NEW! LIVE Bi-Weekly Lesson – Session 2B

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Accordion, Accordion Sheetmusic, Accordion Solos, Practice tips

1st & 3rd Mondays – 8 PM CENTRAL DAYLIGHT SAVING – Next – Mon. Aug 15 8pm Central (we are finally back on track – welcome to the 3rd Monday!)

• http://www.ustream.tv/channel/my-accordion-blog—shelia-lee
• Please watch Session 2A – this will be a continuation – 2B
  

The largest motivation I have for doing all this – is that there are NOT ENOUGH ACCORDION TEACHERS out there these days – and those that do teach – are hurting for new and modern materials to use. AND here in the USA – there is NO Certification process – for future accordionists OR teachers and no accordion organizations that offers it.

These sessions will be recorded so you can catch it at another time – or use it for review. AND see that even though I am starting VERY LOW – I will have challenges for the advance beginner, the intermediate player and the teachers!

I will be teaching on a TRI-Level basis. Please print out material needed:

• Level 1 Session 2B – See Below
• Dizzy Fingers pg 4 & 5 – please print pg 4 (should already have printed)
• 1 Sleep, Sleep – (Du, Du, Liegst Mir Im Herzen)  should have from last session
• Que Sera Sera Alternating Basses (Tonight’s Sight Reading)
• 2 Favorite Polka Solo – Additional Solo
• Drink To Me Only – 1st song in PH Bk 2 (print if you don’t have bk 2)
• Camptown Races – 2nd song in PH Bk 2 (print if you don’t have bk 2)
• Chord Positions All Keys – this is the CORRECT chart – should already have
• Teachers – Level 1 Session 2B – I will get the print out polished and get posted here

************

1. Beginner – Session 2B
   
   1. We did a fantastic Review in 1C and starting 2A
      
      1. Review C, F & G Scales – now 2 octaves (adding the first 4 bass notes)
      2. Intro to 4 note Bass Scales
   2. Book Lesson Songs
      1. 1 Sleep, Sleep – (Du, Du, Liegst Mir Im Herzen)  Review with Bass Solo
      2. Intro to Counterbasses (please print) (should have from last session)
      3. The Can-Can (Hand moves) PH Bk 1
         
      4. Vegetables on Parade (Too Fat Polka) PH Bk 1
         
      5. All with backtracks
   3. 1. Review Reading Lines and Spaces BOTH HANDS
   1. Beg. Sight Reading – Que Sera Sera & Favorite Polka
   2. Intro to PH 2 – First 2 Songs
      
   3. Theory Book through the Review 21
2. Intermediate – Chords and 1 Advanced Solo
   1. Dizzy Fingers Pg 4 (you already have pg 5)
   2. Add Chords to Sight Reading Songs
   3. Chord Positions All Keys 
3. Teachers – How to relate these ABOVE skills to your students
   1. Reinforce – reading left hand staff
      
   2. Teachers – video all songs from this session – two speeds – Slow and Performance
4. ALL LEVELS – ALFRED’S ESSENTIALS OF MUSIC THEORY
   1. Theory Book – section to 10-13, ear training and the review (pg 21)
   2. I will review these with you on the live broadcast
   3. Fill in the TEST at the back of Book 1 and we will check these off in Session 2C
5. Assignment – master these new songs and techniques

NEW! LIVE Bi-Weekly Lesson – Session 1C

Tags

Accordion, Accordion lessons, Accordion Sheetmusic, Accordion Solos, Practice tips

Honors Accordion Level 1 Session 1C

1st & 3rd Mondays – 8 PM CENTRAL DAYLIGHT SAVING – Mon. June 20th (next live Sunday July 3rd Level 1 Session 2) (normally on Monday – but – USA – Holiday is Monday July 4th)

• http://www.ustream.tv/channel/my-accordion-blog—shelia-lee
• Please watch Session 1A & 1B – this will be a continuation
• I DID do this LIVE – Now I am having problems with the USTREAM feed

The largest motivation I have for doing all this – is that there are NOT ENOUGH ACCORDION TEACHERS out there these days – and those that do teach – are hurting for new and modern materials to use. AND here in the USA – there is NO Certification process – for future accordionists OR teachers and no accordion organizations that offers it.

These sessions will be recorded so you can catch it at another time – or use it for review. AND see that even though I am starting VERY LOW – I will have challenges for the advance beginner, the intermediate player and the teachers!

