Melodeon.net Forums
Discussions => Teaching and Learning => Topic started by: Daddy Long Les on May 09, 2012, 04:45:25 PM
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Over 180 melodeon video lessons with sheet music now available on my website www.daddylongles.com
Press the "Go Down" button to go to Blog 67 onwards!
Introduction Video
http://youtu.be/Mnr1gXJJaHo
In this video I talk about why I do these videos and tell you a little bit about myself.
These video blogs are here for you to dip into or watch in chronological order if you want. If you go to my You Tube Channel (Daddy Long Les) and check out my playlists you will find the one for these blogs. All my blogs will play sequentially from this playlist.
They show the learning experience of melodeon.net member Daddy Long Les from his first week onwards.
These are not meant to be melodeon lessons but may be of interest to you if you are starting out or if you are a teacher and want to see the common pitfalls of the beginner.
If you want to comment on any of these videos may I suggest that you create a new post as this area is locked.
I have to thank several people for their help and advice - Lester Bailey, Martyn White, George Garside, Mcgrooger (Steve) and Theo Gibb the administrator of this site for allowing me to do this.
Here are the links to the videos with a brief description of what they contain – all tunes are in bold type:-
Blog 1 – May 31st 2011
http://youtu.be/P5L3fBXGL48
One week
I’m learning on a Hohner Erica DG melodeon – teaching myself armed with George Garside’s DG melodeon book (available from George via eBay).
In this video – some simple tunes : Oh Dear What Can The Matter Be? | Blaydon Races | The Keel Row | The Black Velvet Band | Winster Gallop.
Apologies for the poor lighting in this video!
Blog 2 – June 1st 2011
http://youtu.be/uELpADFkCKg
One week and one day!
I talk about straps (1 or 2). Other types of melodeons. Wet and dry tuning. Melodeon versus Piano accordion. The names of the notes that the buttons produce and their relationship to one another. Some right-hand chords. The accidental buttons explained. The notes and the chords that the left-hand buttons produce.
Blog 3 – June 5th 2011
http://youtu.be/rDlpUZK3n0U
Two weeks.
Winster Gallop with left-hand – a different arrangement with some row-crossing. Mental approach. Muscle memory. Bellow flapping problem. Major scale formula/played up two octaves on both rows. Good fingering. Tones and semi-tones explained. More right-hand chords. The terms major and minor explained. Inversions explained.
The Waters Of Tyne – right-hand only waltz.
Blog 4 – June 7th 2011
http://youtu.be/fj9d-hhOvW0
Two weeks and a bit!
When A Knight Won His Spurs – first tune I’ve figured out for myself – right-hand only with some twiddles (mordents?) in the key of D. Advice about figuring out bass at the same time as the treble.
Blog 5 – June 12th 2011
http://youtu.be/TXTHkI4MSdM
Three weeks.
When A Knight Won His Spurs – with left-hand added (bass notes and bass chords played together). Tasteful left-hand chord – Em with an A bass. Balance of right and left hands discussed. Leaving holes in the bass. Treble and bass sides give you a kind of “stereo” effect. Different positions – sitting, standing, adjusting straps, getting comfortable.
Blog 6 – June 13th 2011
Three weeks and a bit!
http://youtu.be/MSJNaRCxOrU
More on the names of the notes on the push and the pull. The range of the melodeon - three octaves on a standard DG. The degrees of the major scale. Acronyms to help you learn the names of the notes that the right-hand buttons produce.
Blog 7 – June 21st 2011
Four weeks
http://youtu.be/VcqhQFGkBRs
Bobby Shafto in G with twiddles. Right-hand harmonies from two buttons played at the same time.
Blog 8 – July 22nd 2011
Two months
http://youtu.be/TcXCFK6PlRw
Used GC Hohner Erica Melodeon purchased. Better straps on both boxes. When A Knight Won His Spurs – now in G on GC box. Updated Bobby Shafto.
The Bluebell Polka – a tune in 3 keys – G,D and C
DG Erica has had accidentals re-tuned to facilitate this tune. The very unusual use of the right-hand thumb.
Blog 9 – August 5th 2011
Two and a half months
http://youtu.be/L90BULAh4aU
Better use of the air button.
Bobby Shafto – revisited.
Davy Nick Nack – choice of D chords and bass notes.
Harvest Home – right-hand only in D.
The Bluebell Polka - complete.
Blog 10 – August 30th 2011
Thirteen weeks
http://youtu.be/0QjxY-wdXUU
Brighton Camp – very detailed explanation. Reading musical notation versus tab. My new chart of notes on the stave. Better use of the bellows.
