+---------------------------------------------+ | ACCORDION FAQ (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS) |-+ +---------------------------------------------+ | +---------------------------------------------+ Revised: 9/2/93. Compiled by Alan L. Polivka, including contributions from members of the accordion mail list. (Internet: apolivka@x102a.ess.harris.com) (UUCP: uunet!x102a!apolivka) Alan Polivka P.O. Box 061904 Palm Bay, FL 32906 DISCLAIMER: I make no guarantees regarding the accuracy of any information included here. If you know of any corrections, please let me know via one of the addresses above. The following questions and answers have been compiled from messages on the accordion mail list. You can become a member of this list (if you aren't already) by simply sending an e-mail message to: accordion-request@cs.cmu.edu Please include a brief discussion of your background and/or interest in accordions when subscribing. Although the topics discussed here refer only to "accordions", most of the information is applicable to all types of accordions (diatonic, chromatic, piano-style) as well as concertinas and bandoneons. QUESTION: -------- Where can I get addresses and phone numbers for the following: 1. Where to get Accordions Repaired & Tuned 2. Accordion Dealers 3. Accordion Builders in the United States (Cajun) 4. Accordion Clubs & their Newsletters 5. Other Accordion-related Publications 6. Other Accordion Addresses ANSWER: ------ Addresses and phone numbers for the above can be found in the "address.new" file at this same site (rosalyn.stat.uga.edu). QUESTION: -------- I'd like to know of sources for accordion straps and other parts. ANSWER: ------ The dealers listed in the "address.new" file also sell straps and other accordion parts. QUESTION: -------- I'd like to know of sources for books on accordion repair. ANSWER: ------ There is only one book that I know of on accordion repair. It is available from Ernest Deffner (address is listed re "Accordion Dealers" above). This book covers everything from simple to the most complex repairs. There is also a video tape (I think Elderly Instruments might carry it, although I obtained mine from "Lark in the Morning"). The video gives introductory information, more on maintenance than repair. It is geared to most accordion users rather than to someone who wants to become an accordion repairman. QUESTION: -------- What is the best way to mic an accordion for amplification? ANSWER: ------ There are many ways to mic an accordion, each with its own set of pros and cons. After much experimenting with various types of mics for accordions, I can suggest the following: Use a voice microphone (on a mic stand) to pick up your right hand. Install a standard crystal mic element (available from all accordion supply houses - the same folks I've listed as accordion dealers) inside your accordion, mounted to one of the reed blocks to pick up the left hand. This mic will also provide some amplification for your right hand, but will give excellent bass response. When you order the mic, specify that you want one that has good low frequency response, since you'll be using it primarily for amplifying the left hand. Alternatively, you can rely on the standard approach of installing crystal mics inside the accordion to do it all. There are two different approaches for this: 1. Mount a mic inside the bellows, usually on a reed block, or 2. Mount mics under the grill for the right hand and near the bass mechanism for the left hand. These approaches (especially #1) have the advantage of allowing a little more volume before incurring feedback and also allow less restriction of player movement (you don't have to always stand in front of a microphone stand). However, the right hand sound quality will not generally be quite as good as you get when playing into an external mic on a stand. This is primarily because the built-in mics are so close that they sound harsh on notes closest to them and secondarily because of the low quality of crystal mics. Approach #1 gives better sound quality (especially for the basses) than #2 but gives you no separate control