I will be teaching on a TRI-Level basis. Please print out material needed:

• Level 1 Session 1 – no need to reprint – should already have from last lesson
• Dizzy Fingers pg 4 & 5 – please print pg 4
• This Land is Your Land – please print
• Chord Positions All Keys – this is the CORRECT chart – should already have
• Teachers – Session 1 – no need to reprint – should already have from last lesson

1. Beginner – Review 1b (Page 17 to 27)
   
   1. 1 PH Bk 1 – Keyboard – Session 1
      
      1. Review & Check off Songs and Drills-C, F & G Scales
         1. Go ‘Way & Merrily We Play Along
            1. All with backtracks
         2. Legato – Horse Sense
         3. The Donkey, Jingle Bells (Write in Bass Chord Bass Chord pattern)
         4. All with backtracks
         5. Join the Fun! & Charlie the Chimp (Write in Alternating basses)
         6. All with backtracks
      2. Review Reading Lines and Spaces and 5 Bass Notes
2. Beginner – Session 1c (pg 17 to 27)
   1. Beg. Sight Reading – This Land Is Your Land
   2. Beg. Sight Reading – When the Saints
      
   3. Theory Book through the Review 10
   4. Assignment
      1. Record yourself playing 1 song in 4/4 and one song in 3/4
      2. Be proud enough of the recording to post to You Tube and send the link!
      3. Answer Questions pg 29 (Done in 1b)
3. Intermediate – Chords and 1 Advanced Solo
   1. Dizzy Fingers Pg 4 (you already have pg 5)
   2. He – Level 2 – Sight Reading
   3. Chord Positions All Keys (Correction – wrong one posted last week)
      1. He – Chords Only
4. Teacher – How to relate these ABOVE skills to your students
   1. 1 PH Bk 1 – Workbook Level 1 Session 1
      1. Review Teacher Book pg 15 to 17
      2. Teachers – video all songs from this session – two speeds – Slow and Performance
      3. All through the Night (Teacher’s Explanation) (SKIP)
      4. This session and the Last Session – Great time to send home the worksheets to reinforce reading of notes and counts.
      5. Review – with teachers – how to use Drop Box
5. ALL LEVELS – ALFRED’S ESSENTIALS OF MUSIC THEORY
   1. Theory Book of Intermediate players – next section to review 10
   2. Beginners – under 12 years old – do the teacher handouts

NEW! LIVE Bi-Weekly Lesson – Session 1B

Tags

Accordion, Accordion Exercises, Accordion lessons, Accordion Solos

Honors Accordion Level 1 Session 1B

1st & 3rd Mondays – 8 PM CENTRAL DAYLIGHT SAVING (next live Monday June 20 Level 1 Session 2)

We made it through all the material! YEAH! – Except 6 songs in PH 1 – you are on your own on those! We will review those at the beginning of the next broadcast.

• http://www.ustream.tv/channel/my-accordion-blog—shelia-lee
• I am having difficulty uploading this 1B to YouTube! it is a poor recording – don’t know why?
• Please watch Session 1A – this will be a continuation

The largest motivation I have for doing all this – is that there are NOT ENOUGH ACCORDION TEACHERS out there these days – and those that do teach – are hurting for new and modern materials to use. AND here in the USA – there is NO Certification process – for future accordionists OR teachers and no accordion organizations that offers it.

These sessions will be recorded so you can catch it at another time – or use it for review. AND see that even though I am starting VERY LOW – I will have challenges for the advance beginner, the intermediate player and the teachers!

I will be teaching on a TRI-Level basis. Please print out material needed:

• Level 1 Session 1 – no need to reprint – should already have from last lesson
• Dizzy Fingers pg 5 – no need to reprint – should already have from last lesson
• Ob-la-Di Ob-La Da – please print both arrangements out
• Chord Positions All Keys – this is the CORRECT chart – please print
• Teachers – Session 1 – no need to reprint – should already have from last lesson

