Melodeon.net Forums

Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

News:

Welcome to the new melodeon.net forum

Pages: 1 [2] 3 4 5 6 7 ... 29   Go Down

Author Topic: Beginners Showcase!  (Read 173744 times)

0 Members and 3 Guests are viewing this topic.

GuyWyatt

  • Respected Sage
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 303
Re: Beginners Showcase!
« Reply #20 on: April 18, 2012, 06:13:23 PM »

Bravo Spikey
Logged

Spikey

  • Regular debater
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 160
  • NZ
Re: Beginners Showcase!
« Reply #21 on: April 18, 2012, 08:29:01 PM »

Thanks eveyone (:).  I think it helped a lot that I have played the piano for what must be nearly 40 :o years now, and the cello for a few too, so my fingers were quite strong and used to all that stretching and doing their own thing.  Bellows control is another matter though - a bit like bowing technique taking a lifetime to perfect, but at least the resulting sounds aren't as bad as poor bowing ;D
And playing the melodeon has definitely given me more of a feel for scale structure (or is it intervals?) - and a huge revelation realising that as I had learnt a tune on the D/G I could just pick up the C/F and play the same and it would be transposed - magic.
Logged

Daddy Long Les

  • Forum Librarian
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 999
    • Daddy Long Les
Re: Beginners Showcase!
« Reply #22 on: April 20, 2012, 08:00:21 AM »

Just seen this as I've been out of action for a while. Great idea LDT well done! Now I know where to post my performance videos.  Congratulations to all the brave folk on here for getting in front of their camcorders. For me it usually means about 35 attempts before I get something passable. If it helps, what I do is leave the camera running and say aloud the number of the "take" and make a note on a piece of paper of any decent ones. I usually find when I start to get worse instead of better it's time to sift through what I've got in the can already and pick the best of what I've got.
Logged
Castagnari Lily DG, Dino Baffetti Binci DG, Hohner Erica DG, Hohner Erica GC, Hohner Liliput Bb Eb, Sybilla Brand GCF, Hohner Compadre ADG, Hohner 4 stop in C

Pete Dunk

  • Typo Expert
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3690
Re: Beginners Showcase!
« Reply #23 on: April 20, 2012, 11:46:54 PM »

I am learning to play the melodeon and this is what it sounds like so far..." ;D

Ah, but you play something else, and to a good standard. Phrasing of that quality doesn't just happen, you're a well practised and competent musician. So what other instruments do you play?
Logged
Squeezing on the Isle of Oxney, UK
Primo (Serenellini) D/G
Isis D/G
Hohner B/E, G/C, C/F, Bb/Eb G/C/F
Liliputs D/G (G scale), C/F, Bb/Eb, Albrecht Custom D/G (G scale)

Spikey

  • Regular debater
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 160
  • NZ
Re: Beginners Showcase!
« Reply #24 on: April 21, 2012, 08:22:26 AM »

Piano and a smidgeon of cello (see above (:)).  Thank you - I'm glad it came across OK, even though it is cringe-making to hear yourself.  So don't be put off, anyone who is debating whether to post or not (:) - it is awful, but you feel better when you've done it ;D.

When I was a teenager my old and wise piano teacher said that I didn't have enough life experience to do phrasing and expression properly (although seeing the brilliant young musicians on here and elsewhere I'm not sure this is entirely true).  Being now in the category of, ahem, 'no spring chicken' I think I've finally got it, though I'm not convinced it was a very fair exchange - I would quite like to take back some of that 'life experience'.  I don't think the people upstairs do refunds though.
Logged

Pete Dunk

  • Typo Expert
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3690
Re: Beginners Showcase!
« Reply #25 on: April 21, 2012, 03:25:13 PM »

Piano and a smidgeon of cello (see above (:)).

Doh! I shouldn't play with speed reading threads at my age!
Logged
Squeezing on the Isle of Oxney, UK
Primo (Serenellini) D/G
Isis D/G
Hohner B/E, G/C, C/F, Bb/Eb G/C/F
Liliputs D/G (G scale), C/F, Bb/Eb, Albrecht Custom D/G (G scale)

AirTime

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 979
Re: Beginners Showcase!
« Reply #26 on: May 01, 2012, 07:10:39 AM »

At 9 months in, I'm not sure if I still qualify as a "beginner", but here's my contribution to April's TOTM played on a vintage EbBb Hohner. As I mentioned in the TOTM thread this is my first Youtube posting of any sort - as a techno-phobe I still can't believe I managed to accomplish it!  At this rate, it won't be long before I'm tweeting ...  :o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKj9m-INjKY
Logged
1920's BbEb Hohner; 1920's  AD Koch; 1910 (?) One-row Hohner in D,  1910's GCB Maga Ercole; ; AD 1950's Pistelli, CF Sandpiper, CF Preciosa, BbEb Preciosa.