of right hand vs. left hand volume. I've also had very good performance putting electret condensor mics in accordions. These are much more complicated to install, however, and although they are better mics than crystal mics, you'll get very good results if you do what I suggest initially above. Dynamic mics (like the Cajun folks attach to the front of their accordions) have some of the advantages of both the external mic (good sound quality) and the built-in mics (freedom of movement). However, they do have one problem in that dynamic mics are very sensitive to vibrations (e.g. they pick up key noise, etc.). Yes, the typical voice mics are also dynamic mics, but if you use one attached to a floor stand rather than to your accordion, it won't pick up the unwanted vibrations (key noise, etc.) on the accordion. QUESTION: -------- One of my points of interest in getting on the mail list: working on accordions. I've never taken one of my instruments apart. What are the cautions for those of us who haven't tried this? Stuff to watch out for? Does one dare try to do tuning without the help of an expert? Are some parts easy to bust? etc. etc. ANSWER: ------ The answer to this could take up an entire volume. However, here are some overall pointers. Many of the problems with accordions are just basic mechanical problems that anyone who is handy at wood and metal working can fix. The most important thing to remember is to take the accordion apart slowly, taking time to note where each part came from so that you can put it back together correctly when you're done. There are many different sized screws, bellows pins, etc. that only fit properly in one location. Never take apart the bass mechanism of a piano accordion unless you really know what you are doing. Each button fits in exactly in one location only. Another important thing to remember is when removing the grill or taking the accordion apart at the bellows, always watch for wires that may run between the two parts (right hand side vs. left hand side). These wires are associated with the mic system (obviously only a concern if your accordion is mic'd for amplification). If the mics were installed well, there will be a connector allowing you to disconnect the wires to allow complete separation of the two pieces of the accordion. Having taking an accordion apart at the bellows, if you plan to remove a reed block, be EXTREMELY careful not to catch the leather "skins" on anything, bending them out of shape. The skins are extremely delicate and affect the sound of the accordion more than any other single item. Also, be very careful not to get any dirt, etc. on the base of the reed block. Here again, this is something that you should probably not try unless you are experienced or have such an old accordion that you don't care if damage it. Tuning, waxing, etc. requires years of practice (skill) and should best be left to the experts. QUESTION: -------- Is it possible to buy a new bellows without going through a music store? ANSWER: ------ You can buy new bellows from the major accordion supply houses that I've listed in the "address.new" file. Generally, you must send them your old bellows. They will use the original wood frame from these bellows and replace everything else (the cardboard & cloth bellows) for a couple hundred dollars. It is nearly impossible to build a new set of bellows and have them align with your accordion properly without using the old bellows frames. QUESTION: -------- Can a non-professional repair reeds which make a buzzing sound at certain air pressures? ANSWER: ------ You can try, but be very careful and patient. The problem is most likely in one of the two leather "skins" attached to the reed plate itself. Otherwise, the reed may have broken loose in the wax that holds it to the wooden reed block. However, nearly all of the improper sounds that occur on individual notes (i.e. not across the entire accordion) are caused by defects in the skins. Sometimes the skin is just bent out of shape and you can reshape it to correct the problem. However, the skins are extremely fragile, in that if you simply brush the reed block against