1. Beginner – Review 1a (Page 1 to 19)
   
   1. 1 PH Bk 1 – Keyboard – Session 1
      
      1. Review & Check off Songs and Drills
      2. Review pg 28 – answer questions
   2. Session 1A – Fill out the Theory Book through the Review Pg 3 to 9
2. Beginner – Session 1b (pg 17 to 27)
   1. Technique Drill #2 pg 23 – Intro to C, F & G Scales, Arpeggios, and 4 note M Chord
   2. Sight Reading – Go ‘Way, Merrily We Play Along (on your own)
   3. Intro to Legato – Saturn Waltz pg 25 and Horse Sense
   4. The Donkey, Jingle Bells (Write in Bass Chord Bass Chord pattern)
   5. Join the Fun! & Charlie the Chimp (Write in Alternating basses)
   6. Assignment
      1. Record yourself playing 1 song in 4/4 and one song in 3/4
      2. Be proud enough of the recording to post to You Tube and send the link!
      3. Answer Questions pg 29
3. Intermediate – Chords and 1 Advanced Solo
   1. Dizzy Fingers page 5 (Last 4 lines only)
   2. Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da (Lead Line)
   3. Ob-La-Di Ob-La Da (full accordion arr)
   4. Chord Positions All Keys (Correction – wrong one posted last week)
      1. Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da – Chords Only
4. Teacher – How to relate these ABOVE skills to your students
   1. 1 PH Bk 1 – Workbook Level 1 Session 1
      1. Review Teacher Book pg 15 to 17
      2. Teachers – video all songs from this session – two speeds – Slow and Performance
5. ALL LEVELS – ALFRED’S ESSENTIALS OF MUSIC THEORY
   1. We have already done the Level 1 Session 1 assignment – last lesson

When you have completed your assignments (Teacher and/or Student) – and submitted your videos and theory assignments – YOU HAVE COMPLETED LEVEL 1 SESSION 1!! Level 1 – has 9 more sessions that will complete PH Bk 1 & 2.

If you have paid for this session (1a & 1b) ($30 total or discounted $270 for the entire 10 session) – I will MAIL you your Master or Performance CERTIFICATE! Only 9 more session to your PLAQUE! for Performance or Master (Teacher & Student)

Please have these Books ready:

• Palmer-Hughes Accordion Course, Book 1 & 2 (these will be covered in level 1)
• Alfred’s Essentials of Music Theory: A Complete Self-Study Course for All Musicians $US 39.95 (this will cover Music theory for Certificate Levels 1 & 2 – which include PH 1 to 4)

How do you “satisfy” a session level?
These sessions will be password protected because there is a $30US charge for each Session Level ($10 more for Teacher) – (this could take several 1 hours sessions to cover 1 Session level). I am showing this first session level – so you can get an idea of the intensity of the materials that will be covered. To receive your certificate or plaque – your fees will need to be paid.

• There will be written assignments that are to be turned in!
• There will be playing assignments that you will video yourself and post.
• With these accomplished – you will receive a “PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE“! for that Session Level.
• Those going for the Teacher Certificate – will only have a few more assignments to turn in and you will receive the “MASTER CERTIFICATE“! for that Session Level.
• There are two certificates available. Performance and Master (Teacher & Performance)
• WHEN the 10 sessions for that level is accomplished – you will receive a WOODEN PLAQUE denoting the Performance or Master Classification!!!

NEW! LIVE Bi-Weekly – Session 1A

Tags

Accordion, Accordion lessons, Accordion Sheetmusic, Accordion Solos

Honors Accordion Level 1 Session 1A

1st & 3rd Mondays – 8 PM CENTRAL DAYLIGHT SAVING

OKAY – you have asked for it – SOO HERE WE GO!!!! Here is the link to this LIVE lessons and Click on the Session Level for that week – via

UStream – http://www.ustream.tv/channel/my-accordion-blog—shelia-lee

Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqaG61m9Hww

I will be LIVE – IN FRONT of the camera – showing HOW TO PLAY – note for note, exercise for exercise, song for song – right through everything you will need to know!!! You will even be able to comment questions and suggestions!

These sessions will be recorded so you can catch it at another time – or use it for review. AND see that even though I am starting VERY LOW – I will have challenges for the advance beginner, the intermediate player and the teachers!

I will be teaching on a TRI-Level basis. Please print out material needed:

1. Beginner – NEVER had an accordion on before
   1. 1 PH Bk 1 – Keyboard – Session 1 (Page 1 to 19)
      1. pg 28 – answer questions
   2. Fill out the Theory Book through the Review Pg 3 to 9
2. Intermediate – Chords and 1 Advanced Solo –
   1. Dizzy Fingers page 5 (Last Line)
   2. A Teenager In Love – Sight Reading
   3. Chord Positions All Keys (Corrected link)
3. Teacher – How to relate these ABOVE skills to your students
   1. 1 PH Bk 1 – Workbook Level 1 Session 1
      1. Review pg 1 to 14
      2. Save the Student Worksheets to a Teacher Binder
      3. Video yourself playing the Solos through pg 19 in Student Sessions (Slow and fast)
4. ALL LEVELS – PALMER HUGHES LESSON BOOK 1
5. ALL LEVELS – ALFRED’S ESSENTIALS OF MUSIC THEORY

The largest motivation I have for doing all this – is that there are NOT ENOUGH ACCORDION TEACHERS out there these days – and those that do teach – are hurting for new and modern materials to use. AND here in the USA – there is NO Certification process – for future accordionists OR teachers and no accordion organizations that offers it.

