Vlog #2 - Irish Traditional Music on the Piano Accordion

[@russhealy7849]

As you can see, I also have a Saltarelle Clifden, and play a lot of Irish Trad. I agree that in this music the bass buttons should be used primarily for emphasis. Especially in sessions, I have to remind myself not to overplay them. Players of other instruments can find the bass loud and obtrusive as Irish Trad emphasizes melody. I love my Clifden and think it's beautiful. I often get compliments on its appearance and sometimes even its sound! Thanks for posting.

[@MichaelSmith-on1ig]

You got me subbed for effort. The nerdiness was quite perfect.

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Thanks Michael! #proudnerd 🤓

[@davidbyrhtnoth375]

Super presentation. You are a guiding light in the wilderness. Thanks enormously for sharing!

[@darnick54]

Don’t ever chuck that box in the lake…..! Very entertaining video, impressive technical stuff on the keys……loved it. I’ve owned two piano key boxes in my time…..the first I put a spade through in a rage, the second I sold to pay an electricity bill! I regret that now.

[@davidwallis2562]

Sounds good. Very helpful. Thank you

[@liztinsley1993]

I think the piano accordion is a wonderful instrument. I don’t have one myself, but I would love to learn how to play.

[@kailelucas8592]

Fantastic, interesting and informative video, thank you!

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Thanks for watching Kaile! Happy you found it useful

[@ronangervin2743]

Im from ireland and this rocks man! pints for you when you come

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Ronan Gervin Thanks man! Nice, I’ll keep that in mind 😉

[@ronangervin2743]

@@AndersLillebomusic awesome! I just started learning the piano accordion, this video is giving me great motivation!!

[@lovesthedark]

This a very helpful introduction! I'm picking up accordion for the first time and want to learn some irish-celtic music stylings suitable for the instrument.

[@montybellows4647]

Browsing Irish accordion music I just came across your video. I thought you put to bed some of the misguided myths about piano accordions in traditional Irish sessions. Your style and interpretation was spot on. The Saltarelle PA has a timbre much like the more familiar Saltarelle button boxes. I think listening to a sound track alone, one wouldn’t know you weren’t Irish and haven’t been playing a button box since childhood. Thanks for showing us how it is done.

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Thanks so much for watching and for taking the time to leave this lovely comment! I think the PA box can be a marvelous ITM instrument in the right hands. I try to learn as much as I can from many different sources, happy to be able to be of inspiration!

[@bobjenkins3rd]

Fantastic information and skills

[@newz-tube]

Nerd fest! I loved it. Thank you.

[@michaelm742]

I enjoyed it very much, thank you ☺️ I'm a middle aged beginner at piano accordion and love Celtic folk. As it's mainly in the key of D, and the fundamental bass note D is only two buttons up from home C. I need to allow myself to just let go and let myself play treble only more. I'm learning my way around that buttonboard on the left side. Coordinating the treble and bass sides is my main nemesis at the moment. The Stradella bass system is actually simple and brilliant. Assuming you have two columns ( up and down the length of the instrument, as opposed to the diagonal rows) of single notes you will find one button in the 2nd column with an indentation or raises surface. That's the C note. Follow C's diagonal row and next to it is the Cmajor chord, followed by the Cminor chord, then the C7th. The order of your fundamental notes follows the circle of 5th. One button down from C is G followed by it's chords, one button up is G+chords.

[@ReichardtHelmut]

Very inspirational, thanks! That’s lovely playing indeed! My piano accordion has been lying around for almost 40 years, I just picked it up again last year.

[@AndersLillebomusic]

I'm very happy to hear that! Let me know if I can help you out in any way!

[@ReichardtHelmut]

@@AndersLillebomusic I‘m still chewing on those decorations. Thanks again!

[@charitylouisa]

I always come back to your videos, but at 6:58 on this video I'd like to know the tune you're playing as you demo the roll. Thanks so much and keep up the videos, they're great!

[@AdminAdmin-sr9jb]

Fantastic! Thank you

[@barrylowther8728]

Very interesting Andres, I play both button and piano accordion and concertina. They all have unique differences.

[@FabiusPyromanus]

Awesome tips!

[@nathanielwise508]

Your production quality is SOOOOOOO high! I sincerely hope that your channel is super successful!