Spikey

  • Regular debater
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 160
  • NZ
Re: Beginners Showcase!
« Reply #27 on: May 01, 2012, 07:59:27 AM »

That was great!  So well played, and such an interesting and nice sounding box - it sounded like someone was delicately tap-dancing to your playing - brilliant (:).
Logged

Lester

  • MADman
  • Mods and volunteers
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 9100
  • Hohners'R'me
    • Lester's Melodeon Emporium and Tune-a-Rama
Re: Beginners Showcase!
« Reply #28 on: May 01, 2012, 08:08:26 AM »

At 9 months in, I'm not sure if I still qualify as a "beginner", but here's my contribution to April's TOTM played on a vintage EbBb Hohner. As I mentioned in the TOTM thread this is my first Youtube posting of any sort - as a techno-phobe I still can't believe I managed to accomplish it!  At this rate, it won't be long before I'm tweeting ...  :o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKj9m-INjKY

Nicely played and I am really envious of the box.

Daddy Long Les

  • Forum Librarian
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 999
    • Daddy Long Les
Re: Beginners Showcase!
« Reply #29 on: May 01, 2012, 08:10:52 AM »

 (:)Lovely. Well played and I love the box.  Thanks for putting this up.
Logged
Castagnari Lily DG, Dino Baffetti Binci DG, Hohner Erica DG, Hohner Erica GC, Hohner Liliput Bb Eb, Sybilla Brand GCF, Hohner Compadre ADG, Hohner 4 stop in C

ladydetemps

  • Emote Wizard
  • Forum Librarian
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3768
  • Castagnari Tommy D/G, Hohner 1 row 4 stop in C
    • My Youtube Channel
Re: Beginners Showcase!
« Reply #30 on: May 01, 2012, 11:33:34 AM »

At 9 months in, I'm not sure if I still qualify as a "beginner", but here's my contribution to April's TOTM played on a vintage EbBb Hohner. As I mentioned in the TOTM thread this is my first Youtube posting of any sort - as a techno-phobe I still can't believe I managed to accomplish it!  At this rate, it won't be long before I'm tweeting ...  :o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKj9m-INjKY
Sounds nice in that boxes key.

Ollie

  • Grumpy Young Git
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1900
    • Ollie King
Re: Beginners Showcase!
« Reply #31 on: May 01, 2012, 01:07:26 PM »

At 9 months in, I'm not sure if I still qualify as a "beginner", but here's my contribution to April's TOTM played on a vintage EbBb Hohner. As I mentioned in the TOTM thread this is my first Youtube posting of any sort - as a techno-phobe I still can't believe I managed to accomplish it!  At this rate, it won't be long before I'm tweeting ...  :o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKj9m-INjKY

Wow! After 9 months, that's very impressive. Not many 'beginners' would attempt basses, let alone right hand harmony. Looking forward to hearing more of your stuff.  (:)
Logged
Hohner Erika 12 bass D/G : Hohner Erika Bb/Eb : Hohner 1 row 4 stop D : Hohner Erica 9 bass D/G :

http://www.olliekingmusic.com/

Free-Reed Specialist, Hobgoblin Leeds

AirTime

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 979
Re: Beginners Showcase!
« Reply #32 on: May 02, 2012, 10:48:25 PM »

Thanks for your kind comments! Yes, I really like the sound of the old Hohner, & the EbBb tuning, although not very common, seems an ideal key for a lot of tunes.

One of my friends watched the video & asked whether someone was playing something in the background - I had to explain to them about "Hohner percussion"!

Having mastered the intricacies of Youtube, I'm looking forward to posting some more videos. It is, however, a sobering realization after months of playing casually for myself,  that even though I can play a bunch of tunes reasonably fluently, I can barely play ANY of them - even ones I have played many, many times - all the way through without making the odd, unpredictable (& annoying) mistake.  On the positive front, I managed to get Planxty Irwin out with only a few days practice, so there is a sense that gradually things are starting to come together.

Logged
1920's BbEb Hohner; 1920's  AD Koch; 1910 (?) One-row Hohner in D,  1910's GCB Maga Ercole; ; AD 1950's Pistelli, CF Sandpiper, CF Preciosa, BbEb Preciosa.

Anahata

  • This mind intentionally left blank
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6354
  • Oakwood D/G, C/F Club, 1-rows in C,D,G
    • Treewind Music
Re: Beginners Showcase!
« Reply #33 on: May 03, 2012, 07:50:25 AM »

even though I can play a bunch of tunes reasonably fluently, I can barely play ANY of them - even ones I have played many, many times - all the way through without making the odd, unpredictable (& annoying) mistake.