Please have these Books ready:

• Palmer-Hughes Accordion Course, Book 1 & 2 (these will be covered in level 1)
• Alfred’s Essentials of Music Theory: A Complete Self-Study Course for All Musicians $US 39.95 (this will cover Music theory for Certificate Levels 1 & 2)

How do you “satisfy” a session level?
These sessions will be password protected because there is a $30US charge for each Session Level (this could take several 1 hours sessions to cover 1 Session level). I am showing this first session level – so you can get an idea of the intensity of the materials that will be covered. To receive your certificate or plaque – your fees will need to be paid.

• There will be written assignments that are to be turned in!
• There will be playing assignments that you will video yourself and post.
• With these accomplished – you will receive a “PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE“! for that Session Level.
• Those going for the Teacher Certificate – will only have a few more assignments to turn in and you will receive the “MASTER CERTIFICATE“! for that Session Level.
• There are two certificates available. Performance and Master (teacher & Performance)
• WHEN the 10 sessions for that level is accomplished – you will receive a WOODEN PLAQUE denoting the Performance or Master Classification!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Country Song Lyrics with Chord Cues

Tags

Accordion, Accordion Exercises, Accordion lessons, Accordion Sheetmusic, Accordion Solos

Country Song Lyrics with Chord (Bass) Cues

I used to FREAK OUT – when another musician would hand me a lyric sheet with the Chords cued. I had no idea what to play – THEN A LIGHT BULB WENT ON – this is easier than playing the melody – ALL I HAVE TO DO IS PLAY THE CHORDS!!! YEAH!!!

Check Out this Link – http://www.classic-country-song-lyrics.com/

There is more than just Country music here – there is even a large list of Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Everly Brothers, Willie Nelson, and Gospel.

• SOO – Let’s dig out the Chord Chart
• Chord Positions All Keys

Let’s start with an Easy One – Rocky Top

Link – http://www.classic-country-song-lyrics.com/rockytoplyricsandchords.html

G                      C      G               Em              D7           G
Wish that I was on old Rocky Top down in the Tennessee hills
–                        C             G             Em       D7           G
Ain’t no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top ain’t no telephone bills
–                  C          G             Em               D7           G
Once I had a man on Rocky Top half bear the other half cat
–             C            G          Em                  D7               G
Wild as a mink but sweet as soda pop I still dream about that

Em                     D7          F                              C
Rocky Top you’ll always be home sweet home to me
–            G                              F     G                       F     G
Good ole Rocky Top Rocky Top Tennessee Rocky Top Tennessee

1. The letters above the lyrics are the chords you are supposed to play. If there is no symbol after the letter – then you play the MAJOR chord. AND that chord will continue to be the background until it tells you to change. I had to use a “-” to keep the chords in position – it just means to KEEP playing the last chord notated.
2. Listen to the song and establish the beat (4/4 or 3/4?) – Lynn Anderson
3. Sometimes the singer does not sing in the key of the music – so it is hard to play along.
4. WATCH the lyrics as you listen and listen for the chord changes. (Ear Training 101!)
5. It doesn’t matter if you sing or not – you can “sing the words in your head” as you now HOLD the LEFT HAND BASSES
6. NOW – find the beat and play “bass chord bass chord” (don’t forget to alternate and add a few bass solos)
7. Right Hand Chords – Have you found the KEY? It is usually the first and last Chord. If these are different – the LAST CHORD WINS! SO this is KEY OF G!
8. MY RULE – Key of G – Put your PINKY ON G! Go to your CHORD POSITIONS ALL KEYS CHART – and find the G Row. Now practice all the chords that are located in the song – GM – CM – Em – D7 are all on the G ROW – the then find FM. You will only move up or down 1 note!!!
9. NOW – change the chords in the pattern of the lyric sheet – You are now ACCOMPANYING or COMPING – a singer! or participating in a JAM! Don’t forget to play the chords – Block, or Rocking, or Rolling (Search for that exercise!)
10. NOW – you can cheat – and see what it SHOULD look like with the melody! –
11. Link – Rocky Top (new chords)

Now I will tell you – WAY BACK WHEN the song first came out – I LISTENED to the recording and I wrote out a version – that I have been playing since 1970!! (45 years!) and I had NO IDEA that those Em chords were in there!!! SOO I have re-written my arrangement! I learned something today!!!! COOL!

I have now started to CHECK all the lyric sheets for the songs that I am writing for this blog – that I am writing “BY EAR” – so I don’t miss these subtle chord changes.

