Accordion
History !
Slide Show and Lecture
from A World of Accordions Museum
Introduction to Accordion Family Instruments
'Accordions" defined (six characteristics), Diatonic and Chromatic Members, Classification (Taxonomy) and Evolution (Organology), Classification by quality
Early Instruments to ca. 1900
The first patents, Construction types, Development of Brand Names, Cultural uses, Regional developments, Diatonics dominate
Expansion and the World Market
to ca. 1930sLarger instruments, Ornate instruments, More capable instruments lead to more capable performers, Showmen's uses, Rare instruments, Button-Diatonic Accordions predominate
"Standardization" and Popularity to ca. I 950s
Shifts on the grill (Toggle and Automatic), Bellows capacities, Reed types, Predominance of41/120 Piano Accordions, Experimental types: Hybrids and Unique, Free Bass, American contributions, Virtuoso status: Schools of Performance, Conceptual realizations, variant tremolo tunings, Primary countries manufacturing and exporting: Italy, Germany
Post-WWII Production
Market domination by Italy and Germany, China enters the scene, Button-Chromatic Accordions dominate European Scene, The Moscow Experimental lab, Electronic modifications: oscillators with sound modules, acoustic samplers, MIDI
"Fine" and "World Class" Instruments, 1960s and forward
Efficiency and Capacity, Acoustic refinements, Greatness in Original Literature, Great performers demand finest instruments, Weight and size factors, Russian contributions, Primary countries: Germany (Hohner), Italy (Pigini)
October 12th, 2003 for CTAA
Helmi Harrington, Ph.D. (Musicology), U.T. grad,
Performer, national adjudicator and Grove’s contributor
Curator, A World of Accordions Museum
1401 Belknap St., Superior, WI 54880
Call Frances Brougher (512) 453-1275 for more information
* * * PLUS * * *
Workshop for Intermediate Accordionists
Learning how to learn
Concentration techniques, Choosing your repertory, Interpreting the music, Playing by ear, Basic harmony, Shaping the notes, Memorization
Making it look easy
Standing and strolling, Smiling & eye contact, Using Fake music, Transposition, "Feeling" the keys, Keyboard jumps, Relaxation, Handling problems
"Gee whiz!" effects
"Doodles", Right-hand elaboration, Improvising & embellishing, Shifts & octaves, Left-hand accompaniments & polyphony, Bellows shakes
The "real" skills
Flawless bellows changes, Good fingering, Body postures, Instrument balance, Partial key/button depression, Make the melody stand out, Technical exercises
October 12, 2003 for CTAA
Helmi Harrington, Ph.D. (Musicology), U.T. grad, national adjudicator and Grove’s contributor
Join us for this important workshop !
Please bring your accordion, music stand, favorite piece of
music, Palmer-Hughes Books 2-4,
and note-taking materials
Special music and handouts will be available
Call Frances Brougher (512) 453-1275 for more information
Central Texas Accordion Association (Austin)
15091 Fisher Hollow Tr
Leander, TX 78641
(512) 258-8546
E-mail: JLam1000@aol.com
& http://www.accordions.com/taa/austin.htm