Skill level required to be in a band?

Hey everyone.

I'm just posting this, as one of our band members (pianist/keyboardist) has recently got an accordion, and is now set on playing the accordion in the band.

My question is, what skill level does he need to reach before playing in a band? How many songs does he need to learn?

...my buddy left his accordion in his van..the other night and got broke into....in the morning he found 3 accordions!....

Depends on the band and the song.

I learned three blues licks and one little straight harp line on harmonica. John Popper I'm not, but for three or four songs a night I can get by.

How many songs does he need to learn?

Same number he plans on playin' live

...my buddy left his accordion in his van..the other night and got broke into....in the morning he found 3 accordions!....

Two guys at a bar...bartender slams the phone down and screams.

First guy says, what's the problem...Bartender:It's New Year's Eve and the band just cancelled.

Second guy: Well we're musicians...I play accordian and my friend plays trombone. We can fill in.

Bartender agrees...Band rocks the house...Crowd goes wild.

Bartender says: You guys are great. I want to book you for next New Years.

First guy: That would be great...Can we leave our gear here?

What is a musician with perfect pitch?


Somebody who can throw an accordian all the way across the room, into the toilet, without hitting the rim.

I think the most important thing in order to be able to play in a band is good sense of timing. The rest is just practising the songs in the setlist.

Same number he plans on playin' live

This.

I should add that they should be the same songs, too

Same number he plans on playin' live

Just as long as he knows when to play it and when to put it away. Accordion does not fit in many songs...unless you're in a Polka or Cajun band!!! :roll:

-Jagg

.....martinr....wrongnoterod......LOL..LOL....

and is now set on playing the accordion in the band.



My first question to him would be "what band?" This should have the same affect as whent he drummer comes in and says "hey guys, I just wrote this song and....."

Be sure and shake his hand and tell him how much you enjoyed having him around.

I've been doing this 36 years now and I never once recall saying "man, if we just had an accordian player....."

Hey everyone.

I'm just posting this, as one of our band members (pianist/keyboardist) has recently got an accordion, and is now set on playing the accordion in the band.

My question is, what skill level does he need to reach before playing in a band? How many songs does he need to learn?

Start with "one."

Could be great, could fall flat. I'd give it a shot though.

You really can't prepare for being in a band without being in a band. You can learn the songs, but until you stand with other people and try to put it all together, you will never acquire the skills to be in a band.

The best thing to do is just start jamming with people. That's how you learn the required skill to be in a band. :mrgreen:

Hook these two up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx1MSC4y2u8

Accordions are awesome. Sorry to all you people hauling out the same tired jokes, but it's the truth.

He's playing piano (not diatonic button) accordion, right? So he's already mastered the right-hand half of the instrument. If he's a good keyboard player and band member -- i.e. if he listens well, has good rhythm, and conducts himself and his instrument in a socially responsible manner -- he'll probably be good on the accordion too.

3 chords for a start. More the a few thousand 3 chord songs out there.

I'm sorry to learn of the impending demise of your band. Still, all things come to an end both good and bad. Perhaps a small dinner party to celebrate past achievements, and experiences of a better time.:sad::sad:

**Accordion, the disease no one talks about or is ever entirely comfortable with.

Accordions are awesome. Sorry to all you people hauling out the same tired jokes, but it's the truth.



Mama said it takes all kinds. She also said accordians are the debble. You're welcome to your opinion but I just don't like that vomit taste I get when I'm around 'em.

Hey everyone.

I'm just posting this, as one of our band members (pianist/keyboardist) has recently got an accordion, and is now set on playing the accordion in the band.

My question is, what skill level does he need to reach before playing in a band? How many songs does he need to learn?

Kinda depends on the band, eh? This one's yours, so it's up to you all. How many songs do you want to hear it on? It's not like there's a bunch of setup or axe-switching logistics to worry about. Start simple, let it find its place.

