Alex Meixner Teaches Cory Pesaturo to Polka

Alex Meixner, Grammy-nominated accordionist and polka renaissance man meets up with Cory Pesaturo, international digital and jazz accordion champion, but not a polka man. For about 40 minutes last spring, amidst some good-natured ribbing, Alex breaks down some of the different styles of accordion playing in polka music with one of the greatest living accordionists.

[@ruth540]

6am, drunk, Irish me is here and enjoying away. Definitely gotta get back into playing after watching this!!

[@alexmeixner]

LOL! Cmon and jam!! Drunk or sober- it's all good!

[@MixedGears]

Very nice playing guys. Greetings from Slovenia. Yeah, Avsenik is definitely our local hero :)

[@alexmeixner]

Hvala Lepa!

[@babybloc]

That’s really cool to see teaching between traditions like that

[@gabriellearboleda1985]

What a joy to watch and listen to these two masters!

[@IsaacJohnson2]

You 2 have so much knowledge and talent. It was so fun to see this, thanks for sharing.

[@alexmeixner]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gameshowfan2001]

Two of the best!

[@Harmonikaklange]

This is amazing seeing this two geniuses learning from each other!

[@alexmeixner]

This was an absolute blast to put together... I always learn when I perform and jam with Cory and it was fun to get to do something out of his normal repertoire.

[@paulr6127]

Wow! Just- Wow! I’ve never been drawn to Polka music but I could listen to you Alex, for hours on end! Your teaching/coaching style is so comfortable to actually pay attention to. You’re starting to reset my motivation to practice more often. MUCH more often! Thank you. 👏👏👏❤️👏👏👏 (Can’t believe this took soooooo long to make it into my YT feed)

[@alexmeixner]

Thanks for the kind words-- I find that when we get into any form of music there are subtleties that open up so many worlds of intricate style points... there are idiomatic qualities that can show up in even the most complex musical genres that allow them to be conceived as repetitive or boring to people... as a performer and teacher, I try to unlock what it is that attracts us to a genre/ form and then use that as a bridge to other genres/ forms that we might not already think we like... Obviously we all have our own musical likes and dislikes, but as long as we find a way to genuinely respect the work other musicians put into their music we're finding a good path!! Hope to meet ya down the road... I am doing online accordion lessons through my patreon page-- www.patreon.com/alexmeixner Please check it out if you're interested! alex

[@CashMopar]

Thanks guys! Saw you both last summer!

[@alfie5206]

I really enjoyed listening and watching these two professionals play it out. The interaction and energy is so contagious. I wish I could be just half as good as this due. At 72 years of age, I am playing my 60 year old Hohner 96 bass and I don't come close to this level. Got my accordion brand new at age 12.

[@alexmeixner]

At every age in our journey, the magic of music to inspire and entertain and help us learn is so awesome. As long as you're enjoying your journey and finding inspiration to move forward be proud my friend!

[@ThePolka]

That was so good, I had to come back and see it again. You two are truly GREAT!!!!

[@alexmeixner]

Thanks again! We'll have to do some more work together.

[@ryano.5149]

Two exceptional accordionists for sure! I love all the good tips conveyed here!

[@alexmeixner]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@papitoredmusic1]

Man, these guys are awesome. Reminds me of those "Norteños" in Mexico with their diatonic accordions, especially when you hit that magical F# half step bass changes notes in 11:30. Cool vibes in that polka. 🎉 Congratulations

[@alexmeixner]

Thank you!!

[@michaelgage321]

Enjoyed this so much, what an education for all of us! Fantastic playing 👏👏👏

[@alexmeixner]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@seagypsy574]

Love you both! See you in August

[@way2gomusic]

great vid! just picking up the accordeon again..this is inspiring! So cool to see two musicians exchanging ideas and inspiring each other...

[@alexmeixner]

This was a real fun meeting to see Cory, who is a great master musician approaching music that he hasn't played before...

[@vernonadams1536]

I don’t play polka or listen to polka, but I really enjoyed watching this lesson and the theory discussion.

[@alexmeixner]

That's the idea behind this little session... Cory doesn't play much polka music at all- but like every genre of music, there are intricacies in melodic, harmonic and rhythmic concepts that can open up new interpretations and appreciations. Thanks for checking it out!

[@victoryfirst2878]

I am amazed to the knowledge you possess of squeeze box music. Look forward to see you play this year. Doing a real nice job working with fellow accordionist. Have a safe year fellas.

[@alexmeixner]

Thank you for your kind words-- and hope to see ya out on the road somewhere!! It was a real blast sitting down with Cory on this stuff... I love sharing and learning!