Now let’s try these and repeat the #1 – #9 above:

• Willie Nelson – On the Road Again – http://www.classic-country-song-lyrics.com/ontheroadagainlyricschords.html
• Link to Accordion Arrangement – On the Road Again Key of C
• Jim Reeves – Whispering Hope – http://www.classic-country-song-lyrics.com/whisperinghopelyricschords.html
• Everly Brothers – Bye Bye Love – http://www.classic-country-song-lyrics.com/byebyelovelyricschords.html
• Charley Pride – Help Me Make it Through the Night – http://www.classic-country-song-lyrics.com/helpmemakeitthroughthenightlyricschords.html
• Elvis – Return to Sender – http://www.classic-country-song-lyrics.com/returntosenderlyricschords.html

Now – I gave you the sheet music to Rocky Top and On the Road Again – the rest – is ON YOU!!! Have fun – this is the ONLY WAY to make yourself LEARN YOUR CHORDS and be able to play the chords “ON THE FLY”

Sept. 2015 – Lesson #13 – Solo – Embellishments

Tags

Accordion, Accordion lessons, Accordion Sheetmusic, Accordion Solos

Monthly Lesson Assignment – Solo – Embellishments

A year ago – I started this accordion blog LESSON ASSIGNMENTS – with the single purpose – to help you PLAY BETTER! No matter what your level. I sincerely have heard from SOOO many of you WORLD WIDE – that I am managing to accomplish my goal – THANK YOU.

NOW – For More Right Hand Work – Level 2!!! How to ADD little things to the melody line that will make the song sound uniquely YOURS!

Here are “FOUR SIMPLE STEPS” to take an ordinary solo – even an extremely simple one and make it a “GOOSE-PIMPLE” Performance!

This month’s lesson will concentrate on #2 – Embellishments to the melody line. I like to use the term PLUMPING – to show that you are FATTENING UP the solo!

1. BASS POWER – reinforcing your bass and left hand knowledge and technique. And then we will gradually move you into more and more complicated patterns and progressions. Please review last years – Plumping up your Bass – Link – Bass Line Plumping
2. MINI-RUNS & TURNS – Ornamentation and Passages (passing phrases). Starting with simple scale patterns and arpeggios and moving on to grace notes, mordents, turns and more.
3. BELLOWS & EXPRESSIONS – and the most forgotten or neglected – Musicality – Dynamics, Bellows, tempos, and what I like to call FLAVOR. Please review last years – Bellow Techinique
4. Knowledge of Chords – Chords are the CORE to all Music! Song Structure, chord progressions, ends, “lead-ins” to next section, and even melody lines are based on chords. One simple way to provide harmony to a melody line is to just add chords. Please review last year – Chord Positions All Keys

 Start with this simple tune

After you have mastered playing the simple tune – Open Plumping link and walk through the examples – one measure at a time –

• Link – Adornos and Pasadas – Example Song
• Link – Adornos and Pasadas – Plumping

1. Line #1 – shows a different “embellishment” you can add – one per measure!
2. Line #2 – takes the same “embellishments” and gives them count value
3. Line #3 – take the next phrase in Cocktail and shows how to add double notes and triples
4. Line #4 – takes the the same phrase in Cocktail and shows other ways to add double notes and other arpeggio ideas
5. Lines #5-#6 – takes the next lines and shows many ways you play them
6. Lines #6 – on the Triplet Arpeggio – use the fingering – 2 on the # or middle note followed by the 1 on the last note in the triplet.
7. Measure #36 in the song – you are now on your own – see what you can add!

Now Apply what you just did to this simple tune in two different keys –

• Cocktail Waltz Key of C
• Cocktail Waltz Key of F

Now Try these techniques on these songs! All Level 1-2 Solos

1. Dark Eyes
2. Westphalia Waltz
3. Waldegger Accordion C
4. Waltz Across Texas

August 2015 – Lesson #12 – Memorization

Tags

Accordion, Accordion lessons, Accordion Solos

How to Memorize

WOW – has it been 1 year!!!! since we started??? My how time flies. In reviewing my lesson topics – I have not addressed Memorization!!! AND I am putting this in the lesson section – NOT THE ARTICLE section – so you WILL SEE IT and hopefully follow the suggestions!!!

I just returned from the ATG (Accordion Teachers Guild) Convention in Chicago and was so impressed with the number of ADULT accordionists that were attending and were competing. So many were using their music when competing – and this cost them points and in some cases – cost them the opportunity to WIN.

AND – those that were playing by memory – were – in some cases – stumbling or for a lack of a better term – doing “RUN ATS” – they would start a section or phrase and run at it a couple of times – which made them lose CONFIDENCE and lose the musical flow of the selection.

