How long does it take to learn how to play the accordion?

This video aims to address the most commonly asked question about the accordion from beginners: How long will it take me to learn?
While there's no straight answer, I do my best in the video to explain some expected timeframes based on a couple of varying factors, such as your prior musical experience and how long you practise.
Enjoy!
Lucy xx
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[@Samk_44444]

I started playing accordion at 8 years old and i am currenty 14. I still havent mastered it but im good enough to impress beginners. Most people give up after 3 years because it starts to get really difficult.

[@accordionlucy]

Congratulations for keeping it up!

[@markjones7063]

Hi Lucy! I'm 64 and decided to take up the accordion. Years ago I was a comp major with basic keyboard skills. Once I started looking at the potential for the accordion and studied the stradella configuration, I was hooked. I write my own arrangements and pieces like Amazing Grace, Katyusha, Ashokan Farewell, etc started happening for me within about a month, practicing every day. I estimate I'll be comfy with the accordion in about one year. Toughest for me is large shifts on the bass side, like going from E7 to Cmaj in Katyusha. Practicing about an hour each day and have fallen in love with the accordion. Wish I had started in my 20's 🙂It's a great companion.

[@accordionlucy]

Falling in love with the accordion is a great thing... congratulations :)

[@ryano.5149]

15 minutes a day! Why 15 minutes a day? Because 15 minutes doesn't sound like an intimidating amount of time. It'll get you to pick up the instrument. However, what ends up happening is that 15 minutes flies by, and then before you know it, you look at your watch and it's 2 hours later! ...or maybe that's just me... lol Also, don't forget to hydrate! The accordion can be a physically demanding instrument, even if it doesn't feel like it!

[@accordionlucy]

That is golden advice!

[@tomvalletta1493]

Hi Lucy! I started accordion in 1971. I progressed very quickly, and by 1980, i was the State of Rhode Island state champion in America, and placed 1st to 5th in different categories on a national level. I learned on Palmer-Hughs, and what memories when you played the examples. I distinctly remember learning and playing those songs. I guess it hasn't changed much! I can't believe the Russian and Polish classical music i used to play. Wow. I still have my custom accordion with 3 extra keys. Great condition after 40+ years. I retired from music after getting married in 1987. Now i play piano, learning guitar, and sometimes pick up the accordion. I'm sure you know Cory Pesatori. He's from my home state. I know his teachers. I'll be seeing him perform next year and hope to talk to him in person. Great video! 🙂

[@accordionlucy]

Thank you so much!

[@JBSpecialMusic]

Thanks so much for producing this. I was doing good with self instruction a couple years back, until I hit Little Brown Jug in PH book 3. This was during 6-9 months of intense daily accordion hugging in the pandemic. I still have my full-size 41/120. Part of my heart still beats inside her.

[@accordionlucy]

Thanks for watching! You did very well getting yourself that far! It takes a lot of self discipline and encouragement.

[@RenatoVargas]

Thank you so much for all your videos. I love your song tutorials. I was on the fence about buying my first accordion, and trying out your Bella Ciao tutorial on a Casio keyboard with the accordion sound made me say "I can do this" and I bit the bullet. This is the first video where I see you out of "performance character" and it's very relatable seeing you talk like this. It's as if having a candid discussion with a friend about accordion books. Cheers from Guatemala!

[@accordionlucy]

Wow thank you for the tip and the really thoughtful comment. I appreciate this feedback especially on a video when I am outside of my comfort zone trying a more casual talking style! This gives me the motivation to keep going :) Thank you so much!

[@avgirlaustintx]

Thank you for this! I am on book 1 but I am about 75% done with it. I just need to perfect the songs without pausing a lot. I think it has taken me 6 weeks to get this far. I practice 30 min to 1 hr a day, but skip some days if I am busy. I probably wouldn't have started or got this far if I hadn't seen this video! You inspired me to try the Palmer Hughes book. I have a some experience playing ukulele and guitar by ear but I couldn't read music. I think it will take me at least 10 weeks to master book 1. Also I'm using an accordion with a "uniform" keyboard...so its a different style piano. It was my mom's accordion when she was a girl.

[@NeoN-hj8jv]

Hi Lucy. I picked up the accordion last year2023 April, and I practiced like 15min every day 90% of the time, ass you said takes a long time to make some music. Right now 2024 February I got a few psie songs and a complicated one I repeat repeat and I still not got to the right speed. And when I try to show off to my friends I screwed up 😂. I think I'm emotional. But I love playing and fool around, so I will not stop.