When A Knight Won His Spurs – new bits including Em7 and Gsus4 chords.
Advice on practice.
Blog 11 – October 26th 2011
Five months
http://youtu.be/7UANaQCpzyI
In The Bleak Midwinter – in C on the GC box.
Dm7 and Am added 2nd chord.
C F C turnaround. Varying the volume and speed to add expression.
Blog 12 – October 26th 2011
Five months
http://youtu.be/PtspnYAthLk
The Zither Carol – on the DG box in varying time signatures (2/4 and 3/4).
The unusual use of the left hand for a melody note. Lots of row crossing.
Blog 13 – November 28th 2011
Six months
http://youtu.be/qNvo2xRjg2k
A new melodeon!! – a used Saltarelle Connemara III. 2.5 rows in DG.
Demo of this instrument. Row crossing versus bellows direction changes discussed.
Silent Night - on the Saltarelle in A removing thirds from the chords and using the extra bass buttons
The Zither Carol – on the Saltarelle. Use of 2 medium reeds. Thirds back in chords and low basses on left hand.
Hohner Erica versus Saltarelle Connemara III.
Warning about practicing for too long.
Blog 14 – April 18th 2012
Eleven months
http://youtu.be/7UzSiOdKAV0
Princess Royal on the Saltarelle.
Lots of row crossing and use of extra “.5”row.
Strap adjustment. Row crossing versus bellows direction changing discussed again.
Blog 15 – May 8th 2012
Eleven and a half months
http://youtu.be/vwYPJO2hPjM
The Ash Grove on the GC Erica. Row crossing and fingering technique.
Princess Royal on the Saltarelle with a different right-hand technique – thumb round the back of the treble fingerboard. Tighter bellows – less movement. Use of guitar foot stool. Staccato versus legato. Use of lower reeds to drop pitch of tune.
Blog 16 - May 20th 2012
One Year
http://youtu.be/HJjggm1m2h0
This is my end of one year progress report - old and new footage to demonstrate any progress made. The seven tunes I play are:- Oh Dear What Can The Matter Be? /Blaydon Races /The Keel Row /Winster Gallop / The Waters Of Tyne / Davy Nick Nack /Harvest Home - all gleaned from the tutor book I used when I started by George Garside. I lost a couple of months due to illness and I hadn't played these pieces since I first recorded them but it gives you a fair indication of what I've managed to achieve in the year. I wrap things up at the end with a short summary.
Blog 17 - May 25th 2012
One Year and a bit!
http://youtu.be/y9KzdOkSyZ4
Go straight to the good bits to cut out my wittering - see timings!
In this blog I demo my new acquisition - a Dino Baffetti Oakwood Binci II and play an easy version of an Andy Cutting tune called Atherfield - right hand only (2:17) and with the left hand (15:11)
I also talk about minor sevenths, sevenths and major sevenths using my piano to make things a bit clearer (6:51)
Blog 18 - June 1st 2012
One Year and a bit more!!
http://youtu.be/t9Gl6Sgo00g
In this special Diamond Jubilee blog I play God Save The Queen in a lower key than usual (D as opposed to G) and I make good use of all those extra basses on my Saltarelle Connemara III.
Blog 19 - June 27th 2012
One Year and one month
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06hZ83KknqU
In this blog I play and talk about the fine old tune Staines Morris - in A minor on a GC box and then in E minor on a DG. I discuss strap heights, get to play a bit of guitar and on the end there is a heart warming story!
NOW SUPERSEDED BY A PROPER LESSON FOR THE TUNE (MAY 2018). Go to www.daddylongles.com
Blog 20 - September 6th 2012
One Year and three months
http://youtu.be/Hi2ZURYyxFM
In this blog I show you round my Sibylla Brand GCF melodeon and play you a simple tune at the end so you know what it sounds like.
The layout pdf is attached.
Here is a link to Owen's blog about this little box that he wrote earlier in the year:-
http://ukebert.wordpress.com/2012/03/21/inside-and-out-part-2-sibylla-brand-gcf/
Blog 21 - September 7th 2012
One Year and three months
http://youtu.be/qxfviIMXQKM
The British Grenadiers played partly cross row and partly up and down the row on a DG box in the key of G.
Music and instructions attached!
Blog 22 - September 10th 2012
One Year and three months
http://youtu.be/xJ03iMR3ICE
The Grenadier & The Lady I sing and play for the first time using my Saltarelle Connemara III. Lots of crossrow stuff. Music attached.
Blog 23 - September 12th 2012
One Year and three months
http://youtu.be/03w97BulIIo
Galopede I talk through the way I play this piece.