When you hit a wrong note – it is INSTINCT to back up and fix it!!! Well – while practicing – YES – but not while PERFORMING! SOOO what happens – is that RUN AT – gets programmed into the PERFORMANCE – and it is NOW SET IN STONE!!!!

SOOO HOW do you get rid of the RUN ATS and LEARN the piece good enough to not need the music??

IT ALL STARTS FROM THE FIRST TIME YOU READ THE SELECTION!

TOP TEN HINTS TO MEMORIZATION (THIS is ALSO the method to LEARN a new song)

1. LISTEN to the song FIRST. AND listen to other songs that are written in the same style or genre. (French, Tango, Latin, etc) Most songs can be found on YouTube. HUM along with what you hear. Record it or save the link. If no audio available – HUM what you see in the music. (DO NOT PLAY YET!!!!) Listen for tempo, dynamics, phrasing, repeated sections, differences in QUALITY (tells you which reeds to use), and if available – listen to more than one recording!
2. Make sure you play the right notes and rhythms. Read the song like you are a FIRST GRADER reading out loud in the class! SLOW – ONE MEASURE at a time until correct. Play that measure until you don’t get it wrong – 4 or 5 times in a row! Write in your fingering if needed. Remember to consider “where” the notes end in the prior phrase and “where” your hand needs to be for the next phrase!
3. Dynamics and Style Setting – LEARN your Dynamics and Rubato sections right along with the notes. Believe it or not – THESE ARE MORE IMPORTANT than the notes!
4. MEMORIZE as you LEARN – Chord Structure FIRST. Know the Key, Know where the Key changes. Know the basic chords within each key and look for the additional chords that are outside the key. THEN learn the order they are used within the song. You should be able to SPEAK the name of the Bass at the beginning of EACH MEASURE!
5. GROUP the measures into phrases – 2 bars, 4 bars – NEVER more than 8 bars. AND practice the phrase (and mark in your bellow directions – so you learn your bellows at the same time as the notes!)
6. Repetition of #2-3-4-5 exercises – will CREATE FINGER MEMORY!!! You will count on this when the song is memorized. NEVER MEMORIZE NOTES – ONLY MEMORIZE the finger movement within a phrase! (This is also – with SPEAKING the name of the basses for each measure!)
7. DROP THE NEEDLE – for those of you that remember a record player – you should be able to start from ANY POINT within the song. As you learn the song – VISUALIZE the measure (notes and all) and the actual measure number!!!! Do NOT rely solely on the FINGER MEMORY from the Phrase exercise!
8. WORK SMART not HARD! Do not OVER practice! Start your practice session with warm up drills for technique then “tackle” only one section – maybe 16 bars – per 1 hour of practice! Go work on something else – then return to the solo to be memorized. Repeat this the next 1 hour session with an adjoining section of 16 bars – then put the two together.
9. Progressively BUILD LIKE A HOUSE. Foundation is laid first – the technique drills to insure performance clarity. 2nd – Frame – Know your Chord Structure. 3rd – Room Layout – know your MOOD, PHRASING, STYLE, and DYNAMICS (even set your bellows here!), 4th – Walls – NOW your notes – in short phrases UNDER TEMPO, 5th – ROOF – Performance Ready.
10. Performance Ready. How will you know when you are ready to perform the song by memory? Give yourself – a TEST OF 3!!!
    1. #1 – Can you play it flawless, with correct bellows, and dynamics – UNDER TEMPO? No RUN ATS, No Clinkers, No goofed bellows or forgotten shift changes (with a metronome if needed).
    2. #2 – Have you recorded (audio and/r video) yourself at least 3 or more times and analyzed your performance to see weak areas?. Check recording against a metronome to see if you slowed down or sped up!
    3. #3 – Can you start the song at any phrase within the song? (4 to 16 measure section?)

One final Hint – if the song is more than 2 pages long – I suggest learning it BACKWARDS. Learn the last phrase first, then the last 2 phrases, then the last 3 phrases – this will give your ending MUCH MORE PRACTICE than the beginning – and make your CONFIDENCE GROW during a performance – rather than WILT!!!

and an assignment!

Let’s LEARN and MEMORIZE a NEW SONG – Great for your Repertoire!

Level 1 Que Sera, Sera

Level 2 – Hey Mann Polka

Level 3 – La Partida – Tango Vals

Level 4 – Trumpet Echo Level 3 (Trumpet Echo)

Pick One – and follow the 10 steps above. These should be memorized within 4 weeks – with 1 hour practice of 8 to 16 measure sections per day.

---

LESSON REVIEW:

Here is a quick review of the past months’ lessons – so you can do a quick review – if you have not been following the MONTHLY LESSON LINK!

• Lesson #1 – Sept 2014 – Introduction to Play Chords ONLY!
• Lesson #2 – Oct. 2014 – Chords – Modulating, & Progressions
• Lesson #3 – Nov. 2014 – Intro to Ear Training – Chord Progressions Intro
• Lesson #4 – Dec. 2014 – Dexterity & Finger Articulation (someone else)
• Lesson #5 – Jan. 2015 – Dexterity & Finger Articulation (mine)
• Lesson #6 – Feb. 2015 – Counting – 6/8 (Compound Meter)
• Lesson #7 – March 2015 – Setting Benchmarks and Goals
• Lesson #8 – April 2015 – Writing Assignment – Basic Music Theory
• Lesson #9 – May 2015 – “It’s All About that Bass”
• Lesson #10 – June 2015 – Pull Dem’ Bellows
• Lesson #11 – July 2015 – Adding Harmony

July 2015 – Lesson #11 – Adding Harmony

Tags

Accordion Exercises, Accordion lessons, Accordion Sheetmusic, Accordion Solos

How to ADD harmony notes under Melody notes

I should have already beat you up enough about learning how to build your chords. Until now – I have shown you how to add an accompaniment chord rhythm to someone else playing melody – NOW let’s add these same chords UNDER the melody line.

GENERAL RULES (to start):

1. Never play a harmony note above the melody line except:
   1. if adding a rhythmic chord pattern or
   2. the end of a phrase or section
2. ADD at least the ONE note that defines the chord for that measure or count
   1. Example – DM – at least add the F#, or C7 – at least the Bb, Gm – at least the Bb, etc.
3. Melody line will probably always be played with your 3-4-5 fingers – allowing the 1 & 2 to grab the chord notes underneath.
4. On note movement – look for opportunity to play 3rds or 6ths – either above or below melody (yes exception to rule #1!) – Everly Brothers, Righteous Brothers, & Bee Gees – all harmonized a 3rd or 6th above melody!

Harmony 101 – I have picked these simple lead line songs (alot of these – sent to me by Dr. Sissons) – to get you started on adding notes to your melody lines.

OPEN for Reference – Chord Positions All Keys

LINK – to Lesson – Harmony – Adding Harmony Notes

• When Irish eyes are smiling (CM)
• Santa Lucia (CM)
• Beautiful Dreamer (CM)
• Vieni sul Mar (Italian) (CM)
• Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue (CM)
• Greensleeves (Am)
• Star of the County Down (English) (Am)

• Happy Birthday lead line (FM)
• Sous les ponts de Paris (Under the Brides of Paris) (FM)

• O Sole Mio (GM)
• For he’s a jolly good fellow (GM)
• Sleeping Beauty Waltz (GM)
• Autumn leaves (Em)

Harmony 201 – Now jump up to level 3 – and try these:

• Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me (CM)
• Who’s Sorry Now (BbM)
• Mona Lisa (FM)

LESSON REVIEW:

Here is a quick review of the past months’ lessons – so you can do a quick review – if you have not been following the MONTHLY LESSON LINK!

• Lesson #1 – Sept 2014 – Introduction to Play Chords ONLY!
• Lesson #2 – Oct. 2014 – Chords – Modulating, & Progressions
• Lesson #3 – Nov. 2014 – Intro to Ear Training – Chord Progressions Intro
• Lesson #4 – Dec. 2014 – Dexterity & Finger Articulation (someone else)
• Lesson #5 – Jan. 2015 – Dexterity & Finger Articulation (mine)
• Lesson #6 – Feb. 2015 – Counting – 6/8 (Compound Meter)
• Lesson #7 – March 2015 – Setting Benchmarks and Goals
• Lesson #8 – April 2015 – Writing Assignment – Basic Music Theory
• Lesson #9 – May 2015 – “It’s All About that Bass”
• Lesson #10 – June 2015 – Pull Dem’ Bellows

June 2015 – Lesson #10 – Pull Dem’ Bellows

Tags

Accordion, Accordion lessons

June 2015 – Lesson #9 – Pull Dem’ Bellows

I have a lot of Bellow technique exercises on this site and “SNEAKY ME” I can tell that by the pages that are being hit – that you ARE NOT DOING YOUR BELLOW EXERCISES!

So – here is a quick review of the past months’ lessons – so you can do a quick review – if you have not been following the MONTHLY LESSON LINK!