[@victoryfirst2878]

@@alexmeixner Peace fella.

[@mellowords]

Alex, Kevin in PA said I should check you out. Your playing and energy is soooo top notch!! Huge fan. When you play, you put it All In and that feel is deep

[@alexmeixner]

Thanks for enjoying! I do my best to go all in always!

[@mariogrilli97]

Old Mazurka, Polka and Tarantella, Pizzica, Reel, Jig are my Styles! my choices! hehehehehehehe congratulations to both of you, greetings from The Pianist and Accordionist on board the ship in the Mediterranean Mr. Mario Grilli! :) Bye Bye and Happy Music!

[@alexmeixner]

It's always fun to explore all the different musical styles that define our instrument! Happy travels!

[@gregorseverkar1734]

Na avtocesti-great playing-wish you all best from Slovenia

[@johnmahler5087]

Love it!!!! 💕💕Lots of Information 👍👍

[@alexmeixner]

Glad you liked it!!

[@orchestrator21]

That's amazing two different styles of the bellow shake. one horizontal and one vertical. nice playing dudes.

[@alexmeixner]

The purpose of the bellow shake within the context of a Polish polka band is as a part of the rhythm section- therefore the consistency of the accents is generally achieved through the horizontal motion, in contrast to the traditional accordion teaching of vertical shakes for the effect.

[@ThePolka]

Fun video by two Experts. Thank you

[@alexmeixner]

Thank you very much!

[@tonyperko7332]

Great stuff guys!

[@alexmeixner]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@BellowsSqueezer]

What a great lesson💕 Especially chord voicing and bellows technique. 👍❤️

[@alexmeixner]

Thanks! I appreciate being able to discuss these styles in a musical context. :)

[@rmjunoify]

This is so cool...! But after watching you guys, I think I'll sell my accordian and take up playing Cow Bell... wow! Awesome stuff boys!!

[@alexmeixner]

Glad you enjoyed it-- we're all students and working on making it better... Would love to hear ya play too!

[@rmjunoify]

@@alexmeixner thank you sir! My Dad always told me, if you want to get better at something, surround yourself with the most knowledgeable people and those that are the best at their craft. My accordian heros are you, Cory and Kevin Solecki, so I think I've got some pretty good mentors, lol!! Thanks Alex!

[@thomasr3805]

Alex eats sleeps and lives polka. Love the Alex Meixner Faust Polka Pilsner:) Cool to see you break down the polka techniques!

[@alexmeixner3831]

Thanks for the kind words and support!!! Can’t wait to get back to new braunfels and replenish my supply of the polka pils!!!

[@leaccordion]

Fantastico!! I'm really excited listening to this exceptional jam session. Actually it's beyond jam, it's an instructional video. This is sharing in its purest form, no ego, just fun, happy and definitely an eye opener for any accordionist nay sayer against polkas. Accordion Polkas have been ridiculed long enough. Long live the POLKA!! Splendid Duo. I'm going to brush up on a few polkinettas myself. Beautiful video. Thank you guys.

[@alexmeixner3831]

Leo Vinetti thank you for the kind words. That is the intention of this video. Hope we can do more of this kind of stuff.

[@jonstein6868]

What fun!🎶😃

[@connieb3657]

Love love love this!

[@alexmeixner]

Thank you-- it was a lot of fun!

[@pjmaisie]

This is great stuff!

[@ssgiddyup]

I'm guessing most of those gigs cancelled. I've been running across this video every now and then but don't watch because... 40 minutes! I finally watched and it is so great in hearing the different styles as well as the different sounds of each accordion. I'm such a newbie I'll be trying to learn this for a while.

[@ssgiddyup]

Btw, I'm Sheryl from San Antonio. I forget my ID isn't my name.

[@alexmeixner3831]

Thanks for enjoying. Miss ya buddy. Stay safe and hope we can all be together again sometime soon!

[@kmosh2]

I love the song 29mins, so awesome!!

[@kmosh2]

whats the name of that song?

[@alexmeixner]

Auf Der Autobahn (Na Avtocesti) written by Slavko and Vilko Avsenik. Glad you like it!

[@kmosh2]

@@alexmeixner thanks so much!

[@kmosh2]

@@alexmeixner I have 2 Excelsior Accordion's model 508. Wonder how this song would sound on that. I need to start practicing again!

[@lxxwj]

nothing better than watching two great musicians talking shit to each other :3

[@alexmeixner]

We were having fun with our typical side jokes- but we also respect each other's musicianship.