Blog 24 - October 21st 2012
One Year and five months
http://youtu.be/bAPGsfs8fKU
Silent Night In the key of A on my Hohner Compadre ADG. You can download the dots from www.daddylongles.com
Blog 25 - October 23rd 2012
One Year and five months
http://youtu.be/BzTZSZTiUsk
The Bluebell Polka The A part played and explained using my Hohner Compadre ADG. You can download the dots from www.daddylongles.com
Blog 26 - October 23rd 2012
One Year and five months
http://youtu.be/vJUZ4mX2BVE
The Bluebell Polka The B part played and explained using my Hohner Compadre ADG. You can download the dots from www.daddylongles.com
Blog 27 - October 23rd 2012
One Year and five months
http://youtu.be/2STiwJ4Ivl8
The Bluebell Polka The C part played and explained using my Hohner Compadre ADG. You can download the dots from www.daddylongles.com
Blog 28 - November 9th 2012
One Year and five and a half months
http://youtu.be/EltRniFwbds
Donkey Riding Played and explained on the DG cross-row You can download the dots from www.daddylongles.com
Blog 29 - January 25th 2013
20 months
http://youtu.be/7xlMTUmaXSg
Donkey Riding (AGAIN!!) Played and explained on the DG but this time I play it on a single row and use four fingers for the left hand. You can download the left hand exercise from www.daddylongles.com
Blog 30 - January 29th 2013 (My 60th birthday!!)
20 months
http://youtu.be/8NARI8C5ja8
Dunking Biscuits A song/tune written by me in 1995 played on my Hohner Corona Xtreme IIIN. You can download the dots from www.daddylongles.com
Blog 31 - April 4th 2013
22 months
http://youtu.be/ZHMmGy0LogY
Shepherd's Hey & Washing Day Two one-row tunes learnt from JK's DVD - both played on two-row instruments
Blog 32 - April 4th 2013
22 months
http://youtu.be/mh-JuEfN9Pg
Don't Call Pluto A Planet My own tune played in C on a G/C Erica
Blog 33 - April 4th 2013
22 months
http://youtu.be/NJPbba0fw7g
Madame Fifi My own tune played on a Sibylla Brand box from the 1930's. This is from a production of "Allo Allo" that I am appearing in!
Blog 34 - May 21st 2013
2 Years
http://youtu.be/5TmfhWRlpSg
Norma My own tune played on a Dino Baffetti. I also play my Pluto tune on a Hohner Corona IIIN Xtreme and a Roland FR-18 and discuss the merits and otherwise of the latter. I sum up two years with the melodeon.
Blog 35 - June 11th 2013
2 Years and Three Weeks
http://youtu.be/YJ598TBtOhY
I show you my latest box - a Hohner 1040C one row. I play seven tunes. Home Sweet Home; Bobby Shafto; Wooden Heart; Oh Susannah; The Keel Row; Auld Lang Syne; Skip To My Lou
Jump to 6:44 to avoid my wittering!!
Blog 36 - July 6th 2013
2 Years and 1 Month
http://youtu.be/Dym5vn4STUo
Silent Night on the Hohner Corona IIIN Xtreme GCF recorded for melnet member btracy
Blog 37 - August 19th 2013
2 Years and 3 Months
http://youtu.be/cYav4yWyQyg
When The Boat Comes In on the Hohner Corona IIIN Xtreme GCF
tab at www.lestitford.com
Blog 38 - September 3rd 2013
2 Years and 3.5 Months
http://youtu.be/BG7auPFt2qI
Drunken Sailor on the Dino Baffetti DG (in E minor) and on the Hohner Corona IIIN Xtreme GCF in D minor. I use the accidentals in this blog.
Blog 39 - October 16th 2013
2 Years and 5 Months
http://youtu.be/RVn2ZbXchCk
Tom Dooley Played and explained on a GCF (key of C) and on a DG (key of D). This blog is in response to a request from a melnet member who lives in Holland who plays a CF box. Music for GCF and CF melodeon at www.daddylongles.com
Blog 40 - October 16th 2013
2 Years and 5 Months
http://youtu.be/ud-T6sxmuAc
In The Bleak Midwinter Played and explained on an ADG (key of D). I also play the same tune on a GCF (key of F) and on a DG (key of G). At the end of the blog you can hear an audio recording that I made of me playing the tune in G on an Erica with some added acoustic guitar. This is the second time I've dealt with this tune (see also Blog 11) - as you may have gathered, it's a favourite of mine!! Sheet music available in D,F,G and C for various types of boxes at www.daddylongles.com
Blog 41 - June 11th 2014
3 Years
http://youtu.be/f0UlyADg8lg
All Creatures Of Our God And King Played and explained on a Hohner Compadre ADG (key of D).
