How to Play Diatonic Button Accordion - Overview with Alex Meixner

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Artist-in-Residence Alex Meixner provides an overview of diatonic button accordions of sizes! Liberty Bellows Accordion Shop is pleased to collaborate with talented artists to educate the accordion community. More FREE lesson videos here:
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Check out Alex Meixner's site here:
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[@mstarr67]

You gotta be some kind of crazy smart to play an instrument like that.

[@cellokid5104]

@Falcon amen

[@parkjammer]

Long ago I inherited a 2-row diatonic button accordion from the 1950's from my grandfather. I had it reviewed and refurbished a couple of decades ago in Manhattan but never had the time to learn it (I can play several other instruments). However, now in my 50's, I thought I'd pop it out and share it and its history with my kids. So... now I'm "learning by KZbin". Enjoyed the video. Thanks!

[@thewildbackyard7876]

Go for it.

[@jamesgruden2191]

Alex Thanks for the explanation on the different accordions.. it was very helpful. Jim Gruden

[@Being-Bob]

This is a familiar situation.

[@WaggyT]

That was beautifully demonstrated

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Liberty Bellows Getting the 1 Chord on the Push & the 5 Chord on the Pull is exactly like what the Harmonica does.

[@thumbstruck]

Great intro to the diationic box! MORE!

[@madness8556]

Alex you're a fantastic player and demonstrator of these beautiful instruments. I have 12 diatonic button accordions of 3-4 rows covering every key and I love their lively sound.

[@alexmeixner]

THanks!! Hope to hear ya play sometime too!

[@ccgg3913]

Outstanding and best ever explanation, thank you !

[@petercane6376]

Its Alex isnt it!!! Man you are so so good. You explained that the best I have heard it. You are a very talented and clever musician. I love listening to you play. You are also very physical when you play . Peter

[@MusicEducationwiththeMan]

Thank you Mr. Meixner. Fascinating Video.

[@jasonbannan4024]

Thank you Alex. I've been listening to French folk music, German and polish polkas and Mexican Norteña music that use the diatonic accordion. I always wondered how they are played and your video was very interesting. Thanks again.

[@thewildbackyard7876]

I hope that Javier Bardem play Alex in his biopic. Just purchased my first diatonic (3-row, no bass) and am looking for training videos.

[@SnackPackSilkens]

"Call it Accordion-o."

[@theouleejit9485]

Almost 70 years after being a brat and refusing piano lessons I took it up at 67 and realise now those years aren't coming back. Wish somebody like this could have made it fun. Maybe I'll catch up a little ;-)

[@caliboyschannel3936]

The CORONA accordions are also used for Colombian Music/ folklore like Cumbia, Vallenato, and Tropical Music.

[@Izakokomarixyz]

Yep that red emiliano zuleta corona III signature model was specifically designed with Vallenato and Cumbia in mind… BbEbAb

[@alweedo8377]

Excellent video. Thanks Alex.

[@davidbyrhtnoth375]

Brilliant explanation. Thank you hugely for making the time and effort to explain.

[@alexmeixner]

THanks for enjoying-- hope you'll enjoy some of my performance videos as well... kzbin.info

[@AulisA.O.T]

In Estonia, we have a the Diatonic Accordion of *Teppo* (Teppo LÕÕTSPILL)

[@koraykumru1295]

This is just straight up awesome

[@annahopp]

Thank you for sharing. This definitely confirms that I am not smart enough for a button accordion.

[@fromdoormattoflyingcarpetw407]

Ha ha ha ha! Your comment made me giggle 🤭 out loud! I do not agree! I believe you are smart enough and you should order one!

[@climbthatmountain]

Far and away, I love the diatonic button box...most of all! I can't however, for the life of me...get my head around, some of keying challenges. How do the maestros, play around Em, and Bm, in the verse, and melody? Maybe I'm thinking, in terms, of the wrong tunings. With either G,C,F...or F,B,E....I find my mind, searching for the relative notes. I really enjoy, all of your accordion presentations. This is one of my favorite videos! Thank you again.