some part of the accordion while removing it, you can bend one or more reed skins out of shape and cause more damage than you had in the first place. This is why you must be very careful and patient. If the reed plate has come loose in the wax, you can melt the wax back to it with a low wattage (25 W. or less) soldering iron. QUESTION: -------- Since I have never had any lessons my left hand playing is weak. I would be grateful for help in learning fingerings for "radically jumping chord progressions" (to chords which are not closely related to the key you're playing in), e.g. Bb-Gm-E7-F. ANSWER: ------ If you just want bass notes for these radical progressions, use your counterbasses where possible to minimize the distance you must cover with your fingers. If you are also trying to do "radially jumping chord progressions", it's just plain hard. QUESTION: -------- Where to buy a concertina? ANSWER: ------ Sources: - The Button Box, 9 East Amherst St. Amherst MA, 01003 (413-549-0171) - Concertina and Squeezebox Magazine (editor Joel Cowan deals in concertinas) and this is a MUST GET at $20 a year: Box 6706, Ithaka, NY 14851. Joel used to sell a Concertina Buyer's Guide. He may still have some. - There are other sources of course. Many of the accordion dealers listed in the "address.new" file also sell concertinas. QUESTION: -------- Is buying a used concertina a bad idea? Do concertinas basically last forever with good care, or do they wear out, require regular repair/retuning, damage very easily. ANSWER: ------ A tough call. A new Bastari is still not cheap. They are tough to work on. A good concertina should never lose its value; after all, a fine Wheatstone or Lachenal is really an antique. So if you have the dosh, you could get a good used concertina in the $1000 range. If you don't like it, you can sell it (eventually). Still a good used Bastari is all right---and think of the joy when you move up to a first rate. Good concertinas or accordions are built to last a very long time (i.e. they can outlast their owner). However, they will need certain maintenance periodically (e.g. an overhaul about every 30 years). The maintenance can be quite expensive since it is very labor intensive. So, keep the cost of repairs, overhaul and/or tuning in mind when thinking about buying a used squeezebox. If the box plays well and is in tune, and the leather skins do not make noises when you play certain notes, then you should not have much additional expense for a while. QUESTION: -------- What type of concertina should I buy, English or Anglo? ANSWER: ------ ALL the Irish players play the Anglo system--it was cheaper for one thing. For dance music the Anglo is a good choice. But Alistair Anderson and others have proved you can play with great rhythm on the English system as well. QUESTION: -------- How awkward would it be to learn on 30-button and then switch to a 48-button? ANSWER: ------ It is a LOT easier to play standing up if you use a 48-key with wooden ends than a big (e.g. 56-key) concertina. QUESTION: -------- How likely am I to pick up bad habits by teaching myself. ANSWER: ------ A friend of mine's son taught himself to play concertina. One day he noticed that everyone else was playing theirs upside down relative to the way he was doing it. Needless to say, the rest of the world was not wrong. Please make sure that you at least know which side is for the right hand vs. the left hand. QUESTION: -------- I'd be interested in knowing about buying accordions via mail order or at wholesale prices. I'm interested in diatonic button accordions, like the Hohner or Gabbanelli. However, the prices are outrageous in music stores. ANSWER: ------ If you can get Hohner accordions wholesale, it would have to be through the following: Hohner Co. of America Lakeridge Park 101 Sycamore Drive Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 550-2700 Although Hohner accordions are actually made in Trossingen, Germany, I doubt that the factory will deal directly with you since they have a distribution company here in the states. Gabbanelli accordions are made by one of the several accordion factories in