If he's a decent keyboardist I'm sure he can sell it to a crowd (better than the comedians in this thread could peddle comedy :roll:) I think accordion brings great texture to Americana/Rootsy type stuff and is kick-a$$ in Celtic-Punk. Ballads - for sure. Unplugged...Bakersfield....Tex-Mex....just my dos centavos....

What is a musician with perfect pitch?


Somebody who can throw an accordian all the way across the room, into the toilet, without hitting the rim.

Perfect Pitch may be defined as the sound an accordian makes when it hits a banjo in the garbage can. :mrgreen:

better than the comedians in this thread could peddle comedy :roll

I hope you aren't including my replies in this. I may try to find humor in a way to say it but I'm never more serious than when I say no accordians on MY stage. One of us would have to leave at that point. And it's my booking so.....

Hey everyone.

I'm just posting this, as one of our band members (pianist/keyboardist) has recently got an accordion, and is now set on playing the accordion in the band.

My question is, what skill level does he need to reach before playing in a band? How many songs does he need to learn?

And my question is what genre of music are you playing that needs and accordion, Zydeco, Irish Folk tunes, Polish Polka's, Italian Wedding Music?

Just curious since that's not an instrument you find in many rock bands unless you're trying to be very, very eclectic.

Skill level needed, since you asked. If he plays keys the transition shouldn't be all that tough should it? I would think that any song he already plays on key's he could handle on an accordion once he has the basics mastered. I mean if he sounds all that bad ask him not to play it.

...my buddy left his accordion in his van..the other night and got broke into....in the morning he found 3 accordions!....


Only two more????? Around here he could have collected enough to open and accordion shop. :mrgreen:

It depends on the band.

My question is, what skill level does he need to reach before playing in a band?

It's an accordian. Once the audience sees it, they're going to leave, so as long as it can't be heard from the parking lot I wouldn't worry.

Hey everyone.

I'm just posting this, as one of our band members (pianist/keyboardist) has recently got an accordion, and is now set on playing the accordion in the band.

My question is, what skill level does he need to reach before playing in a band? How many songs does he need to learn?

A) When he plays something on it and everybody says: thats COOL!
Then he'll be good enough.

Are you in Minnesota? Polka band? Only need one big long song, then it will be good, by golly!

we had a guy who played steel and accordian... he never learned kicks or endings, but he added a nice sound to the band...

I fussed at him for not learning 'the song' (like the kick) and he quit. I've regretted it ever since... I loved how the accordian sounded... and he didn't overplay...

why not listen to how it sounds...

one of the coolest acts I ever saw (in vegas) was a four piece band doing free ride and frankenstein one guy on accordian.. crazy good.

Pretty sure accordions are awesome. Skill level, that's up to you. As long as you practice enough to have the songs down, it really doesn't matter what his skill level is as long as it works for your overall creative vision.











IMO

(you guys should be making fun of ukes, not accordions)

Mama said it takes all kinds. She also said accordians are the debble. You're welcome to your opinion but I just don't like that vomit taste I get when I'm around 'em.

People who play accordion like it's an accordion should be shot. Or join a polka, tejano, or zydeco band. A guy who can play one like its a B3 or similar organ can be an asset indeed, in a lot of different musical situations. Very unique sound those things have, and when played non-traditionally, can be very cool.

Edit: I once wrote a song about accordions, have to see if I can find the recording. My best friend and I did it one night when we realized he owns nearly a dozen accordions. He does not play accordion. This is NE Ohio, which used to be one of the biggest polka hotspots on the country. I would bet that 70% or better of Cleveland area households have an accordion stashed somewhere in a closet that belonged to a now dead relative. For some reason, every time my buddy goes to a big family gathering, somebody says "you're a musician, we thought maybe you could use this", and he ends up with another accordion.:lol: His collection is getting pretty nice.

Tom Waits and Calexico might disagree, among others

Take note of unusual and abrupt changes in hairstyle, clothes, and diet. Then call the police if he grows a fu-man-chu.