[@F0nkyNinja]

a lot of british players use accordions tuned B/C/C# instead of G/C/F

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

6 row Steirische Harmonikas also exist but those are quite heavy & they would have to be made out of a Super Lightweight material to keep the weight down.

[@benjamindermer4495]

Great vid dude!!

[@elprieto3183]

Good video Alex keep up the good work from your friends in New Braunfels TX - Darren prieto y sus amigos

[@spikedwatermelon]

Damn i never heard this instrument before but you make it look great an sounds wonderful. Awesome video an informative 👍

[@andrewr888r]

this man speaks like a god

[@Glazed4Dayz]

Wild, I learn so much from your vides.. Thank You for sharing.

[@Fabian-uy4kb]

Funny to hear someone from across the planet play some music from your home (i am from Austria)👍🏻

[@derekmoore6265]

Brilliant! 👍

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

The idea of the Diatonic Accordion is just like a Diatonic Harmonica because your Tonic is on the Push (or Blow), & the Dominant is on the Pull (or Draw).

[@nistnist1450]

Chromatic ones also work the same.

[@nistnist1450]

But the reeds are tuned the same, so you hear the same note while pushing and pulling.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@nistnist1450 That also goes for those Tula Unisinoric Diatonic Accordions

[@nistnist1450]

@@RockStarOscarStern634I know it.

[@MrFlames01]

Hey! I didn’t know you had been an artist in residence for Liberty! That’s awesome! Nice video, by the way!

[@aestheticman2662]

Fantastic!

[@ombelle5284]

Merci beaucoup !

[@user-iv9jy7vo5r]

Awesome!!

[@nojigs]

Alex, that is so wonderful. I've been gifted a diatonic two-row Galotta accordion by my Dad and I've no idea how to play it. I normally play ukulele and banjo, so accordion is taking me well out of my comfort zone. Could you show me how to play a very simple tune on the two-row - and explain what the bass buttons do? I'm asking a lot, but could we try it with "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star", a tune where there'll be no possible confusion.

[@alexmeixner]

Sorry I’m just seeing this now. If you’re still needing assistance, please reach out at my website and I’ll do what I can to get ya started!

[@bwanadave76]

Polka on, dude!😁

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

5:50 Say does anyone know this song? It's a well known Tex Mex song

[@rafaelperez1380]

wow blown away bro. dope

[@CT-ct9ps]

How do you do accompaniment on accordion? Like if you wanted to sing the melody with the voice and accompany with the accordion.

[@ombelle5284]

Very helpful !

[@tertodias185]

Muito emgrasada

[@eileenmangold9976]

Very interesting. So much to think about when playing a diatonic accordion!

[@AnnN1124]

Too much to think about! ;)

[@alexmeixner3831]

There’s a song. Let’s stop thinking....

[@eileenmangold9976]

@@alexmeixner3831 haha right! Let's start drinking!

[@user-de4rx9if3s]

I play my 3 row by ear. I have no understanding of the theory behind playing this instrument. So that limits my ability. However I still enjoy playing Czech and German polkas to entertain myself and others with what I can manage from the instrument. I’ve even played in some polka bands with it, but like I said before, limited. A lot of players I know don’t play the bass side because that requires a lot of row jumps. Still it is a fun instrument and I encourage those who appreciate the music to pick one up and play what you can!

[@melindalemmon2149]

Looking for someone playing an A/D button box to learn with.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

4:38 What brand of Accordion is this one?

[@IDoABitOfTrollin]

I found a corona in our basement and am tempted to learn how to play it

[@acidspit14]

Incredible

[@OsoTrue]

Alex, I’m interested in finding some lessons online to learn how to play Conjunto and Tejano music. I bought a diatonic 3 button accordion In F,Bb,Cb. I speak Spanish fine I can’t read it to save my life. Can you recommend any resources that may be available online? I’m willing to pay fairly well for a good solid foundation in learning. Thank you!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

There are methods for it in English that'll help

[@victorchozen4205]

Found anything? I am also playing diatonic and allt of great content in spanish in KZbin they also give lessons

[@eskualerritar]

I've been playing trikitixa my whole life, a Basque two-row-diatonic accordion introduced in the country by Italian Alpine railway builders, but I've yet got to understand exactly what is going on...