Blog 42 - July 1st 2014
3 Years and 1 Month
http://youtu.be/j3l0KwaVw0U
The Grand Old Duke Of York Played and explained on four different boxes (1, 2 and 3 row) and in four different keys. Amongst other things, I deal with "fudging" the tune if you don't have the low note necessary and adding in a simple right-hand harmony.
Blog 43 - July 7th 2014
3 Years and 1 Month
http://youtu.be/-KsmeCUOOt0
The Grand Old Duke Of York - Part Two This time I play and explain it in the upper octave of a Hohner 1040C and a Hohner Corona Xtreme IIIN GCF (Key of G)
Blog 44 - July 16th 2014
3 Years and 2 Months
http://youtu.be/SUzrmzGyeew
Clementine Played and explained on a Hohner Corona Xtreme IIIN GCF (Key of G)
Blog 45 - July 21st 2014
3 Years and 2 Months
http://youtu.be/UW5mHD2yvEI
Camptown Races Played and explained on a Hohner 1040C one-row box.
Blog 46 - July 21st 2014
3 Years and 2 Months
http://youtu.be/AUZPoVispyk
Camptown Races (again!) Played and explained in G on a Dino Baffetti Binci DG box.
Blog 47 - July 21st 2014
3 Years and 2 Months
http://youtu.be/DvS-aUXsCO4
Camptown Races (yet again!) Played and explained in D on a Dino Baffetti Binci DG box.
Blog 48 - July 22nd 2014
3 Years and 2 Months
http://youtu.be/BgaOsxuAqPs
Camptown Races (last one!) Played and explained in F on a Hohner Corona Xtreme IIIN GCF box. I also take you for a quick "trip" round the box at the end to demo all the different reed options.
Blog 49 - October 13th 2014
3 Years and 5 Months
http://youtu.be/dVIFhjoO2MU
Boulevard Saint-Michel Played and explained on a Hohner Compadre ADG box. This is an original tune of mine.
Blog 50 - October 13th 2014
3 Years and 5 Months
http://youtu.be/kXSKR8orbCA
Boulevard Saint-Michel Played and explained on a Hohner Corona Xtreme IIIN GCF box plus a Sybilla Brand GCF box. This is an original tune of mine that I featured in Blog 49.
Blog 51 - October 20th 2014
3 Years and 5 Months
http://youtu.be/u-0VhC15RzE
Brahms' Lullaby Played and explained on a Hohner Compadre ADG and a Hohner Xtreme IIIN GCF.
Blog 52 - October 27th 2014
3 Years and 5 Months
http://youtu.be/2OLckA3gWd4
The Third Man Played and explained on a Hohner Compadre ADG - have some fun with your accidentals!
Blog 53 - October 3rd 2016
5 Years and 4 Months
https://youtu.be/SN1dgOyF4C4
I explain my absence over the past two years and talk about the work I am going to have done to my Hohner Erica.
Blog 54 - October 12th 2016
5 Years and 4 Months
https://youtu.be/9gzEIldbQ3I
My Hohner Erica has returned and I show you round it
Blog 55 - October 12th 2016
5 Years and 4 Months
https://youtu.be/FNMV4QMLn9A
A new box - a Saltarelle Pastourelle 2
Blog 56 - November 24th 2016
5 Years and 6 Months
https://youtu.be/HCCbjo1AUag
A new strap arrangement!
Blog 57 - December 18th 2016
5 Years and 7 Months
https://youtu.be/2-rrm0CwigI
I show you round my Castagnari Lily in DG
Blog 58 - December 21st 2016
5 Years and 7 Months
https://youtu.be/t5fC0Fcqhh4
I show you Alex Browne's wonderful Diatonic Liaisons book which I received in the post yesterday.
Blog 59 - December 31st 2016
5 Years and 7 Months
https://youtu.be/NZDoRULj5Po
Following on from my last blog, I show you Isleworth Bridge on a DG Castagnari Lily which was the first tune that Andy Cutting wrote for the melodeon.
Blog 60 - January 9th 2017
5 Years and 7 Months
https://youtu.be/IeTpWG_CQHI
The saga of the straps continues!
Blog 61 - January 12th 2017
5 Years and 7 Months
https://youtu.be/OnqK-F1-aPg
I talk about my new project - learning The Abbess by Andy Cutting.
Blog 62 - March 9th 2017
5 Years and 9 Months
https://youtu.be/nxI0SsBgQfs
New work done on my GC Erica and my DG Lily plus a couple of tunes - Valse Triste and Dashing Away With The Smoothing Iron.