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Thanks for the kind words, and thanks for subscribing!

[@accordionprakash8267]

Very interesting. Thank you.

[@beejosie]

This is brilliant! Thank you!!!

[@FrankDudgeon]

Just found this video - great job! I learned a lot. Just subscribed.

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Thanks so much! Happy you enjoyed it. More accordion videos coming up soon!

[@siricaplan7777]

Thanks, I found this useful - I am Scottish and am used to a very different approach to the bass side - I struggle to invent authentic-sounding bass accompaniments to the few Irish tunes I have learned so far.

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Cool! Yes, the traditional Scottish style of playing the basses is a bit different. It can be really nice as well, love listening to Phil Cunningham for example. When it comes to Irish music, I prefer a more «open» approach. I think Jimmy Keane is a master at this. Karen Tweed is of course also nice to listen to for inspiration!

[@seanredmond3112]

Thanks for the tips,I've often thought about throwing my accordion away when I see everyone else on their buttons but I'm hanging in there.I met a German banjo player at the weekend and he told me that as long as you play sweetly you can fit in in any session.Thanks again for the help guys.

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Sean Redmond Cool, that’s good advice! Don’t throw it away! 😄

[@hanzkilian1806]

Hi, thank you for this video. I have played for 30 years and learned twice. Why because after 15 yrs I had a stroke and forgot, hence learning twice. I play a 4 voice Zupan, a very big but a very strong sounding LMMM instument. I did play a ladies model Titano. That titano had narrow keys and I feel that may help you with an octave. I found for my stumpy hands, it was a real benefit. If you find a ladies model, try it. Cheers from Australia

[@AndersLillebomusic]

wow, that's impressive, well done for sticking with it! Yes, I've been interested in trying out a model with slightly narrower keys myself, but I'm already struggling with hitting the right keys, so I don't know 😄

[@CaioWhistler]

thanks for sharing!

[@duncanritchiemusic]

This is really interesting. Come to Scotland, piano accordion players dominate all the other accordions here

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Great! Yes, that's my impression as well. Hope to be able to go soon

[@tlittlebo]

Really interesting stuff!

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Thanks for watching!

[@pinguchan1]

Hi Anders - This is a great resource as I am starting my journey into Irish trad on the piano accordion, especially to learn some of the vocabulary. It can definitely be a disheartening experience to be starting to learn trad on an instrument that, simply due to being more modern, is considered non-idiomatic - but I play other styles of trad where the best way for the accordion to fit in is to imitate other melody instruments (especially fiddles!) on the molecular level, like some Scandinavian fiddle music. Of course, the imaginary purist in my head is much meaner than anyone I’ve encountered at sessions or workshops…

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Hi Adam! Very happy that you found my video helpful :) I agree, the imaginary purist can be your greatest enemy! Good luck with your ITM journey!

[@pinguchan1]

@@AndersLillebomusic thank you! As it I happens today I have discovered your podcast via your interview with Karen Tweed. Very much looking forward to hearing more.

[@AndersLillebomusic]

@@pinguchan1 Brilliant! Let me know if you haver any suggestions for future guests for the show

[@DavidNorthUK]

Lovely playing! What's the name of the tune at the end please?

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Thanks for stopping by man! The reel I'm playing demonstrating the basses is called The Culfadda. Great tune!

[@echosaxea]

Oh my, thank you!! Why did not I find this earlier? :/

[@simoncole7103]

Really enjoyed this - well produced, clear, informative, encouraging and good playing too. I agree about the tune being the important thing and other players getting irritated by the bass.

[@charitylouisa]

that was fantastic. I used to play irish music on my Buebe but I sold it and went back to my piano accordion, sorry I sold it, but I feel more comfortable on the piano accordion. Great tips for playing, will be practicing that. Could do all that on the button, easier

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Hi Nancy. Thanks for the nice comment! Happy to hear that you got value out of the video. Please let me know if you have any questions I might be able to help out with. Happy practicing!

[@matthewlacroix3439]

Thanks for the video. I'm still trying to figure out which accordion to buy for Irish music, but I want to play not just session music but traditional songs and ballads. Do you think a piano accordion with 12 bass buttons is too limited? I agree with you on the sentiment of showing up with a big piano accordion.

