Some interesting music to learn to play on the chromatic a. Accordion? I've started with fiddling around with chord combinations, "He's a Pirate", "La Valise de Amelie" and playing some pentatonic improv stuff. And a little bit of reggae. I'd like some suggestions for pieces to learn that will help with technique - left hand fingering and two handed playing. [more inside]
posted by singingfish on Nov 8, 2009 - 0 answers

Love Yann Tiersen's earlier instrumental music. Recently discovered Sweden's "Detektivbyran," which gives me much of what I used to get from Tiersen before he moved on, without being derivative. Tried last.fm and pandora to no avail - looking for other artists mining similar territory. Bonus points for inclusion of accordion. Does not necessarily have to be done on acoustic instruments. Don't want huge sweeping orchestral statements...prefer smaller ensembles who get the point across with fewer instruments or tracks.
posted by dorgla on Oct 16, 2009 - 13 answers

Can anybody track down a version of "Tha ma ra boum de hé" or "Tah Rah Rah Boom Di Ay" performed on solo accordion (no vocals or anything)? A digital version is preferred but if I need to track down an old LP somewhere I'm willing to go on a quest.
posted by Overzealous on Oct 4, 2009 - 3 answers

Are there any stores that sell cheap toy musical instruments in Los Angeles? [more inside]
posted by speicus on Jun 25, 2009 - 9 answers

What are some good pop/rock songs that feature an accordion? I'm not looking for any polka/cajun/zydeco-influenced sounds, but more traditional rock tunes - think "The Last Beat of My Heart" by Siouxsie and the Banshees or even "What it Takes" by Aerosmith - where it's just another backing instrument.
posted by adverb on Jun 20, 2009 - 29 answers

If I wanted to learn how to play an accordion, what advice would you have, with respect to: which type of accordion, buying or renting (new or used), lessons, the best music to play, etc.?
posted by Blazecock Pileon on Jun 2, 2009 - 12 answers

Put the oomp back in my oomp pa pah. Need a reputable accordion repair shop in NYC..preferably Manhattan or Brooklyn. [more inside]
posted by spicynuts on May 3, 2009 - 2 answers

I'm interested in taking accordion and/or ukulele lessons in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Does anyone know where I might be able to take lessons? Additionally, does anyone know of places where I can rent either instrument?
posted by Waitwhat on Jul 25, 2008 - 5 answers

Accordions: Piano vs. Chromatic Button. In the long term, which is better to learn? [more inside]
posted by rottytooth on Jan 8, 2008 - 10 answers

Moldyinstrumentfilter: How can I save an accordion from near-certain death? [more inside]
posted by otolith on Aug 27, 2007 - 5 answers

I was in Amsterdam this Monday and Tuesday. Early tuesday morning I walked past a group of buskers who were playing music which changed my life. I've never heard anything like it. They looked to me to be maybe Turkish, somewhere eurasian. Two guys were keeping up a simple 2 - chord rhythm on accordions, whilst the lead guy was blasting his soul into a clarinet, playing a kind of desperate, breathy, technical jazz / polka kind of sound. It was awesome. Anyone seen these guys? Anyone know what kind of music I might have heard? Thanks in advance...
posted by sann1657 on Jun 14, 2007 - 18 answers

Where can I buy the chair featured in this video?
posted by Human Flesh on Feb 26, 2007 - 7 answers