co.uk/purchase/) or Mr. Sommer (http://fraton-accordions.com/EN/second-hand/) or another trustworthy and experienced accordion 'fettler' to buy an overhauled second hand box. (Minor adjustments can than be executed by any local accordion repair shop.)
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All Weltmeisters are made in Saxony with the exception of the reeds (imported from Checoslovakia [well either Checia or Slovakia, but I can't remember from which of the two]) and some small parts.
I suppose the reeds are either from Delicia or Titlbach, both the firms are in the Czech Republic. I never heard about Slovak accordions, Slovakia has long been an agrarian country with little industry, if there existed accordion factories there they had to go bankrupt in the 1990s.
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Andrei,
I have a Hohner Pokerwork for sale in D/G. See here:
http://forum.melodeon.net/index.php/topic,15862.msg196824
It is a modern Chinese-made instrument, but don't be put off by that - it is well made with excellent quality components and it plays beautifully. These days, the Chinese-made Hohners are very good indeed. It is a great instrument for a beginner and it will take you a long way down the melodeon-playing route.
Thanks for the offer, Steve, I'll take it into consideration.
Interesting. How did you become interested in melodeons than? (:)
I somehow stumbled upon a couple of recordings on YouTube and immediately liked their sound.
Some more questions:
1) Exactly how loud are these instruments? I live in an apartment block and I don't want to disturb my neighbours that much.
2) I see that there are several keyboard layouts available. Is there a standard one I should look for? If I buy a DVD with lessons or pay a tutor, what's the keyboard layout they'll expect me to have? How will I be affected if my melodeon doesn't have the same layout as theirs?
3) I've found good reviews for the following learning materials:
- The D/G Melodeon: Absolute Beginners, by Dave Mallinson (book & CD)
- The Melodeon Tutor, by Ed Rennie (book & DVD)
- How to Play the English Melodeon, by John Kirkpatrick (DVD)
- Maggie's Melodeon and More Maggie's Melodeon by Maggie Moore & Stan Bloor (books & CDs)
- the Diatonic accordion method volumes by Stéphane Milleret & Norbert Pignol (books & CDs)
- L'Organetto Diatonico by Roberto Tombesi and Riccardo Tesi (book & CD)
- DG Melodeon, A crash Course for Beginners, by George Garside (book)
- Handbook for Melodeon, by Roger Watson
Which of these would be best for a complete beginner? I also welcome other recommendations.
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3) I've found good reviews for the following learning materials:
...
Which of these would be best for a complete beginner? I also welcome other recommendations.
I am still a learner myself. However I have been playing musical instruments for some 30 years.
I bought three of the tutor books you mentioned. They all use standard music notation added with numbers so you know which button to press and pull/push the bellows.
Roger Watson: Handbook for Melodeon
I consider this the least useful. Just tunes ...
Dave Mallinson: The D/G Melodeon (book + CD)
There is a lot of information in it: tunes and instructional text, e.g. the four possibilities for position changes of the right hand. The accompanying CD is quite useful.
George Garside: D/G Melodeon. A crash course for Beginners
This is divided in 10 lessons (George calls them workshops), suitable for a total beginner. IMO very well thought out, concentrating on basic aspects, which is a good idea for beginners.
Considerung you are new to playing an instrument I would start with George Garside's tutorial. It is not too comprehensive, there is a focus on basic learning. Mallinson's book would be too much for me. I see no chance to complete this book in under two years.
Thomas
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Though, to be fair, Mally suggests that 5 years would be doing well for absolute beginners. I have used this, along with George's book, topped up with "More Maggies Melodeon" for the slightly less common improver's stuff. I play a Sandpiper D/g and, at the moment, find this my perfect box. ;D :||:
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Pardon me for jumping in; where you're starting from sounds a lot like where I started...
The first box I bought was a Chinese mass produced melodeon - there was nothing wrong with it per se - however I felt it had distinct limitations. After advice from Mel I was thankfully able to exchange it for a Sandpiper (making up the difference in cost). The difference is night and day - the Sandpiper is a delight (:)
What I would add is to recommend asking Mel to give you some tuition - she really is that good! She has been very patient and understanding with me and my unfortunate procrastination habit. Anything you learn from the books will be re-enforced by tuition.
Good luck!