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Hi, Matthew. Thanks for watching, and thanks for subscribing to my channel. I would recommend a slightly bigger accordion if you plan on using the basses at all. 60 bass is a good size I find. Then you will lack the diminished chord buttons, but I don't miss them at all for playing Irish music. When it comes to brands, I don't follow the marked that closely at the moment. I'm very happy with my Saltarelle Clifden, which I've had for a few years, can definitely recommend it. If you're just starting out, I would maybe look for something a bit cheaper, second hand maybe. Hohner has a few decent models. Good Luck!

[@charitylouisa]

I'm sorry if you've already named that last tune somewhere, but could you please tell me again the name of the tune you're playing around the 8:20 point in this video? thanks a lot

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Hi Nancy, thanks for watching! That would be The Culfadda, great tune!

[@matthewlacroix3439]

Hello Anders. I was wondering if you think a 72 bass accordion would be adequate for Irish music. I feel like a 120 bass accordion is just unnecessarily too big for me. I currently play on a small 12 button, but I need to upgrade.

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Matthew LaCroix Hi, thanks for the question! I think 72 bass is more than adequate if you’re playing primarily trad music. My Saltarelle is only 60 bass, and I never miss anything. For me, size and weight are also important factors when it comes to choosing a piano accordion. I’m general, you probably won’t need the diminished chord buttons anyway

[@nemethmik]

You are an established musician, and brilliantly talented. Whatever you play it's gorgeous. Definitely, there are tens of thousands other great young excellent musicians, too, out there. But you are one of them. Actually, you are so much talented, why don't you give a try to a button accordion, just for the sake of challenge? I bet in three months you'd play it like a champion. You are so brilliant on the piano accordion, so you can return to it any time when required.

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Miklos Nemeth Thanks for the kind words, Miklos. I thought about taking up the button box in the past, but have come to the conclusion that, for now, I rather spend my time learning instruments that have a radically different sound from the piano acc, like flute and guitar.. maybe some day though!

[@accordionlucy]

You sound like you've been playing all your life! I'm also originally a piano player and have learnt most of what I know of piano accordion by reading and watching videos. I wish I could play Irish music the way you do. Where did you learn all those ornaments and bass patterns? Beautiful accordion btw I'd love a Salterelle but I spent so much money on my Scandalli!

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Hi, Lucy. Thanks for watching the video! As you know piano and piano accordion are very different instruments, and in many ways you have start from scratch, even though the piano keyboard is familiar. I've seen some of your videos though, and your doing well! The ornaments I've learned mostly from listening to other people play Irish music on different instruments. I really think that's the key to master any genre of music, you need to listen to it enough for it to become second nature.

[@skyriderize]

Music & Rhythm are my DNA. I can become intoxicated without a bottle R glass insight.

[@samjones2624]

Left hand sounds awesome m8!

[@martinegan4552]

Needy inspiration

[@brianbeag]

Just seen your video. Very well put together and a good explanation of the nuances of ITM. I have heard many traditional players trying to explain ornamentation but with no clarity whatsoever. I agree that triplets on the same note is overused by many PA players in ITM. I find it more sympathetic to the style to play a semitone or a full tone below or above, depending on the flow of the melody. You are also ‘spot on’ about the basses although I have heard some well known exponents of the PA employ a more continuous regular accompaniment on the basses. Of course, using the former method will draw more favourable responses from other instrumentalists in a session who prefer playing along with button box players where the limited number of basses precludes that style. One other key issue for a lot of PA players is their boxes are tuned much too wide, producing a strong vibrato (or as I prefer to say, a discordant) sound and can result in an overpowering sound in a session. One can also hear other trad musicians describing the PA as ‘too loud’ when it is actually the very wet tuning that is the main issue, although the larger 37 & 41 treble key PAs, because of the larger bellows will be naturally louder.

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Thanks for watching the video Brian, and thanks for leaving such a long and thoughtful comment! Yes, tuning has a big impact on the sound. I’ve gone through several phases in regards to how dry I prefer the tuning to be. At some point a had my box tuned bone dry, but then I felt like it completely lost all life, so it’s definitely a balance. Do you play PA yourself?