[@paulmitchell3877]

Next time I would like to hear more about the heligon. I’m not familiar with this term at all

[@BoazKimMusic]

You might have some more luck looking under, "helikon bass," accordions. Helikons (or helicons in the US) are a type of tuba that wraps around your body with a bell that points to the side, and are the predecessor to the more popular marching brass instrument called the Sousaphone.

[@paulmitchell3877]

@@BoazKimMusic thank you. I checked out your lead, and now understand.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@paulmitchell3877 The Helicon Bass Reeds are actually the Bass & Tenor Reeds that really stand out on their own

[@BoazKimMusic]

@Oscar Stern @Paul Mitchell That's right. I should have clarified that the Helikon accordions have a special extra low bass reed compared to the average accordion. They also project forward more through the decorative bells to imitate the low brass bass called the helicon (tuba).

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

5:51 What song is that?

[@AnnN1124]

Thank you, Alex! I find the button box to be totally confusing.

[@eileenmangold9976]

Me too!

[@alexmeixner]

There's aspects of it that are confusing if you think of it in relation to a piano accordion or other scalar instrument. When you think of it from major arpeggios and particularly from I-V chord relationship, it is a simple basic idea. That said, as soon as we start adding new stuff to it, it's adds in intricacy. Break it down and it's a good place to start up..

[@AnnN1124]

@@alexmeixner Thanks, Alex! It might make more sense if I actually tried to play one. The button box always sounds so happy.

[@AnnN1124]

@@alexmeixner I am looking at this video with a new set of eyes! I can't wait to learn more.

[@tipaul1]

Hello, what is the song that your played with the red hohner corona?

[@anzehiti7455]

It is said Štajerska From Slovenija

[@WHC-uz7mt]

Does anybody know the song he played on the three row?

[@alexmeixner3831]

Barn dance. Written by don cialkoszewski- the polish kid. It’s originally from his album “a whole bunch more”

[@alexmeixner]

You can also find full recordings of it by Danny Jerabek (with his former band K!CK) and Fred Ziwich.

[@beecher92099]

That's intense...looks like a very tough instrument to learn!

[@amazing7633]

They are really easy if you follow two principles. (1) First learn to play the mundharmonika, the little mouth harmonica that you probably annoyed your parents with when you were four years old. They have the same pattern of notes as their larger cousins. (2) Stick to music that fits the instrument until you learn how to "arrange on the fly." Initially that should be German, Mexican or Austrian folk music such as simple polkas and waltzes. Initially it's frustrating to try to find notes that simply aren't there, but you learn to work around the problem as you substitute or omit notes. Once you have figured out a two-row harmonika the additional rows, three or four, make it easier to find the missing notes. I play a two-row Hohner, but when I picked up a three-row model I could instantly play it with no difficulty. I found my missing notes right where I expected them to be. You'll find yourself wanting to own several of them in various keys and different configurations.

[@KyleMiller-dg6st]

last one looks like a cash register lol

[@dxzebeats]

U mean a vintage typewriter?😂

[@frankcicchillo4483]

Yak yak yak

[@lauradocter9135]

Like most of what I am finding out there in the way of accordion lessons, these are designed to keep this instrument accessible only to those who already know how to play it. It is short sighted of the accordionist, but there is a prevailing attitude of exclusivity amongst them. Why can't someone come up with true lessons for the beginner - ones that are really meant to impart learning and not just be a venue for the "ïnstructor" to show off? I mean, accordion is a dying instrument and it's no wonder. In this day and age with the ability to reach the world and pass on this art someone ought to just hunker down and do it.

[@victorchozen4205]

I bought a diatonic accordion, most lessons are in Spanish since most diatonic players are from Mexico. I bought it for Mexican music. What do you have ?