[@thumbstruck]

Too good, you guys!

[@jackstevenson2422]

Hey Alex, awesome playing! What’s the name of the song that you used to demonstrate the Polish bellow shake? Thanks!

[@ruffy99020011]

I love this

[@alexmeixner]

Thank you!

[@EricNoneless]

Amazing teaching. I have prejudice with digital accordions.

[@musicwagon]

Nice job, fellers!

[@alexmeixner3831]

musicwagon thank you fine sir. Of anyone, you can correct all of my mistakes!!

[@mikeseaton5826]

I am laying in bed just makes me want to get Up and Dance.

[@alexmeixner]

Always a good time to dance!!!

[@garfbuckle9081]

how do you play fills? i've looked everywhere, even piano tutorials and cannot find how

[@alexmeixner]

There are a lot of different strategies--utilizing the chord structures and corresponding scales in the melodic breaks... or harmonizing lines that are able to be put into use underneath the melody as countermelodies... The first bit is developing vocabulary- and then determining where to place... With most of my students, I encourage to start with learning as many melodies and song forms as possible to develop the vocabulary...and then listen to great fill players-- Joey Miskulin and Steve Meisner come to mind immediately....and hear where they play-- and don't play...

[@zevyzions]

Bellows shake pushing the bass machine OUT and in front. Cool, Alex!

[@alexmeixner3831]

Zev Zions thats just what works for me in that groove. I know it’s not the “correct” accordion technique- but I’ve tried the up and down as taught by Tony Lovello and others and it doesn’t sound right in that context.

[@zevyzions]

@@alexmeixner3831 I'd love for you to teach that to me!

[@alexmeixner3831]

Zev- contact next via [e-mail] I’d love to setup a lesson and checkout your playing too!!

[@zevyzions]

Alex Meixner That would be great. IF you will be in my area AND it’s post-COVID, we have to get together.

[@alexmeixner3831]

Zev Zions I also do zoom lessons. It’s not optimum , but does work to get stuff moving along.

[@shannonlandre4442]

The F# on that bass line sounds way cooler than A

[@RoyalDelux]

This is like Neo teaching John Wick how to perform gun-fu...whoa!

[@alexmeixner]

LOL

[@giuseppeferreri6640]

Cory is a jaz master all over the world 🌍

[@alexmeixner]

Yes he is quite a unique talent!

[@leszekbielecki2559]

Pięknie brawo

[@judithnavarrete3515]

👌👌

[@alexmeixner]

Thanks!!

[@heinii1257]

"Mi se mamo radi"...that's the songs name, right...

[@alexmeixner]

That is one of the titles of the song-- (most of the recordings from Slovenia use that title and those lyrics). In the United States- Oj Maricka Peglaj or Oh Marie is commonly used as the title, as recorded by Frankie Yankovic.

[@ryano.5149]

I just watched this again without insomnia brain, and holy crap is this so useful to see these concepts demonstrated so well! I love it! I have serious practicing to do! *Edit: Also, can someone please spell that one technique shudel...? schudel...?

[@alexmeixner]

Checked in with Alex and he thinks it is possibly "schüdel weh." It's one of those things that he knows how to say, but not spell. ;-) - Lori, AMB's online manager

[@ryano.5149]

@@alexmeixner Thank you! ...and at least that spelling is close enough so I can attempt to pronounce it!

[@tomwolenski849]

Looking forward to seeing you in Cleveland. I assume you will “bring” your 80 something groupies and the young Polish couples that seem to follow you, who have an incredible ability to “cut the rug”.

[@alexmeixner]

I am looking forward to the Cleveland Oktoberfest too and all the people that enjoy the shows!! :)

[@leaccordion]

Good luck guys, and beware seriously of COVID19, as more and more areas are tightening down travelling in general and the assembly of groups of people. Whatever, keep smiling! Cheers!

[@alexmeixner3831]

Leo Vinetti we’re all grounded from traveling for a while. Just trying to have more music for y’all to enjoy and share.

[@giuseppeferreri6640]

Not easy you need to get involved with them for a while guys 😂

[@alexmeixner]

Every form of music requires a lot of understanding and development.

[@DANBOB265]

I LOVE THE PECON POLKA

[@alexmeixner]

Pecon really progressed this music so much with the jazz influence...

[@P3achJ3lly1233]

40 minutes of passive aggressive accordion peacocking. Y'all should just kiss.