Blog 63 - May 22nd 2017
6 Years (and one day!!)
https://youtu.be/MgZLm1DOl78
Another Dino Baffetti Binci! Also I show you my Morris Crib Cards which may give you an idea if you struggle with all those pesky As and Bs.
Blog 64 - November 9th 2017
6.5 Years
https://youtu.be/hDla3gHku4U
Wildwood Flower played on four different boxes and in three keys. My Baffetti has now been Dedic tuned.
All done in one day so it's rough and ready! DG music at www.daddylongles.com Go to "Squeezeboxes" DG Melodeon/Resources
Blog 65 - November 25th 2017
6.5 Years
https://youtu.be/zWFeOyuoB7A
Happy Birthday played and explained on a GC box.
Download the sheet music at www.daddylongles.com Go to "Squeezeboxes/GC Melodeon/Resources"
Blog 66 - November 28th 2017
6.5 Years
https://youtu.be/jGVhCIJRubM
We Wish You A Merry Christmas played and explained on a DG box. Go to 8:56 in the video to see a performance.
Download the sheet music at www.daddylongles.com Go to "Squeezeboxes/DG Melodeon/Resources"
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Blog 67 - December 5th 2017
6.5 Years
https://youtu.be/4Ug2VQp7Cs8
In this blog I talk about 3 popular DG layouts including Anahata's and I play a version of Speed The Plough played at the lowest octave on a DG box with the Anahata layout.
Sheet music and my notes from this blog are attached.
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Blog 68 - December 8th 2017
6.5 Years
https://youtu.be/06scTusyiGQ
I return to The Zither Carol that I first covered in Blog 12 back in October 2011.
I play it on a DG Dino Baffetti Binci in D (3rd button start) and a Castagnari Lily which has the Anahata 4th button start layout.
Sheet music to both versions attached.
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Blog 69 - December 11th 2017
6.5 Years
https://youtu.be/q4Qtk7iRVd4
It Must Be Santa - a fun song recorded originally by Tommy Steele and then, much later by Bob Dylan. I've added more words
Rough and ready - words and sheet music attached. Have fun!!
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Blog 70 - December 11th 2017
6.5 Years
https://youtu.be/1VoVpebWX5U
Silent Night on my funny little GCF Sibylla Brand box from East Germany
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Blog 71 - December 12th 2017
6 Years 7 Months
https://youtu.be/DgKXBcSPuc0
A look at my 3-row ADG box. A Hohner Compadre.
This might help you if you are considering a 3-row like this.
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Blog 72 - January 9th 2018
6 Years 8 Months
https://youtu.be/Q3uvVmI7d-A
A new box - Hohner Liliput Bb Eb
A review of this nice little melodeon.
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Blog 73 23rd January 2018
6 years 8 months
https://youtu.be/MYn7_K_5FS8
Standard Layout With Accidentals versus 2.4 Layout
In this video I show you the advantage of having an extra helper row of accidentals (2.4) versus a standard layout with the accidentals on the 1st buttons of the rows. I use a Castagnari Lily DG and a Hohner Liliput Bb Eb (2.4) and the famous old tune, The Bluebell Polka to demonstrate all this.
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Blog 74 26th January 2018
6 years 8 months
Onward Christian Soldiers in Eb
https://youtu.be/Bdz0FIhzd68
The lovely old hymn written by Sir Arthur Sullivan. I play it on a Hohner Liliput Eb Bb melodeon in the key of Eb which I believe is the key it was written in.
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Blog 75 26th February 2018
6 years 9 months
He Who Would Valiant Be (To Be A Pilgrim) played and explained on a Hohner Liliput Bb Eb
https://youtu.be/bsH9Q-DcITU
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Blog 76 October 15th 2019
8 Years 5 months
In this video I give advice to beginners - the sort of thing I would have been grateful for when I first started.
https://youtu.be/ixk20r01QQM (https://youtu.be/ixk20r01QQM)
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Blog 77 - 3rd June 2021. I have been playing for exactly ten years. The first tune I learnt was "Oh Dear What Can The Matter Be?" from George Garside's book. In this blog I talk a bit about my ten years of playing followed by a free tutorial with sheet music of a brand new version of this tune. If you are a beginner I feel sure you will learn something from this lesson. I would like to say thank you to all those kind folk who have helped me over the years - far too many to mention by name but I'm sure you know who you are!
Here's the link:-
https://youtu.be/jw2VVhMIiOg
The sheet music is attached.
Here's to the next ten years!
Les