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 Accordion music is experiencing a revival right now; many people are once again taking up the instrument.Â
There are so many makes and models to pick from, it is hard to know what to do when choosing an accordion for a beginner.
Start by thinking about what type of beginner you are buying for. Here are five considerations that may affect your choice:
1. Musical Interest. Will the student show dedication to studying music or does it seem to be a passing fad? If you are not sure about the length of time you or your child will maintain an interest in the study of this instrument, then one of your major considerations will be price. Simple concertinas are relatively inexpensive and easy to learn. Used accordions are also easy to find on the Internet for reasonable prices.
2. Prior musical training. Does the student already play another instrument? A person who already knows how to play a keyboard instrument will have a head start learning to play an accordion. The keyboard will already be familiar and the basses are arranged in an easy-to-learn sequence. A forty-eight bass is considered a good instrument for beginners, although boxes are available with as few as twelve basses and twenty-six treble keys, and as many as 120 basses and a forty-one key keyboard.
3. Portability and size. If the beginner wants to join a band (especially a marching band) then some consideration must be given to his ability to carry the instrument. Trying it on for a moment won't tell the wearer much. Something that feels light for a moment won't seem that way after ten blocks of marching while continuously working the bellows.
4. Ease of Action. If the beginner has a polka or traditional Irish dance band in mind, then he will spend many an evening playing music that is lively and demands fast action. The Dancemaster accordion is recommended as a brand that is good for beginners because of both its sound quality and ease of action. Accordion players develop both musical skill and cardiovascular fitness as they learn their instrument. Beginners need to buy one that isn't physically above their ability to handle.
5. Ask the Teacher. If you already have a teacher in mind, then do ask him or her to recommend a brand. The teacher is most likely knowledgeable about many different models. In addition, the instructor might have a particular type of box that he feels most comfortable with. The quality of instruction will certainly be higher if he likes the accordion he is teaching on.
An accordion is a lot of fun. It is so versatile that there are many opportunities to play. These instruments are associated with lively music and good times, and most beginners will soon be happy they decided to learn it. There are a lot of boxes available that will still serve the player well for many years after he has passed the novice stage.
Many professional or highly-skilled amateur performers still keep their original beginners' boxes to play on occasion. Choosing an accordion for a beginner is a serious task because you may be picking out a companion for a lifetime. |
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