[@BellowsSqueezer]

Hi, big fan here. I know Cory was caught off guard with picking a sound. I am curious how close the sound of the Roland can be programmed to get the bright sound of Alex’s accordions. Very cool video. Thank you ❤️🎶

[@alexmeixner]

Bruce sorry for the delay in answering-- I'm not sure exactly which sound matches- but that's definitely one of the advantages of a reedless accordion.... With so many options- you can switch tones that would require an arsenal of 20 accordions, in addition to all of the other synthetic instruments available. Cory is a master on making that instrument sound musical in so many contexts. (I have done a little work on the ROland, but haven't ever gotten the right musical feel out of it)

[@mikeseaton5826]

U Men R Great Together.

[@alexmeixner]

Thanks! It's a pleasure to challenge each other musically!

[@thomasidowugospelmusics]

I need one accordion please. Can you gift me one?

[@cesarperez10]

How does an accordion player not get comfortable belting out w the bellows? Whaaaaaa

[@alexmeixner]

Not sure I'm understanding what you're saying-- is it in reference to the limitations of the response for the reedless accordion or something else?

[@mysteriousMatchStick]

5:40 - sounds cajun

[@alexmeixner]

All part of the same musical tree!

[@danielbrodowski8958]

pecons my favorite

[@alexmeixner]

One of my favorites too!

[@leszekbielecki2559]

Nauczę się od Was obrobki

[@Surfsqueeze]

Wow! . . . and apologizing to Joey was correct. He probably doesn't want his fans to know he actually plays jazz!

[@donovanthompson2212]

Why…. Every few months I get super into accordion. And now this time I actually have the money saved for one… I blame you for me locking myself up for the next few years and playing accordion. It’s all your fault. ;)

[@alexmeixner]

It's a good habit!! Hope to hear ya soon! Check out www.patreon.com/alexmeixner if you're interested in some lessons!

[@pmarker]

In comparsion with the acoustic box, Cory's 7x sounds like an AM radio. Pretty pathetic. This makes me want to pick my acoustic/midi boxes over my Rolands and other digital accordions I have.

[@alexmeixner]

Everyone has their preferences- and each instrument has it's applications that make it shine. It's also interesting to note how different the instrument sounds from the player's perspective as opposed to the listener's position... when you add amplification and effects it also can radically affect that as well... and then there is the comfort/ flexibility that the instrument affords the performer... so-- in short.... I don't own any digital accordions as I agree for the most part with your preference-- though in theory, I really am interested in the flexibilities afforded by those instruments so I encourage the development.

[@johnbuchmann6069]

alex always has to prove himself where cory is just great and humble.

[@alexmeixner]

Cory and I have worked together for over a decade and in that time we have both shared a mutual musical respect centered around the diversity of our expertise. Cory initially was not exposed to the subtleties and intricacies of polka styles before we met and I have had limited experience on reedless accordions being used in fully musically expressive settings. As a result, as growing musicians we have taken curiosity into each other's expertise. This video is a edited segment of an afternoon we spent together where Cory was interested in not only learning what I've spent my life studying, but also doing video on it- so the polka genre could be better explained to others in the accordion world. I'm far from the technical accordionist that Cory is and have never professed any different-- but it's always a joy for me to learn and teach and most importantly live amongst other musicians who mutually respect, learn and teach each other.

[@martinraven4426]

Zupan je Zupan. Pozabi ostalo.

[@fantini96]

C'mon, do more shows - do a regular show ...

[@judithnavarrete3515]

Please please closed the ballow when you finish to play teaching please you can close faster that's it

[@vada3157]

Flaco jimenez... another different style polka...

[@alexmeixner]

Yes-- he plays a 3 row hohner diatonic accordion and is rooted in the conjunto style. One of my favorites too!

[@judithnavarrete3515]

a Alex please close the accordion

[@ItsKefir]

3:38 WOOOOHOOOOO SLOVENIA MENTIONED LESGOOOO (edit) i thought this was just a random mention before watching but now after seeing the whole video i almost cant believe people know we exist, it makes me happy, greetings from slovenia, it was a joy watching this video.

[@alexmeixner]

Thanks for finding me-- I play a lot of Slovenian music. (Both in it's Americanized forms and in the more traditional styles)

[@robt5818]

No offense to Cory or his instrument, but, to me, an accordion without reeds is an instrument without soul!

[@alexmeixner]

I'm not a huge fan of the reedless accordions generally, but Cory and some others make some fine music on them... I consider that they are their own beast to learn... much like someone can be a great upright bass player but not translate to electric or people that have the touch on piano but not on organ or vice versa.... it takes a lot of work to find the expression on those instruments.

[@robt5818]

@@alexmeixner kzbin.info/www/bejne/amK8maN5ob2mmZI