Castelfidardo, Italy and probably have the Gabbanelli name put on them here in the US. (That's how all of the "American" accordion companies do it these days, except for the Cajun accordion companies around Lafayette, LA who actually make most of the accordions here in the US). If you can get Gabbanelli accordions wholesale, it would have to through: John Gabbanelli (this is his business address) 9402 Bevlyn Houston, TX 77025 (713) 668-9084 (both phone and fax) Other accordion company addresses can be found in the "address.new" file at this same site. If you would like to contribute to the Accordion FAQ, please forward your input to: apolivka@x102a.ess.harris.com - or - Alan Polivka P.O. Box 061904 Palm Bay, FL 32906 and I will add it to the list. All inputs are very much appreciated. From apolivka@x102a.ess.harris.com Tue Jul 6 21:17:51 1993 Here are some addresses of accordion related publications: The Polka News PO Box #57 St. Charles, MI 48655 Subscription costs $17/yr for 24 issues. It is about a 20 page newspaper, with lots of pictures, a listing of polka bands and polka dances across the country. Many more of both than I'd ever have thought. There are numerous accordion associations across the country. Each has a newsletter. Here are some: Friends of the Accordion (FOTA) 15210 Sherman Way, Suite 50 Van Nuys, CA 91405 Membership costs $25/yr. 500 members all over the world. President is Alice Hall, a well known jazz accordionist. Several other famous accordionists are members. Texas Accordion Association, Inc. 11240 Drummond Drive Dallas, TX 75228 Membership costs $10/yr. This is another one of the largest in the US. It has over 300 members in 30 states and 3 countries. It meets monthly in 4 different cities in Texas (Ft. Worth, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio). Chicago Accordion Club (newsletter is "Accordiana") c/o Jimmy Dee 8052 S. Octavia Bridgeview, IL 60455 Membership costs $24/yr. Accordion World (magazine) 465 NE 181st, #213 Portland, OR 97230 This is a really nice publication, of which I've seen a few copies. It's a new version of the original A.W. from the 40' - 60's. I've tried to subscribe twice, both times sending a check to the above address, but both times there was absolutely no response. Does anyone know what the status is on this publication? Northwest Accordion News (NW Accordion Society newsletter) 5116 9th Ave NW, #1 Seattle, WA 98107 Subscription costs $15/yr. New England Accordion Society J. Tinkham PO Box 6248 Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107 membership costs $5/yr. The Accordion News The Accordion For All (International) Limited The New Inn, Pound Green Arley, Near Button Oak, Bewdley Worcestershire, DY12 3LT England subscription costs $25 (10 pounds). the Reed Block, publication of ALSI (Accordion Lovers Society International) Note that this had been published by Harold Estok in San Diego, CA until he passed away in December. Someone else may have taken over the publication - does any one out there on the mail list know for sure? Subscription costs $13/yr. Accordion Teacher's Guild Editor: Lisa Ann Cleveland 632 Hevey St Manchester, NH 03102 Concertina & Squeezebox Magazine PO Box 2343 Bellingham, WA 98227 The Squeezebox Gazette Publication of the Central Ohio Accordionist's Association & the Central Ohio Button Box Club Editor - Bill Antoniak Associate - Jesse Petrella 153 Valley Dr, NE Newark, OH 43055 World Accordion Association Tony Torriglia is thinking of starting the WAA for existing accordion clubs that publish newsletters to enter into a reciprocal program of exchanging newsletters in hopes of encouraging and developing good communication between clubs and accordion devotees. Each established club would become a member of the WAA and in essence become chapters rather than individual entities. He could set up a computer bulletin board. Send your thoughts, comments and suggestions to Tom Torriglia, c/o BAAC, 48 Pope St. San Francisco, CA 94112. BAAC (I assume this is Bay Area Accordion Club) 48 Pope St. San Francisco, CA 94112. Milwaukee Accorion Club president: Tony Gorenc address not known Golden Age of Accordion (book) is available from: Flynn Associates 917 Antler Dr. Schwertz, TX 78154 for the price of $29.95 plus $5 S&H in US ($7 outside US) and 7 1/4% sales tax if TX resident. I highly recommend this book. Lots of US accordion history along with many addresses. Alan ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Al Polivka Internet: apolivka@x102a.ess.harris.com Harris Corporation UUCP: uunet!x102a!apolivka Electronic Systems Sector phone: 407-729-2983 Melbourne, FL 32902 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ +-------------------------------------------+ | ACCORDION ADDRESSES AND PHONE NUMBERS |-+ +-------------------------------------------+ | +------------------------------------------+ Revised 9/2/93 by Alan L. Polivka P.O. Box 061904 Palm Bay, FL 32906 (Internet: apolivka@x102a.ess.harris.com) (UUCP: uunet!x102a!apolivka) DISCLAIMER: I make no guarantees regarding the accuracy of any information included here. If you know of any corrections, please let me know via one of the addresses above. This file is organized in the following topics: 1. Where to get Accordions Repaired & Tuned 2. Accordion Dealers 3. Accordion Builders 4. Accordion Clubs & their Newsletters 5. Other Accordion-related Publications 6. Other Accordion Addresses Although the topics listed here refer only to "accordions", most of the names and addresses given are involved with all types of accordions (diatonic, chromatic, piano-style) as well as concertinas and bandoneons. 1. WHERE TO GET ACCORDIONS REPAIRED & TUNED: -------------------------------------------- It is wise to get references on any accordion repairman before entrusting your instrument to that person. Mario Mosti RD2, Box 287 Jeannette, PA 15644 (412) 834-7360 Don Krance 831 E. 239 Street Cleveland, Ohio 44123 Leon Zukowski River Country Estates 5226 Suwannee Rd. Spring Hill, FL 34607-2356 (904) 596-8147 Steve's Accordion Repair Shop (Steve Navoyosky) 1972 Countryside Dr. Salem, Ohio 44460 Benze Rathbone 244 Hallam St. Meadowlands, PA 15301 (412) 225-6449 John Buday (he also does accordion engraving) 737 Highland Ave. Wadsworth, Ohio (near Cleveland) (216) 335-0426 Idineo Torres (well know Conjunto style accordion tuner in Rio Grande Valley) (if anyone knows his address and/or phone #, please send it to apolivka@x102a.ess.harris.com) Johnny Degollado Austin, Texas (if anyone knows his address and/or phone #, please send it to apolivka@x102a.ess.harris.com) Helmi Harrington instructor for the former accordion repair course at Red Wing College in Minnesota (if anyone knows her address and/or phone #, please send it to apolivka@x102a.ess.harris.com) Accordion repairs as well as supplies can also be obtained from the accordion dealers listed below. 2. ACCORDION DEALERS: --------------------- The Accordion Exchange 3865 Clover Valley Rd. Rocklin, CA (916) 624-2900 Accordion-O-Rama 16 West 19th St. New York City, NY 10011 (212) 675-9089 Michael J. Arralde Accordion Company 1023 SW 136th Seattle, WA 98166 (206) 241-5500 A. Baldoni (owner of Baldoni accordion company) 714 E. Brady St. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 (414) 276-4969 Bell Duovox Corp. (Aldo Mencaccini) 126 Route 303 W. Nyack, NY 10994 (914) 353-3515 Browns Music 2208 So. Broadway New Ulm, MN 56073 (507) 354-3615 Castiglione Importers/Exporters 13300 East 11 Mile - Suite A Warren, Michigan 48089-1367 (313) 755-6050 Columbo & Sons Accordion Corp. 1201 Andersen Drive Suite O San Rafael, CA 94901 (415) 457-2222 Ernest Deffner (Owner of Titano & Pancordion & US rep for Crucianelli accordion companies. The company is now owned, I believe, by Faithe Deffner, Ernest's widow.) 230 Hericks Rd. PO Box 608 Mineola, NY 11501 (516) 746-3100 Excelsior Accordions Inc. Fort Hill Village - Yorktown Building Scarsdale, NY 10583 John Gabbanelli (this is the business address for Gabbanelli accordions) 9402 Bevlyn Houston, TX 77025 (713) 668-9084 (both phone and fax) Giulietti Accordion Corp. 3 Cross St Westfield, MA 01085 (413) 562-1584 Hohner Co. of America Lakeridge Park 101 Sycamore Dr. Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 550-2700 Italo-American Accordion Manufacturing Company 3137 West 51st Street Chicago, Ill 60632 Phone: 776-2992 LoDuca 400 N. Broadway Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 (414) 347-0700 Petosa Accordions 313 NE 45th St. Seattle, WA 98105 (206) 632-2700 Spano Accordion Center (Tonaveri Accordions) 2002 So. 272nd St. Kent, WA 98032 (206) 946-0338 SYN-CORDION Musical Instrument Corporation (Iorio Accordions & Sano) 117 Cedar Lane Englewood, NJ 07631 (201) 568-7943 FOLK INSTRUMENTS ---------------- Elderly Instruments 1100 N. Washington PO Box 14210 Lansing, MI 48901 (517) 372-7890 Lark In The Morning PO Box 1176 Mendocino, CA 95460 phone: (707) 964-5569 Dave Mallinson Hobgoblin Music 35 Bradford Road 17 Northgate Parade Cleckheaton Crawley West Yorkshire West Sussex BD19 3JN RH10 2DT (0274) 879768 (0293) 515858 "Dave Mallinson" and "Hobgoblin" are specialist suppliers of folk instruments. As well as being music shops, they are also reputable suppliers by mail order. Dave Mallinson has an especially high reputation among folk musicians. 3. ACCORDION BUILDERS: ---------------------- There are at least 40 accordion manufacturers in Castelfidardo, near Ancona, Italy. Except for the Cajun accordion builders in Louisiana, Castelfidardo is where the "US accordion companies" actually get their accordions. Many of these Italian accordion manufacturers will probably repair accordions as well. The cost of postage and the risk of damage during shipping must be considered, if sending from the US. The Hohner accordion & harmonica factory is located in Trossingen, Germany. However, their Morino line of accordions are made in Italy, I believe. The only kind of accordions that are actually manufactured in the USA are Cajun style accordions. Here are some of these accordion builders: Moisey Baudoin ("Vermilion" brand accordions) 510 E. Putman Erath, LA 70533 (318) 937-6454 John Elton Doucet ("Cajun Accordion" brand accordions) Rt. 4 Box 400 Church Point, LA 70525 (318) 684-6495 Andrew Jagneaux ("Cajun Roots" brand accordions) Rt. 3 Box 10B Church Point, LA 70525 (318) 684-2672 Alvin Leger ("Leger" brand accordions) 7912 Lognion Rd. Bell City, LA 70630 (318) 622-3492 Junior Martin ("Martin" brand accordions) 2143 W. Willow St. Scott, LA 70583 (318) 232-4001 Larry G. Miller ("Bon Tee Cajun" brand accordions) Rt. 1 Box 396 Iota, LA 79543 (318) 779-2456 Laten T. Miller ("Cajun Classic" brand accordions) Lake Charles, LA 70605 (318) 478-4154 Marc Savoy ("Acadian" brand accordions) PO Box 941 Eunice, LA 70535 (318) 457-9563 4. ACCORDION CLUBS & THEIR NEWSLETTERS: --------------------------------------- There are numerous accordion clubs across the country. Each has a newsletter. Here are some: Friends of the Accordion (FOTA) 15210 Sherman Way, Suite 50 Van Nuys, CA 91405 Membership costs $25/yr. 500 members all over the world. President is Alice Hall, a well known jazz accordionist. Several other famous accordionists are members. Newsletter is called "Bellows". Texas Accordion Association, Inc. 11240 Drummond Drive Dallas, TX 75228 Membership costs $10/yr. This is another one of the largest in the US. It has over 300 members in 30 states and 3 countries. It meets monthly in 4 different cities in Texas (Ft. Worth, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio). Newsletter is called "Accordion-Gram". Chicago Accordion Club c/o Jimmy Dee 8052 S. Octavia Bridgeview, IL 60455 Membership costs $24/yr. Newsletter is called "Accordiana". Northwest Accordion Society 5116 9th Ave NW, #1 Seattle, WA 98107 Subscription costs $15/yr. Newsletter is "Northwest Accordion News". New England Accordion Society J. Tinkham PO Box 6248 Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107 membership costs $5/yr. ALSI (Accordion Lovers Society International) 4475 Landis Street San Diego, CA 92105 newsletter is called "the Reed Block". Subscription costs $13/yr. Milwaukee Accordion Club 7116 West Allerton Greenfield, Wi. 53220 president: Tony Gorenc. Newsletter is "Accordion Express". Reno Accordion Club 1060 Joshua Drive Reno, Nevada 89509 (702) 322-1060 Ed Suterko, president - (above address & phone) Don Evans, Sec-Tres-VP 988 Mesa Ridge Drive, No. 4 Sparks, Nevada 89434 (702) 331-3132 Northern Utah Accordion Club c/o Max Robison, president 1727 N. Moor Lane Orem, Utah 84057 The Accordionist Box 20432 Kansas City, Mo. 64195 Five Valley Accordion Assoc. 