Check Flaco of the Texas Tornados...awesome accordian player, not to mention the band is pretty good, too!

Ask the fellow in Polka Floyd!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWH-bZP2JGo

I was in a band once with a guitarist who decided to learn the fiddle (we did some Alabama songs). I swear in TWO WEEKS he was on stage with that fiddle- didn't sleep much in that two weeks, I believe...

Ask the fellow in Polka Floyd!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWH-bZP2JGo

Or Brave Combo (http://www.brave.com/bo)

from their web site:

What kind of music do they play?

To name a few styles: polka, waltz, schottische, mambo, two-step, hora, rhumba, cumbia, salsa, merengue, guaguanco, huapango, ska, samba, cha cha, stroll, foxtrot, Muzak, twist, ondo, tango, oberek, bubblegum, bossa nova, ranchera, charanga, bolero, dirge, conjunto, zydeco. Oh, yeah...and rock.

I saw them once where they had dueling accordions mashing out some Hendrix. Almost as strange as Dred Zeppelin (but that's a whole 'nother thread)

Cheers,
Doug

You mean Grammy Award winning Brave Combo. (They are from my neck of the woods, love them.)

When I saw John Mellencamp a few years ago, he had an accordion player the whole show and he even did a section with him and the fiddler. I was quite impressed how well it fit into the texture of the band.

A little accordian is fine - depends on the group make up and the music how much you use it. Don't knock it.

There was a guy in San Diego back in the eighties who would pull out Hendrix tunes on his accordion. He was so good it was unreal. Ever hear an accordion fake Marshall feedback? I have. Changed how I'll look at that instrument forever.

Much respect for the accordion. Peace out.

Eric Melvin of NOFX plays Accordion in a couple songs, and he sucks at it. Then again, all of NOFX suck.. Then again, they're punk.

The accordion was a mainstay of my brother's old band, Joe Michalewicz & The Bradors. They were a Rock/Polka band named after a cheap high Canadian beer with a high alcohol content.

Eric Melvin of NOFX plays Accordion in a couple songs, and he sucks at it. Then again, all of NOFX suck.. Then again, they're punk.

Dude Nofx is climbing to be one of the best punk bands of all time in my opinion. They have been solid for decades. A little coke and heroin will get them a little sloppy sure but overall, they don't suck at all. IMHO if the accordion sounded good, it would suck lol just my 2 cents

UQx2KkLfW4M

One of my all time favorite bumper stickers:

Use an accordian, go to jail.

Mama said it takes all kinds. She also said accordians are the debble. You're welcome to your opinion but I just don't like that vomit taste I get when I'm around 'em.

ROFL .... I like your style :lol:

One of the guys I play with whips out an accordion occasionally. Nothing wrong with it played well like any other instrument.

An old friend was very entertaining on the accordion. He did a solo thing where he would run through all kinds of stuff like Wagner, 2001 space odysee, star wars, and old pop songs. Funny as all get out, but not your typical band thing.

Well, most of you are bringing this up as a novelty. Ok. My buddy plays the bells and was on the tonight show. That said, he can bring his sax anytime, being a world class woodwind player, but he's got to leave the bells and table at home. If you had an accordian going song after song for 4 hours night after night, well, this is why we have laws in this country. I shudder to think what would happen to all of those simple minded accordian players.

Since this is a TELECASTER forum I just bet even money that most of us don't play in polka bands full time. Maybe from time to time but I bet it's not your regular gig. Once in a while is a novelty. But giving somebody a full cut to make you insane? That's what chick singers are for. Like Groucho said "I love my cigar too but I take it out of my mouth once in a while."

[QUOTE=DavidP;4375272]Ask the fellow in Polka Floyd!!
mWH-bZP2JGo

Polka Floyd nearly blew my mind. Interesting project. Cool guitars. Reverends? Not perfect or anything, but kinda fun.

I read an interesting thread a couple of months ago on TGP.