[@accordionlucy]

It will take lots of performances in front of your friends before you stop screwing up. You need to build up the confidence :)

[@cdnsoul5808]

You're so full of life and you bring it across your videos most of the time. I used to edit video for television. Over there we had 3 editor. #1, #2, #3. #1 would edit from raw data and pass it on to #2 who would edit the 1st edit as raw data and the same with #3. We alternated position depending on what was being produced. It always was for a 1 hour show so 40 minutes of the program. Now I know I am being very picky, force of habit, when I watch your videos, but I like them, really like them so I want to offer you something FREE. I live the furthest away from you possible. In a straight line it is 16, 560 and our time difference is 15 hrs. You are ahead of me here. My offer: If it's possible, send me your raw data, all the clips you want included in the video you put out and I will do the editing for you. Knowing how long it takes to edit videos, this should free up some of your time for whatever else you wish to do. Interested?

[@accordionlucy]

Are you serious about this offer????? Seems too good to be true! Email me! [e-mail]

[@petr_cz6361]

Hello Lucy, the most important thing is to enjoy playing accordion. 🥳😀 I have started from the scratch and PH1 took me one year and PH2 ( I am before Danube..) another year but it does not matter. Anyway, I still follow you and like listening to your practical advices. It is nice to see you and 🤞in your business.

[@accordionlucy]

Thanks so much for your support! You’re right. It doesn’t matter at all as long as you are enjoying yourself :) Keep it up Petr.

[@hazelwoodgarage]

I have been playing for way over 10 years and still a work in progress

[@accordionlucy]

The learning and improvement never stops!

[@edgaracostadavila204]

i have 7 years, since february 2017. I am still strugle with presicion in some accords but i also i realize that everytime to learn a new song takes less and less time, i remember the second year 2018 took me the all year to learn the folk song: "cielito lindo" now i have learn waltz with more complexity like "Je te veux" and "God never dies", tje sheet notes of these songs has octaves and thirds, also now i play in an orchestra. Still need to improve a lot, for example i have not learn to Harmonize a song with the rigth hand, learn accord progressions... Until now the accordeon is my best friend and he will stay with me the rest of my life. Also i collect books about the accordeon, history books. Is great instrument

[@HA-lc4ik]

I started on Baritone, switched to tuba, played bass guitar and acoustic guitar and i recently picked up a 1950s cellini keyboard accordion. I have a E flat tuba (king) i also kinda learn by ear

[@Neomalthusiano]

Actually, when deciding the route a given marathon will follow, usually all those factors are taken into consideration. The route must be either mostly flat or have a maximum span between elevations so it's expected there will be no uphill or downhill considering the entirety of the route. Also, there must be a mandatory chance of direction, so runners can't be always in favor or against the wind. I would say that the major factor is climate and of course, runner's Vo2 max. While flat marathons in cool weather are definitely faster, its astonishingly accurate to predict someone's performance as long there's enough data about previous trainings/events, even without knowing where the marathon will take place (as long its somewhere within reason). But this only a side commentary (for generating engagement), great video.

[@accordionlucy]

Sounds like you really know your stuff! Thanks for engaging :)

[@chucks_music_stuff]

Thanks for the realistic expectations. I really enjoy your videos.

[@accordionlucy]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@marianaluduena8733]

Thank yoy very much Lucy!

[@accordionlucy]

All the best! Why not try to learn note reading :) I bet you can do it!

[@marianaluduena8733]

@@accordionlucy thank you Lucy! :) I'll try it

[@michaelm742]