After more than 30 years, I'm still waiting to get beyond that stage  :'(

Logged
I'm a melodeon player. What's your excuse?
Music recording and web hosting: www.treewind.co.uk
Mary Humphreys and Anahata: www.maryanahata.co.uk
Ceilidh band: www.barleycoteband.co.uk

Just4Fun

  • Guest
Re: Beginners Showcase!
« Reply #34 on: May 03, 2012, 09:55:28 AM »

And after two years I look forward to just having to worry about the 'odd' one. Mine are many and frequent and often accompanied by a sudden increase in volume!
Logged

nemethmik

  • Good talker
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 54
Re: Beginners Showcase!
« Reply #35 on: May 03, 2012, 10:14:43 AM »

At 9 months in, I'm not sure if I still qualify as a "beginner",
Excellent performance. I am very sure that you are an established musician (perhaps on a piano accordion), and you are not qualified as a beginner. You are like my daughter, just name the instrument and the tune and give her 2 weeks before a good paying gig
Logged
Miklos

AirTime

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 979
Re: Beginners Showcase!
« Reply #36 on: May 04, 2012, 06:29:55 AM »

Quote
After more than 30 years, I'm still waiting to get beyond that stage   

Is that meant to be encouraging, or discouraging  ??? ?!

I find it hard to believe in your case, unless that little Oakwood of yours is playing itself!  ;)

Quote
Excellent performance. I am very sure that you are an established musician (perhaps on a piano accordion), and you are not qualified as a beginner.

No, I'm not an "established musician", but I AM Hungarian!

I only played the PA for two months before realizing the error of my ways & switching to the melodeon. My other musical experience is decades of playing (very mediocre) guitar, with no appreciable advance from my teenage years, & 2 years of the mandolin, which I took up recently & have now somewhat abandoned due to MADness.

To my mind, the melodeon is a very gratifying instruments to learn. It's small, compact, light-weight & simple, but at the same time powerful & expressive. It's brilliantly designed for ease of playing - ergonomic & no more complicated than required. No real stretching or contorting of the fingers is required & (unlike the mandolin which required suffering months of painful finger pads) there's no pain involved. When you hit a button, it sounds the note - there's none of that frustrating "how the hell do I fret THAT string while simultaneously fretting THAT one?!  >:(   and - unlike bowed stringed instruments, or woodwind, or brass - when you sound the note, it sounds clear & true.

The absolute key for me has been the aid provided by YouTube. I'm an "intuitive player" - the idea of lessons or even following a book or other theoretical learning system is anathema to me. Being able to see & hear accomplished players on YouTube has pushed me to learn new tunes & advance slowly but steadily. That, & putting in the time.





Logged
1920's BbEb Hohner; 1920's  AD Koch; 1910 (?) One-row Hohner in D,  1910's GCB Maga Ercole; ; AD 1950's Pistelli, CF Sandpiper, CF Preciosa, BbEb Preciosa.

Anahata

  • This mind intentionally left blank
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6354
  • Oakwood D/G, C/F Club, 1-rows in C,D,G
    • Treewind Music
Re: Beginners Showcase!
« Reply #37 on: May 04, 2012, 08:14:52 AM »

I find it hard to believe in your case, unless that little Oakwood of yours is playing itself!  ;)


Whatever, I still hit wrong notes on tunes I've been playing for years.

Logged
I'm a melodeon player. What's your excuse?
Music recording and web hosting: www.treewind.co.uk
Mary Humphreys and Anahata: www.maryanahata.co.uk
Ceilidh band: www.barleycoteband.co.uk

nemethmik

  • Good talker
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 54
Re: Beginners Showcase!
« Reply #38 on: May 04, 2012, 08:38:17 AM »

Quote
Excellent performance. I am very sure that you are an established musician (perhaps on a piano accordion), and you are not qualified as a beginner.
No, I'm not an "established musician", but I AM Hungarian!
Incredible! I love your description of the advantages of the melodeon.
Logged
Miklos

ladydetemps

  • Emote Wizard
  • Forum Librarian
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3768
  • Castagnari Tommy D/G, Hohner 1 row 4 stop in C
    • My Youtube Channel
Re: Beginners Showcase!
« Reply #39 on: May 04, 2012, 09:00:24 AM »

To clarify the 'beginner issue' if you are a beginner on the melodeon it counts, as long as you do mention any previous significant experience playing an instrument at a more than beginner level.

Signed The Moderator
Pages: 1 [2] 3 4 5 6 7 ... 29   Go Up
 


Melodeon.net - (c) Theo Gibb; Clive Williams 2010. The access and use of this website and forum featuring these terms and conditions constitutes your acceptance of these terms and conditions.
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal