New Posts for June 2016

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Accordion, Accordion Sheetmusic, Accordion Solos

Archive of Songs Posted in June

WOW – where has the month gone? We are past Silver Falls Accordion Camp, past Leavenworth Accordion Celebration – and now on to AAA and ATG in July – and Las Vegas in Aug.

Before you know it – the Accordion Cruise will be here!! Be sure and SIGN UP NOW!!! We still have cabins available!!

 

These songs have been added to the Accordion Blog – Since the last email broadcast.

1. Ambiance Musettienne, page 2
   1. Ambiance Musettienne, page 1
2. Anantango accordion duet sent in by Alan Sissons
3. Are You Lonesome Tonight? 1960
4. Crying in the Chapel 1965
5. Donna 1959
6. Fairest Lord Jesus
7. Farewell Polka (Grand March)
8. Freely, Freely (Sacred)
9. Holy is Your Name by Mark Haas
10. Krakoujak 1stpg1 (Polish Polka Duet)
    • Krakoujak1stpg2
    • Krakoujak2ndpg1
    • Krakoujak2ndpg2
11. Let it Be Me – 1960
12. Musetta’s waltz song from La Boheme sent by Alan Sissons
13. O Sole Mio 1stpg1 (Duet)
    • OSoleMio1stpg2
    • OSoleMio2ndpg1
    • OSoleMio2ndpg2
14. Preludio e fuga accordion duet sent in by Alan Sissons
15. Prologue from Pagliacci (Level 5!) sent in by Alan Sissons
16. Soleil Lead Line
17. Tinikling (Philippine Bamboo Dance) DUET
18. Valse Chinoise (French)

Articles:

1. Where’s That Darn C Bass!
2. Everything ELVIS!
3. NEW! LIVE Bi-Weekly Lesson – Session 1B
4. NEW! LIVE B-Weekly Lesson – Session 1C (I will be redoin this one Sunday July 3rd 7 pm Central Time

 

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NEW! LIVE Bi-Weekly Lesson – Session 1C

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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

Donna by Ritchie Valens

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Valen’s last Hit before his death in Feb. 1959

Valens’ Donna was positioned at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart when Valens died. Three weeks after Valens’ death, the song peaked at #2.

I hate to date myself – but I REMEMBER hearing about the plane crash on the radio – sitting in my kitchen when I was 10 years old! It was more noted that the BIG BOPPER and Buddy Holly  – also died in the crash! That event has become known as “The Day the Music Died” because it is so called in Don McLean’s 1971 song “American Pie”.

Link – Donna

Reading Exercise: I am calling this a Level 3 – it has triples, is counted using SWING TIME – and has a few “scale runs” that all use the same fingering!!!!

The song is originally written in 12/8 – and I wrote in 4/4 using triples to make it easier. SOOO – when you see a Dotted 8th followed by a 16 note – you will play it like a triplet – with the first 2 notes of the triplet tied together – like in the example!

Measure 5 – count 3 – is the best example!                                                          When you are counting – just SAY “TRI – PO – Let” for each of the 3 counts of the triplet! AND if you are having further problems – start by NOT playing the ties – lift each note – so you are sure you are hitting the correct count!

So the first two measures would count this way (without the ties):

One    tri po let   tripo  let    four (then tie the last “let” to the “four”)

tripo  let     tri  po  let     Three(four) (then tie the first “let” to the next “tri”) – UNDERLINED!

About the Song:

“Donna” is a song sung by Ritchie Valens, featuring the 50s progression I IV V7 I. The song was released in 1958 on Del-Fi Records. It reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart the following year, becoming Valens’ highest-charting single. It was written as a tribute to his high school sweetheart Donna Ludwig.

The song was notably covered by Los Lobos for the soundtrack to the 1987 film La Bamba which portrayed the life story of Ritchie Valens. Donna”, the second Ritchie Valens single released, was the A side of the influential and more famous song “La Bamba”.

Richard Steven Valenzuela (May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959), was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.

Oberkrainer Style of Playing

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Slavko Avsenik and his Oberkrainer Style

I was asked to explain the style of accompaniment that Avsenik uses – that is so unique and is named the “Oberkrainer Style.” YES – YOU NEED to know this – all the polka bands are using this! On Polkas AND Waltzes!!

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0r98Frow2M&nohtml5=False

I can NOT understand a word this guy is saying – BUT – he has a fantastic demonstration of how to play the Oberkrainer Style!

NOW – follow these songs (already Posted) and play chords only in this style!

• Zillertaller Schurzenjager 1st Solo
• Trumpet Echo Level 3 (European Version)

Ciel d’automne (Irish Fiddle Tune)

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Ciel d’automne (Irish Fiddle Tune) by Andre Brunet

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day – a lovely SLOW Irish Tune – please LISTEN to the You Tube Link – and you will fall in love with it too!!!

When you listen – watch where she puts the grace notes & turns – and how she does them – there are:

• “Turns” – the given note – go up a scale tone and then back quickly (Inverted mordent) OR the given note – go down a scale tone and then back quickly (Mordent)
• Grace Notes – start with the half step below the given note or start with the half step above the given note
• Click this link for Examples

Listen – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLzkQq_dNkU

Ciel d’autumne (D)

About the Song:

This tune was written by the talented André Brunet from Québéc. He is a famous fiddler. He plays in a band called De Temps Antan and they are fabulous.

 

Learn Your m6 Chord

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Summertime – From Porge & Bess – 1960 Grammy Best Movie Soundtrack

This is a beautiful song – nice and slow and REALLY depends on the movement of the m6th chords. Here are a few TRICKS to identify the 6th tone of any chord ON THE FLY!

1. In any key – the M6 NOTE is the note 1 whole step above the 5th of the Major Chord = i.e. In CM – it is A – one step above the G (CEG) and in AM – it is F# – one step above the E (AC#E)
2. OR – the M6 NOTE is the actual 6th tone of that scale!
3. In any key – the m6 NOTE – is the SAME NOTE AS IN THE M6
4. In any key – the minor NOTE – is the 3rd tone of the Major Chord – down 1/2 step
5. NOW – the full M6 Chord is the Major Chord with the 6th tone added (1356)
6. NOW – the full m6 Chord is the Minor Chord with the 6th toe added (13b56)

Does this make sense?????

In Summertime – you will use the same ADDED NOTES just about all the way through!

1. Am6 – spelled – 1A 3C 5E 6F#  (C# is the normal note in a Major Chord)
2. Bm6 – spelled – 1B 3D 5F# 6G# (D# is the normal note in a Major Chord)
3. Cm6 – spelled – 1C 3Eb 5G 6A (E is the normal note in a Major Chord)

How to add these chords and create “movement” and texture”.

1. Because this is a JAZZY SONG – we are going for 3 added notes – below the melody note! (normally only 2)
2. Never add notes above melody – unless rhythmic additions
3. Measure #2 & 3 – the melody note is E or movement between D-C-D E.
4. Am6 – 1A 3C 5E 6F# – E is Melody note!
   
5. Bm6 – 1B 3D 5F# 6G# – I could have kept the F# – but I like the sound of the movement to the G#
6. IF 3 notes are TOO MANY – then at least add the tone that is the 6th! because your left hand will do the Major or the Minor chord for you!

NOW – there are 4 more chords in the next line – Dm7, E7 F7 & E7+9 (E9)

1. Dm7 – spelled – 1D 3F 5A 7C (this is dominate 7th – down 1/2 step from 7th tone in the scale
2. E7 – spelled 1E 3G# 5B 7D
3. F7 – spelled 1F 3A 5C 7Eb
4. E7+9 (E9) – spelled 1E 3G# 5B 7D + 9F# (E9 is the dominate 7th PLUS #9)

Measure #7 – I had to keep the chords UNDER the moving notes

Lead Line – Summertime Lead Line

Full Chord Arrangement – Summertime full chords

Link – Hear Dr Sissons perform this arrangement

I have given you the chords – NOW YOU roll them and create leading runs and embellishments!

Trick to Chords!

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Trick to Learning and Playing RH Chords

Now that I have your attention – there really is NO TRICK!

• Was there a trick to learning to read your notes on the staff? YES – you learned the notes on the Lines then the Spaces.
• Was there a trick to playing clean and fast? YES – you practiced scales, speed drills, Hanon exercises, and worked for “evenly” articulated sections until perfected.
• Was there a trick to learning a solo by memory? YES – you worked by sections and built each part from the “Bass & Chord” structure upward to the chords – then the melody!
• SOOO is there a trick to learning to play chords? YES – you learn the notes within the chords for EACH KEY SIGNATURE – with minimum movement of your hand position by starting with playing chords only to simple 3 chord songs.

I have a student that wants to play along with a vocalist – so this is dedicated to YOU – STEVE. AND of course like any other student – he wants to be able to do this NOW – and wants to start with some pretty hard key signature songs….SOOO here is how I am showing him to do it.

1. Find the song on http://www.YouTube.com by various artists and LISTEN to the movement of the chords and the instrumental accompaniment (embellishments and rhythmic patterns)
2. Find the LYRICS ONLY to the song through a search engine on the Internet – and the chords with be cued above the words and establish the Key and practice the line for that key – using this Chart – Chord Positions All Keys
3. Find the lead line or piano sheet music for the song that has the chords cued and practice moving between the chords – by JUST HOLDING THE CHORDS.
4. ONCE the chords are learned – now start to do something with the chords – Like Blocking them rhythmically, Rocking them, Rolling them – see these links for more ideas.

See LINK – 10 Rules for Playing Chords only for accompanying a vocalist

Now – let’s start: Those Were the Day Key of Bb (Gm)

Start by learning JUST THE CHORDS – Key of Gm – Put 5th finger on G – and find all these chords – with the noted fingering (triads or 3 notes are played for these chords)

• Gm – Spelled – GBbD – Play (5G 2D 1Bb)
• G7 – Spelled – GBDF – Play – (4F 2D 1B) always include the 7th note
• Cm – Spelled – CEbG – Play – (5G 3Eb 1C)
• A7 – Spelled – AC#EG – Play – (5G 3E 1C#) always include the 7th note
• D7 – Spelled – DF#AC – Play (4F# 2D 1C) always include the 7th note
• FM – Spelled – FAC – Play (5A 3F 1C)
• F7 – Spelled – FACE – Play (5A 2E 1C) always include the 7th note
• A#(BbM) – Spelled – BbDF – Play (4F 2F 1Bb)

NOW Find the Gm chord and hold it. Then move to next chord – G7, then move to Cm etc. You will start to see that there is usually one note that is common between each chord or the chord only moves one note up or down!

Gm
Once upon a time, there was a tavern
G7                                Cm
Where we used to raise a glass or two
                                 Gm
Remember how we laughed away the hours,
A7                                    D7
Think of all the great things we would do

               Gm
Those were the days, my friend
                  Cm
We thought they'd never end
              F        F7         A#
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
              Cm
We'd live the life we'd choose
               Gm
We'd fight and never lose
            D7                         Gm
For we were young and sure to have our way

D7       Gm
La La La La La La La La
Cm
La La La La La La
      D7                   Gm
La La La La La La La La La La

After you have mastered MOVING between the chords – Now look at the exercises above for Blocking, Rocking, & Rolling the chords.

CHEAT – here is the entire song in the key of Gm. – Link – Those Were The Days Solo Gm

10 Rules When Accompanying a Vocalist

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Accordion, Accordion Exercises, Practice tips

Playing Chords only for accompanying a vocalist

There is nothing MORE FUN – than playing for a vocalist!!! So many musicians – really have a hard time understanding what to play – so that the vocalist – is featured!

The 1st two rules here – has to do with FREEING you up – so that you “compliment” the vocalist – and keep the accompaniment progressive and the chords easy to find and deliver!

1. Find the Key and put your 5th (4th if it is a black note) on the Name of the Key
2. Find your Major chords and 7th chords and minor chords that on the KEY line on the Chord Positions All Keys chart – and DON’T MOVE more than 1 note up or down on the keyboard – ALL YOUR CHORDS WILL BE UNDER YOUR HAND!
3. NEVER WALK ON THE VOCALIST – don’t play the melody when the singer is singing. The singer will NEVER sing right on the beat and will never sing the exact pitched note of the melody!!! You are there for BODY and COLOR!!!
4. After a vocal break – ALWAYS LEAD the singer to their starting note for the next section – with a 7th chord to the next Major Chord or a “scale” lead in. (Scaling for Comping)
5. At the end of a vocal phrase or on a long vocal note – don’t let there be DEAD AIR! “DOODLE” on the chord – do an arpeggio, mini scale, Block rhythmically, Roll arpeggio etc.
6. ALWAYS LISTEN to original recording – for “DOODLE” ideas.
7. ALWAYS – create an intro – so the vocalist can ZERO IN – to the key and their starting note. (i.e. Last 4 measures of song or last phrase of chorus)
8. Plan for an instrumental break – either you take the 2nd and 4th trip through – playing the melody or create an improvisation – built on the chord structure.
9. Plan for a Key Change on the last Verse – there is nothing more powerful than to STEP UP THE KEY by 1/2 step or full whole step – for the last verse. This can be done by simply HOLDING the 7th Chord for the New Key on the last 2 counts before the change!
10. ALWAYS – Face the vocalist, make eye contact with the vocalist, interact with the vocalist – and by all means – DON’T OVER SHADOW the vocalist – THEY ARE THE STAR! The audience will “follow” your body language – and “look” where you are looking!!

Country Song Lyrics with Chord Cues

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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”

Debra Peters – Instructional Accordion DVDs

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Accordion, Accordion Exercises, Accordion lessons

Debra Peters – Accordion Educational DVDs

Debra Peters has made 3 exceptional DVDs – that will walk you through many aspects of playing the accordion with a HEAVY CONCENTRATION on basses! I get so many requests for DVDs – because YOU want to SEE what you are learning and there are so FEW out there!!! Especially for Basses!

DEBRA PETERS … Performs and teaches accordion, piano & voice in Austin Texas and her band – LOVE SAINTS plays … a variety of blues, roots-rockin’, zydeco, cajun, western swing, western swamp, train beats & classic country music.

Personal Note: Debra and I have been friends for years. We are both CRAZY LADIES that love the accordion. I have had her conduct workshops for my music studio and AND her Blues Session at the Honors Accordion Retreat held this past Nov. 2015 was a FANTASTIC!

http://www.debrapetersmusic.com/DVDs.html

The one I recommend the most is Debra’s ABCs of ACCORDION Basic 25 BASS PATTERNS DVD. Debra shows you how to add some really cool bass patterns to different style music and she includes a booklet with all the patterns written out!

And with the booklet – there are actually 36 bass patterns total!!

Notated in BASS CLEF for you to read and play, or put on the DVD so you can play along with the teacher! Hours of fun!
Price: $39.95 free shipping USA.

 

ABCs of ACCORDION Basic Vol. 1

Vol.1 includes the 5 most common BASS patterns for LEFT HAND buttons and Debra’s “easy” I-IV-V chords…  Zero in on the BLUES SCALE notes.

Play accordion using roots Blues & Gospel chord progressions. This power-packed hour-long DVD offers more than the blues.

The DVD provides info. and basic rhythm patterns for several music styles: Folk, Americana,Tex-Mex, Country, Cajun, Zydeco, Mardi-Gras, Waltzes, Polka, and more. Price: $29.95 free shipping USA.

ABCs of ACCORDION Basic Vol. 2

Vol. 2 digs a little deeper into the depths of the Bass Patterns for the 120 bass accordion. Walking Bass, Playing Thirds, LH Major Scale, “4-note” Triads, 1-5-1-1-Song endings, 1-6m-4-5 progressions, Cajun Progression 1-5-5-1, playing in the key of A and more. Price: $29.95 free shipping USA.