3023 Old Pond Missoula, Mt. 59802 Central Ohio Accordionist's Association & the Central Ohio Button Box Club Newsletter is called: "The Squeezebox Gazette". Editor - Bill Antoniak Associate - Jesse Petrella Westmont accordion Club Westmont, NJ (if anyone knows the address and/or phone #, please send it to apolivka@x102a.ess.harris.com) Pitman Accordion Club Pitman, NJ (if anyone knows the address and/or phone #, please send it to apolivka@x102a.ess.harris.com) Those Darn Accordions (a very non-traditional, high profile group, to say the least) 2269 Chestnut St #183 San Francisco, CA 94123 (415) 346-5862 BAAC (Bay Area Accordion Club) 48 Pope St. San Francisco, CA 94112. The World Button Accordion Association, Inc. 710 West Shore Drive Richardson, Texas 75080 (214) 238-8756 5. OTHER ACCORDION-RELATED PUBLICATIONS: ---------------------------------------- Golden Age of Accordion (book) is available from: Flynn Associates 917 Antler Dr. Schwertz, TX 78154 for the price of $29.95 plus $5 S&H in US ($7 outside US) and 7 1/4% sales tax if TX resident. I highly recommend this book. Lots of US piano accordion history along with many addresses. The Polka News PO Box #57 St. Charles, MI 48655 Subscription costs $17/yr for 24 issues. It is about a 20 page newspaper, with lots of pictures, a listing of polka bands and polka events across the country. Many more of both than I'd ever have thought. Texas Polka Music Association PO Box 800183 Houston, TX 77280 Publication is "Texas Polka News". Subscription costs $15. Accordion World (magazine) 465 NE 181st, #213 Portland, OR 97230 "The Accordion News" The Accordion For All (International) Limited The New Inn, Pound Green Arley, Near Button Oak, Bewdley Worcestershire, DY12 3LT England subscription costs $25 (10 pounds). Concertina and Squeezebox P.O. Box 6706 Ithaca, NY 14851 The Button Box 9 East Pleasant Street Amherst, Massachusetts 01002 telephone (413) 549-0171 6. OTHER ACCORDION ADDRESSES: ----------------------------- American Accordion Musicological Society 334 S. Broadway Pitman, NJ 08071 World's Largest Private Accordion Collection (in Guiness Book of Records) Vince Kondreck Sheboigan, Wisconsin (414) 452-8465 Accordion Teacher's Guild Newsletter Editor: Lisa Ann Cleveland 632 Hevey St Manchester, NH 03102 American Accordionists' Association contact: Faithe Deffner PO Box 616 Mineola, NY 11501 This may not be the actual address for the association, but if not, I'm sure that Faithe Deffner can point you in the right direction. If anyone learns of a more appropriate address for the A.A.A., please let me know at the e-mail address below. Closet Accordion Players of America (303) 493-1286 I don't know if this is a legitimate organization or not. Does anyone else out there in net-land know? If you know of any additional accordion-related addresses and/or phone numbers, please forward them to: apolivka@x102a.ess.harris.com - or - Alan L. Polivka P.O. Box 061904 Palm Bay, FL 32906 and I will add them to the list. All inputs are very much appreciated. Other Questions posed on the mailing list: ----------------------------------------- From koosman@utkvx.utk.edu Wed Jul 21 13:04:51 1993 tom@marie.stat.uga.edu (Tom Root) writes: >Can someone please explain what Morris Dance is and about its >relationship to the accordion/concertina? Okay. Morris dancing is a folk dance of British origin, with roots in 15th Century Spain, we think. (Some people think it's an ancient pagan ritual, but never mind.) Dancers wear pads of bells, ribbons, matched costumes consisting of (usually white) long or short pants, white shirts, and vests (waistcoats if your British) or "baldrics" (crossed sashes). The dances are energetic, danced on the balls of the feet with a lot of hopping and leaping. It's typically performed outdoors, which is where the squeezeboxes come in. Traditional instrument is pipe and tabor, sometimes fiddle, but since the 19th Century melodeons and