[@brianbeag]

@@AndersLillebomusic Yes, but very mediocre. Bellow control is poor. I have a 30/72 LMM box and am currently having the 16ft reeds replaced with another 8ft bank and re-tuned to +12 -8. I agree, 60 basses are more than adequate and if buying another box I would have 60 or possibly 80 basses with no diminished.

[@echosaxea]

Can I ask - is there any systematic approach how to decide what ornament to use on which tone, or is it more the matter of taste?

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Thanks for watching! It's hard to give a quick answer to that question. There are definitely various phrases and notes that lends themselves to certain types of ornaments, but it is of course also a matter of taste. I do some online teaching these days. It's easier to explain these things that way. If you're ever interested in that, be sure to let me know!

[@echosaxea]

@@AndersLillebomusic Wow, great! How can I contact you privately?

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Echo Saxea You can find me on Instagram if you like. There’s also contact info on my website!

[@Pad_dy02]

What brand is your piano Akkordeon?

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Saltarelle Clifden, great box!

[@toraderM]

Mycket informativ och intressant video. Jag ser fram emot fler! 👍

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Topp! Takk skal du ha!

[@TheHelifly]

I played the irish suite by Matyas Seiber on piano orchestra and that wasn't that bad xD

[@Crysislobster]

Yees!! Really the video I wanted to see from you. Having thrown myself into celtic trad with a piano-box it's great to hear other players' thoughts on the instrument. Keep doing you, looks and sounds great!

[@bernadettesavage4786]

I think I want to get one. But I wonder why there is the snobbery about the button accordion. I wonder if it sounds better or something?

[@AndersLillebomusic]

If you're starting from scratch it might be easier to get an «authentic» Irish sound on the button box, since that the accordion sound we're used to hearing in Irish Music. The piano box can sound just as good with a bit of work though, and it's also arguably a more versatile instrument when it comes to playing other genres of music!

[@bernadettesavage4786]

@@AndersLillebomusic Thanks a bunch for the tips. I listened to some button accordion videos versus piano accordion and I think the piano accordion struggles with that punchy sort of phrasing. It's a bit smooth sounding which kind of takes the zing out of the rhythmic Irish music. You've created phrasing and detail into your sound and phrasing but I can see you would have worked hard to create that on the piano accordion. But then the button accordion can sound kinda disjointed as well when some people play it. Probably the button accordion would be the better place to start as you said. That way i can imitate that sound on the piano accordion later on.

[@bernadettesavage4786]

@@conley.m Interesting.

[@efdiyi]

I loved your video!!! Very honest you are, but listen, don't regret that Piano Accordion. Mirella Murray, Phil Cunningham, etc. There is no more need to prove anything.

[@joefagan9335]

Anders that's awesome playing. You really have the sound nailed and your bass playing is quite modern. The Culfada is top notch playing. It's a difficult journey to transition to trad music and to get that great sound. Yes the cuts, rolls and triplets make a difference for sure but even on the straight parts of the reel (the few passages without ornamentation) they're is a particular 'reel' feel that I can never fully describe. I've often played with music score software and meticulously moved both the placement of the note and the dynamics and could never reproduce that 'reel' feel - it's very subtle - and you have it spot on. Well done.

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Thanks for lovely feedback! Yes, it's hard to nail exactly what makes a tune sound trad. I guess it's a mixture of a lot of things. One thing I didn't mention in this video is how important it is to listen to great recordings of trad music regularly. I think you need to really have the sound in your ears before it's possible to get it out through your fingers!

[@vinskilindqvist4554]

Är du svensk?

[@AndersLillebomusic]

Vinski Lindqvist Nesten! Norsk

[@aodhmacraynall8932]

T'ink God for purists. It gives the rest o' us somethin to aspire to. But innovation is part of music. Nobodys tryin to change trad Irish. It's just that some of us want ta do other t'ings. I also play the piano accordion and i'll not be drawn inta useless arguments and discussions about what is and is not the right way ta play. Right now Im tryiin ta take trad music and put me own stamp on it. Not because I t'ink I'm that good or that im gonna start a new genre or anything silly like that. I just enjoy puttin myself inta it. Thanks for this video. I'll be checkin in more often. The six that down-voted this, well, they're probly from Derry.