• Lesson #1 – Sept 2014 – Introduction to Play Chords ONLY!
• Lesson #2 – Oct. 2014 – Chords – Modulating, & Progressions
• Lesson #3 – Nov. 2014 – Intro to Ear Training – Chord Progressions Intro
• Lesson #4 – Dec. 2014 – Dexterity & Finger Articulation (someone else)
• Lesson #5 – Jan. 2015 – Dexterity & Finger Articulation (mine)
• Lesson #6 – Feb. 2015 – Counting – 6/8 (Compound Meter)
• Lesson #7 – March 2015 – Setting Benchmarks and Goals
• Lesson #8 – April 2015 – Writing Assignment – Basic Music Theory
• Lesson #9 – May 2015 – “It’s All About that Bass”
• Lesson #10 – June 2015 – Pull Dem’ Bellows

Review these posted articles:

• Intro to Bellow Technique – Reed Response
• Bellow Technique – Phrasing
• Bellow Technique – Movement
• Bellow Shake 101 (Intro)

NOW – here is an additional Bellow Exercise for you to review and LEARN!

Bellow Technique: Accents

Until now, the bellow technique taught – has been designed to keep a smooth flow to your bellows – going at all times. Stopping them COMPLETELY at the end of phrases – to encourage the styling of Rubato and to increase the chance you will “Cresendo” into a phrase and “Diminuendo” out of a phrase.

NOW I am going to tell you to be JERKY!!!!

Accents are the hardest to pull off properly – especially on the IN BELLOWS!

There are more than one kind of Accent – Please see this link to HEAR the difference.

http://dictionary.onmusic.org/terms/4799-accent

In this diagram from their website – I DISAGREE!!!

They say SHORT – and that is the Heavier of the two Short and Long. The Long is the LIGHTER of the two accents. (Please reverse what they are showing!)

ALSO – the “detached” accent is notated as a staccato – AGAIN – the UNMARKED PHRASED notes is played Detached – which is longer than a staccato! Staccato is “light and crisp! The Legato Line – means to hold the note for it’s fullest value – then separate from the next note.

On the accordion – we do NOT NEED to STRIKE the key any harder to attain an accent like a piano does. We need to add a POP in the bellow flow. (I hate the word JERK!!) CORRECTION – Michael Bridge at the ATG July 2015 – said acoustically – the “hitting or heavier strike of the keys – DOES add to the POP of the Accent! – Somthing to do with the JARRING to LIFE of the REEDS! Try it – I now agree with him!

1. Hold a C Major chord in the right hand and play a 4/4 pattern CM bass
2. On the 1st and 3rd count (the bass) – add a “wrist down stroke” – just like you learned in the bellow shake example. THIS is OUT BELLOWS
3. Do the Same for the IN BELLOWS – but add a “wrist UP STROKE”
4. The flow of the bellows should NOT STOP – continue in or out.
5. Use a SLIGHT down stroke or POP or up stroke POP – AGAIN UP OR DOWN –
6. DO NOT ADD pressure on the bass strap with your wrist!!!
7. Increase the intensity of the down or up stroke POP for the heavier accent.
8. If you Strike the Right Hand NOTE at the same time as the accent – you can achieve a stronger accent.
9. Then the RELEASE of the Right Hand Note dictates if it is a short or long accent!

Here are some more in the accent family.

BONUS – an article with an exercise – I wrote for an Accordion Club

Squeezin May 2015 – Bellow Phrasing

“It’s All About That Bass” – May 2015 – Lesson #9

Tags

Accordion, Accordion Sheetmusic, Accordion Solos, Practice tips

May 2015 – Lesson #9 – Intro to Counterbasses

There is nothing MORE CONVENIENT on the accordion – than the fact that we have a counterbass row!!! This enables us to play really cool bass solos – and arpeggios – with little effort.

You already should have learned that our basses are arranged in 5ths. This means that the bass above C – is 5 notes away on the C scale. AND the bass above G is 5 notes away on the G Scales (etc). It is commonly called the Circle of Fifths – and our basses are laid out that way.

NOW – knowing that we have the 1st and the 5th notes right next to each other – all we need now it the 3rd tone of the scale – and we have the MAJOR CHORD! (1-3-5 of the Major Scale)

SOOO – the COUNTERBASS row IS THAT 3RD tone!!! What could be easier! When I was 7 or 8 – I figured out that I did not need to learn the major chords – my accordion basses – TOLD ME THE NAMES!!!

This exercise – steps you simply through a few basses with counterbasses and alternate basses – using both Major Chords and 7th Chords.

Link – Intro to Counterbasses

NOW – Have some fun and play a song – using this simple Modified Boogie Bass

Link – The Twist level 2.5