concertinas (usually Anglo-) have become increasingly popular because, as you all no doubt realize, they do a bang up job of filling the air with noise in the absence of artificial amplification. They also excel at a certain punchy sound that fits the dancing and ambience particularly well. There's a discussion list for morris dancing which I'll be happy to provide info on if anyone cares to email me about it. Joel Cowan, the _Concertina and Squeezebox_ editor, has indicated that he plans to dedicate an issue to morris dancing (& music) sometime in 1994. -Toby Koosman (morris dancer & musician) Knoxville, Tennessee USA From: tom (Tom Root) Hello, I'm hoping someone has some advise for me about a problem with my accordion. When my accordion has been in the case for several days, the metal edges of the bellows stick together. The temperature here (in my house) is in the high 70s and the humidity is about the same. I've thought of using lighter fluid to clean the metal rims, slicone spray to prevent sticking, teflon spray, talcum powder. My fear is that the bellows sticking together will somehow rip the delicate corners when they release suddenly. What's the right way to ease this sticking and potential for damage? tom root From tbsamsel@dg11svarmd.er.usgs.GOV Tue Jun 29 08:56:41 1993 Re: sticking bellows... Try a bag of silica gel dessicant in the case..... I had a stuck reed on my Pellegrini and it fixed it right up. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ted Samsel..TBSAMSEL@QVARSA.ER.USGS.GOV..(use if dg11svarmd.er.usgs.gov is not responsive) From @UGA.CC.UGA.EDU:LKILLICK@ESOC.BITNET Tue Jun 29 09:02:48 1993 All bellows stick a little when they are pressed tightly together for some time - the question is how bad is your sticking problem and what causes it... The corners should be quite robust, that's what they're there for, a short pop or crack from each corner as you pull the bellows apart the first time after getting the accordeon out is not unusual. If it is worse than this - is the problem caused by the bellows themselves, or by the atmosphere in which they've been used. For example, regular playing in smokey rooms will leave a nice sticky deposit on the bellows (not to mention the keys, the reeds and everything else), which will need to be cleaned up regularly. In this case, cleaning the metal corners will help - lighter fluid works, but be very careful: put the fluid onto a piece of cloth and rub ONLY the metal with the cloth. Don't let the fluid get anywhere near the card, and preferably not the calico either. The other possibility is that the bellows have been overhauled sometime and the corners and the calico have been fitted with the wrong sort of glue, which is now slowly releasing its stickyness out through and around the material and causing your problem. This case is bad news, as the bellows will have to be stripped and recovered, and as soon as possible - as the glue will also be eating through the card on the inside of the bellows. Len. End of Message From lc1r+@andrew.cmu.edu Tue Jun 29 09:19:19 1993 One thing that might help, given the temperatures and humidity in your house is to not store your accordion in its case. That is, keep it up high on a shelf out of the case and use the case only when you are traveling. This was suggested to me by Rick Epping, accordion and harmonica person for Hohner and concertina/harmonica player extraordinaire (at the same time!!!). Lori Cole From: apolivka@x102a.ess.harris.com (polivka al 60047) If it is only the metal corners that are sticking, I agree with using a solvent to clean them off. The traditional solvent used for cleaning most metal accordion parts is benzene (which I believe is the same as lighter fluid and cleaning fluid). However, benzene is highly carcinogenic. Therefore, if you use it, be very careful to avoid breathing the fumes as well as exposing skin to it. I use heavy duty chemical handling gloves whenever I use benzene and do it outside. Whenever possible, I use alcohol instead. It is not generally as powerful, but will usually get the job done more safely. I would try alcohol to clean the metal corners. Alan