Hi Lucy, and thanks for this. As I told you, I originally skipped Palmer Hughes 1 as I had two other first level methods and thought I wouldn't need it. I've been stuck at page 137 ever since. My issue at the moment is largely due to my bad coordination. I have been stuck on marrying the left and right. I can perfect the treble, as well as the bass. Putting them together is the issue. Page 13 of P.H.#1, they call it 'The Kick Off', is one I learned from one of my other books. With single tones per treble measure I do fine now, this one, long committed to memory, is always part of my warm up. Page 17, "Skating', is largely where I've been stuck. I will strike the chord instead of the fundamental note, or chord then note note, making me wondering how I manage to walk and chew gum at the same time. Now that one is largely memorized as well. And I've been aware of doing better my memory then I do sitting in front of the music and worrying about mistakes. Where as that is doubtlessly the way you learn, it is sometimes a hinderance to me. It is just as important, in my case to practice what I've learned away from the music stand. More then a week ago I had a practice experience that mixed intense frustration with a feeling of moving forward as I've not felt on this instrument before: Lately I've taken to removing my daily wear glasses, leaving me blind as the proverbial bat. before I put my accordion on. This is very conducive to concentration with me. Besides needing to find fundamental C with my left ring finger, if I run my thumb between the bassoon and master switches, I'll find middle C, and concentrate on what I'm doing. I did lots of bass practice, at one point I allowed myself a pleasure I deny myself too frequently, I just allowed myself to play treble for my own enjoyment. Before long melodies I never attempted before (including the Beer Barrel Polka) starting flowing out me, with very few mistakes and I had a smile frozen on my face. Prior to that I had been forgetting to have fun too often :) When I put my reading glasses on for 'structured' practice I tried something new. Looking ahead in the 'Easiest Accordion' book, being VERY sick of 3/4 time, I decided to give "When The Saints Go Marching In' a go. Standard fare for any beginning keyboardist, I figured easy peasy... Perhaps not, despite the treble being burned in my long term memory, I could not marry it, did not matter. I was successfully playing alternating bass, which made me nervous when I first read it. I quickly decided to let go and learn it! The frustrating part was when I went back to page 17 of P.H. #1 and proceeded to slipping all over the ice. I shut that book, took off the reading glasses and began alternate bassing like mad, up and down the buttonboard. :) I suspect I am going to be a high practice individual, I'm 56 after all! I'd like to be competent at this sooner rather then later. I've had mainly the heat of Summer standing in my way. Since all that, I've been getting more adept at ghosting alternate sides to bring it together. It's still something I need to work at. Natural clumsiness can be overcome with enough of the right kind of practice :)

[@accordionlucy]

As long as you’re having fun don’t worry about the pace too much! Keep playing tunes around the level that you’re stuck at and eventually it will click. You can do this!

[@andygremett3140]

For me, 12 weeks for Palmer Hughes Book 2 is a big underestimate. Most songs took me about one to two weeks to learn and there are about 20 songs in my edition. I play the piano and guitar as well so I understood music. I shoot for 30 min of practice each day for 6 days a week. I typically have one brand-new song and one I am just polishing up for each week. Along with some exercises from another book. For me, this is a full load as a hobbyist.

[@accordionlucy]

There's just so many factors that go into it! Some will take longer, some will take less. As long as your enjoying it then it doesn't really matter :)

[@livinhoslots]

Meu sonho é aprender a tocar esse lindo instrumento! 🥹

[@accordionlucy]

I hope you do!

[@JosephPGrima]

Well explained in simple words.👌

[@accordionlucy]

Thanks Joseph :)

[@f.k.n.zachthebard]

This video is a wonderful life saver. Thank you so much for the recommendations. I have been playing piano for years. The left hand bass notes are my biggest challenge right now. So your suggestion of the bass melodies book was greatly appreciated!

[@accordionlucy]

You’re welcome! I’m so glad you found it helpful.

[@marianasantosacordeonista2005]

Excelente!!!😊😊😊

[@accordionlucy]

Thanks Mariana!

[@kenuchaccordionlessonsintr6003]

very nice suggestions.

[@accordionlucy]

Thanks!

[@flightharbinger7218]

I really liked this! Thank you! My one question is are there books that teach Yankovich or specifically polka style and songs?

[@dwightjones3305]

Thank you for doing this. I’m your newest subscriber. I’m 65, have little musical experience, and no piano experience. I’m looking to buy my first instrument. I’m could go to one extreme or the other- I might get a one row diatonic accordion that would get me playing right away. OR, I might start with a chromatic button accordion that has room to grow. Or, I could split the difference and get a piano accordion. For some reason, the last option doesn’t excite me much. Should I do it anyway or go for one of the other options?

[@rubydoobyd00]

i have a question? how long does it take most adult beginners who practice everyday but don't have other musical experience to learn all 10 books?????? I've always wondered and even my teacher didn't know! anyone who knows please answer!

[@rubydoobyd00]

i feel that this is a fairly unrealistic time frame, it's taken me 13 weeks to get through book 1 and that is with a teacher. my teacher didn't want me rushing, and everyones learns at different paces, but i just find 4 weeks for a beginner who practices everyday to be pretty unrealistic. i practiced mostly everday and its taken me 13 weeks. i find it totally possible your students learn at a different pace from me but i just have a hard time believing most people will learn THAT fast. also my teacher gave me 1-2 songs a week to work on. nothing against you or your teaching, i actually really like your videos. I'm just putting this out there so any other beginners won't feel like they're learning too slow.

