Can the accordion be self-taught?

Question

I want to learn to play accordion but can not track down a teacher and would probably struggle to pay for lessons being a poor student (I can get the accordion as a present). Is it possible to learn to play from a book or would this be too difficult. I already play piano and violin and while I know people teach themselves piano I can't imagine trying to self teach violin.

Answer 1

I'm in the same boat as you, as my dad left me an accordion (it's a big one and I have no idea where to begin, I can't even get it to make any sound yet!). But, I played the trumpet back in high school, can read music, and am willing to at least TRY to teach myself. (I can afford a teacher, but methinks I'm too old and cantankerous to want to mess with a teacher, unless it's a really nice one like that lady LynnMarie who plays with the Boxhounds).

Anyway, I'm looking at a few sites that offer instructional videos/DVDs/books for self-teaching of the accordion (I have not ordered and/or tried any of these, so these are just suggestions):

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product?sku=906554&src=00633

http://www.samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?ItemID=53216&ovchn=YAH&ovcpn=Yahoo+SSP&ovcrn=53216&ovtac=PI&AffiliateID=330

http://www.stagepass.com/instruction/video/browse_items.hperl?instrument=accordion

Also, here's a good site that talks about accordion for beginners, with some useful and encouraging information:

http://online-accordion.com/news/news/how-to-play-the-accordion.html

Oh and just for fun, here is LynnMarie and the Boxhounds doing "Squeeze Box Polka" on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-ApyDK0uKM&mode=related&search=

Good night, and good luck. Col. Kurtz.

Answer 2

Any instrument can be self taught. In fact some of the best musicians taught themselves how to play instruments. If someone is interested enough they will take the time to learn and if they practice enough they will become good. Besides, who taught the original inventor of the accordion? Didn't that person had to teach him/herself?

Answer 3

Hi m8, I self taught myself on a 120 base piano accordian, if you can play the piano its jus the case of masztering the base and to you that should be easy. I traded my £2000 Honner accordian and bought my 2 sons a brand new 48 bass Bailey each but they tried it once and that was it. I cannot play as I have nerve damage to my hands and fingers etc.

Would you do me a favour, I notice you play the violin I would love to learn to play but it's not like the accordian where you know where keys are etc. All I want is for someone to tell me the basics, would you help me in this? Jimmy Essex uk

PS. What Drew says is true, sounds musical as he drinks Iron Bru, my prob is I suffered a Brain haemmorrhage in jan 1994 and 16 mini strokes plus lots more including kidney failure. My concentration to read a book has gone, I cannot read music, I bought an accordian one day, i couldnot play a note , 2 nights later I was out playing 3 tunes over and over for a group of pensioners in a home, thank god they were mutton

My first thre tunes were , Amazing grace, The northern lights of old Aberdeen, The old rugged cross which my deceaced Nan loved me to play for her along with Amazing Grace and One day at a time. It upsets me playing these tunes on my keyboard as she use to cry as I played, and before any of you cocky gits out there say something, no it wasn't my c..p playing so there got in b4 u did.

Answer 4

you sure can. I to play the piano and violin and my mum bought me an accordion cos i always wanted to have a play on one. I have never had lessons but if your finding it a bit difficult then pop along to the local music shop and purchase a self teaching accordion book they aren't expensive. Have fun

Answer 5

Go into your local music shop and ask them for a list of tutors in the area. I work in a music shop and we have this available to customers. There aren't a lot of tutor books for accordion available, and teaching yourself would be a difficult task. Try your local music shop.

Answer 6

My next door neighbour tried to self teach themselves the accordian and he was pretty good, but gave up. Maybe it's one of those things you can get so far with then need some exrtra help.

Answer 7

my accordian fetches my slippers and always uses a litter tray for his mess and ive no idea how he learned that so i guess that they can be self taught......

Answer 8

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Answer 9

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Answer 10

everybody kinda hates accordions . try electric guitar . sorry im bored . :-) :-) :-)