A 44 year old ex-soldier said he had just went on tour with a rockabilly
band. The strange part is he hasnt been playing that long, and he said
he was not even that good.

He knew the band and their other guitarist flaked out and they asked
him to fill in on the spur of the moment.

I listened to the youtube clips he posted and they sounded fine.

Skill level required to be in a band?

Enough to get along with the other members!

/that is all

... If you had an accordian going song after song for 4 hours night after night, well, this is why we have laws in this country. I shudder to think what would happen to all of those simple minded accordian players.



You guys have never been to a Zydeco band show?

Here in atlanta, for awhile there was a very active Zydeco scene. Bands had fun, sounded good, place would be packed to the rafters with people dancing.

Good stuff. Accordion on full blast all the time, too.

No, I have not. I have no idea who zydeco is and if there are accordions involved I can only hope it stays that way.

If you play less, you'll sound better. Seriously. Who wants to hear a 20 minute guitar solo. BB King plays maybe 55 notes in a whole song. He's done pretty well with that.

Just as long as he knows when to play it and when to put it away. Accordion does not fit in many songs...unless you're in a Polka or Cajun band!!! :roll:

-Jagg

Have you ever listened to the Texas Tornados? They played a lot of music with a great accordianist and sounded pretty good to me. The instrument doesn't define the music, the musician does.

He needs to play well enough to sound good with the band. If it sounds like the decision makers want it to sound, let him play it. If it doesn't, suggest he look for an opportunity to play it elsewhere, or just stick to keys.

Depends on the band and the song.

I learned three blues licks and one little straight harp line on harmonica. John Popper I'm not, but for three or four songs a night I can get by.

I did this with a slide lap steel and worked up to more songs over time....start small and grow.".

The Accordian is the universal instrument. Sure the Germans invented it, but there are interesting bands using them the world over. From French restaurant music to African pop bands. And then there's its cousin, the harmonium from India. I don't know why people make fun of them. Think of it as an acoustic organ or a keyboard harmonica. Look at pictures of country bands from the 40's. There's almost always an accordian.

I think the accordion has such a terrible rep in America because of ethnic prejudice and class snobbery. It's the instrument of immigrants: for several generations, the accordion was all about nostalgia or embarrassment, depending on how you felt about your heritage, or else revulsion if you didn't like a particular ethnic group. Never mind how incredibly cool a lot of that music is.

I love the accordion. A keyboard player can get good enough at accordion fast. Especially if you skip the left hand and just play on the keyboard. In non-polka music, the left hand buttons are optional.

I played in a band with a killer accordion player from the Czech Republic, and the accordion solos were the most popular parts of our sets. People loved it. It's a great sound.

No, I have not. I have no idea who zydeco is and if there are accordions involved I can only hope it stays that way.
Both Cajun music and Zydeco have accordians heavily involved. If you know 3chords, you can play Cajun. If you only know 2 chords, you can still play Zydeco.:mrgreen:

Accordions are awesome. Sorry to all you people hauling out the same tired jokes, but it's the truth.

Totally. Accordion, when used right, is a really awesome and powerful instrument. People who think it has no real worth are small minded and have no imagination. Here are instrumentals I really like that have integral accordion parts. Technically, I'm confident they're played using synths, but still...

kEGl2jtFcos

For some reason this tune begins about 30 seconds in.
F8mJef0wA5g

I play synth guitar and wind up using an accordion patch from time to time. I think it's splendid.

Anyway, as to the original question. Someone said something about timing, and I think that is really important. The most crucial thing is the rhythm, I think. More than anything, people will notice mistakes and get frustrated listening to music if it's off time, I believe. Also, I've found that I can't really successfully play with people who can't keep time. The whole thing becomes a train wreck. I've released someone from my band because he just couldn't get things rhythmically. He had plenty of other faults, but the biggest one was that he just couldn't naturally feel the music and go along with it, and it's not like we were playing math rock, or anything like that.