[@frankb1]

Can you play the little accordions on the shelf behind you?

[@accordionlucy]

I have tried to before in another short video on Instagram and TikTok. They don’t sound very good at all!

[@milano1633]

Hi thank you for sharing accordion knowledge, I really like your channel 👌. I want to ask you if you know or see somebody left-handed who is playing piano akordeon . I don't and approximately a year ago when I was buying my first accordion in Liberty Bellows Accordion Shop in Philadelphia (BTW they still remember you 🙂) They told me I cannot get it for left handed 😭 I'm playing and learning but thinking what would it be like to play on my left dominant side... And one more question would you think about tuning to A432? Thank you for answering or if you can make a video... 🙏

[@accordionlucy]

I can see why that would be appealing, playing a left handed accordion, but in the end, you have to use both hands quite a lot, so eventually you will build up the coordination. For example think of piano players! Left or right handed they all play the same piano just fine! And I can’t comment on tuning unfortunately that’s not my area of expertise!

[@milano1633]

@@accordionlucy piano is symmetrical , on accordion each hand does something different. they also make guitars for right-handed and left-handed people because each hand does something different and everyone can choose. Just on a side note, I was wondering if you know someone who has an accordion on the left hand of the keyboard. thank you for your opinion 🙏

[@accordionlucy]

I don’t know of anyone, but maybe there is!

[@michaelrossart]

Hi Lucy. I'm based in the UK. I have decided to learn and play the accordion. ( I remember my Mum playing the accordion when I was little The Happy Wanderer)I can play the piano ( from the age of 4) tenor Sax and an expert in playing the Tin Whistle. I have a very good 'ear' So with some musical knowledge, but the very first hurdle, (and I'm sure you may have covered it) is which one to choose? It is a minefield out there of different makes and prices? Where do you start? I know it will be second-hand, but don't want a very basic one, but one that can accommodate my playing as I improve as I get better. What's your advice please? ps There are lots of you Guys out there but will be following your channel Thanks, Michael

[@accordionlucy]

Thanks for the follow and the support Michael! I recommend a 72 bass accordion with LMM tuning or similar. That's just me but everyone is different.

[@jFruino38]

I play acordation for 6 month's and i play it 3-6 hours a day is that weird?

[@kurtpayne3784]

I agree 100%. My playing really stagnated with method books and improved exponentially with the Palmer Hughes series. What I find useful is Yuri has recorded all the melodies from the books so you can be inspired or just get an idea of what they should sound like. kzbin.info/aero/PL9dYpuOcHP8FlkawfRaI5f-vj8yAgdSuf&si=F8T2YzvsjUENh94a

[@accordionlucy]

Yes I think that’s a brilliant idea! So helpful to know what a tune sounds like before you try to play it. Thanks for linking it.

[@lyndafish642]

What was the name of the accordion method you mentioned? Sounded like Plumber?

[@janitsch80]

Palmer Hughes

[@andrzejmartelli5491]

Bravo ☺👌🌹🌹🌹

[@accordionlucy]

Thanks!

[@user-wk3wk5bp8n]

2:00 Isn't it good to learn to play the accordion every day?

[@accordionlucy]

Playing every day is best case scenario but not always possible.

[@jaimegutier273]

How long? Instantly! You just pull bellows, press a key or button and that's it! You are playing right away! Now, does that means you can play Hungarian rhapsody #2 that very same day? Of course not. It will take you a lot of time and practice before you can even attempt on learning it. You need to be motivated, otherwise you won't last enduring all those hours of practice. Don't be scare. Accordion is like any other instrument. No magical trick will save you the hours you will have to spend in order to learn it.

[@accordionlucy]

Haha technically, that's correct.

[@skiing43degreesnorth]

The only thing easier than accordion is guitar zither. But then accordion might be easier because of the circle of fifths.

[@ozwzrd]

Learn music first. Train your ear. Whatever instrument you choose after that will be much easier.

[@jepcartusch1084]

You can teach me everything, I don't guarantee that I'll learn anything, but please teach me. I insist, beautiful woman. Edit: I'm sorry, I didn't want to offend you by calling you a woman, maybe you identify as a diatonic accordion. And even then I couldn't resist pressing your buttons... I should probably stop drinking.

[@mikehaws3187]

One hr per day. U need to be dedicated

[@rodrigoariassepulveda9630]

Great!! but I would like you to speak a little more slowly

[@accordionlucy]

No problem! I will give that a go.

[@Sirzacharia]

lol me watching this video at 2x speed.