Not that I know how to play the accordion, but since you’re looking for options, I thought I would pass on this bit of trivia from a computer magazine. Do you want to play old-fogey music, or do you want to join the 21st century with Roland’s digital accordion?
Okay, I don’t play the accordion, but I know some people who were in a polka band up nort’ (what? I’m from Wisconsin) and word on the wing is that if you find an accordion store or the like, they’ll be able to suggest an accordion based on your size, so you’re not overwhelmed by the beast.
Me? I want a concertina. That and a parrot and my dream of becoming a pirate queen will be almost complete!
Yeah – and we may need you on kazoo on some numbers.
You don’t get title billing, though – Birdmonster, twickster, and Kalhoun seems so perfect a name.
Well, either that or (snap) “The Aristocrats”!
Ooooh! I love it! Especially with the Snap!
Gotta give Drew Carey credit for the snap.
Okay – it’s official – I ordered some bongo drums and a “how-to-play” book today.
When’s our first band practice?
Don’t you think The Aristocrats line-up needs… an AUTOHARP?!
Heck, everyone needs an autoharp.
I’m not a player but have been tempted.
Texas has lots of fine accordion music. Central Europeans settled in Central Texas, bringing polkas, etc. Tejanos adapted the style. Modern Zydeco was born in Houston–Clifton Chenier added R&B to the “backyard” music of Louisiana creoles. Still lots of Zydeco played here. (This is mostly DANCE music!)
Brave Combo plays a wide range of styles–with a good bit of accordion.
I heard Mr Chenier many times. Also Flaco Jimenez–especially good when he’s sober! And Astor Piazzola–master of the Bandoneon.
www.rootsworld.com/freereed/2002/southern2002.shtml
Is there an accordion shop in your area? This Houston store has some of the “folk” styles. www.gabbanelliaccordions.com/ui/index.aspx?lang=EN&object=link&id=11
I knew a girl who took autoharp lessons. But tell me…are they actually used in recorded music? I don’t think I even know what one sounds like.
Saturday afternoon is open for me.
(Here’s hoping we don’t lose Twicks to a drum circle)
Heh. Saturday I went up to Asbury Park with a friend to see his son perform – Latin-rock band, professionals (they tour and put out CDs and everything). The son had dinner with us before the show, and he and I were talking, and I asked him about getting started on bongos – and the conversation almost immediately turned to drum circles. Turns out a friend of the son’s is a Professional Drum Circle Facilitator – does it with corporations, etc. I find that just so fabulously “I’m proud to be an American” (since we’re a country that has professional drum circle facilitators running around). Anyway, my friend has also done drum circles once or twice, and we were joking – or talking? I’m not sure… – about starting one.
Though probably without a professional facilitator. 
Not having actually participated in one, I can only perpetuate the rumor. But I hear they’re best executed by moonlight…drunk and partially clad. Any truth to that?
Gah, I hope not – either one of them (let alone both) would disqualify this staid middle-aged woman.
Sara Carter played autoharp with The (original) Carter Family.
Mother Maybelle took up autoharp when she led the next incarnation of The Carter Family–with her three daughters. She had been a influential guitarist, but I believe arthritis made the autoharp easier.
Hear The Carter Family here: The Carter Family
Bryan Bowers is today’s leading autoharp “virtuoso;” he does far more than strum.
For the next week, I live 2 miles from there.
Also Mingo Saldivar. All about Mingo Saldivar.
If you live in a place with a relatively large Hispanic population, there is a reasonable chance of there being some good accordion shops, and they probably are pretty cheap, as concertinas and accordions are a fixture in Ranchero and Tejano music.
/sitar, uke, guitar, piano player
Okay, I’ll admit it. This guy is one of my first cousins. It was excrutiating as a kid having to go to their home and listen to the cousins play thier accordians. My sibs and I were definitely not into polka.
StG
Reminds me of an old joke:
What is the definition of an optimist?
An accordion player with a beeper.
Oh! I like that instrument! All these years and I never knew what it was I was listening to. I like that kind of music in small doses. Thanks for the links!!
BTW, June is National Accordion Awareness Month.
No, seriously.