Rustys26
69 posts
May 21, 2018
12:03 AM
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Hey fellas (and ladies),
I was thinking of picking up a second instrument, in particular, the accordion. However, this has caused me concern, as I have started to get fairly advanced on the blues harp after over 10 years. I have aspirations to be a great harp player (not professional) before I die...I worry that this might hamper that if I decide to die early or something.
I feel that learning a second instrument will maybe make me start to think differently about music (and hopefully gain some much needed music theory, as I plan to find a teacher this time around)....but I also worry that taking the accordion to the woodshed will be wasted time when I could be practicing harp...maybe I'm overthinking things....
Thoughts?
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Spderyak
216 posts
May 21, 2018
4:02 AM
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Though I don't know much about the accordian we were surprised at how physically heavy an instrument it is, so you might want to keep that in mind as you make your decisions.
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RyanMortos
1689 posts
May 21, 2018
5:33 AM
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As long as you make time for focused practice with both daily you should be fine.
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~Ryan
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robbert
460 posts
May 21, 2018
6:06 AM
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Diatonic and chromatic harmonicas remain my primary focus, and gaining increased facility on both is a never ending process. Thankfully, I enjoy the process of ever so gradually increasing my skills. While I play out several times a month as a harmonica player and occasional percussionist, my other instrument, guitar, remains at home for personal exploration, only. While I practice daily on harps, the guitars, standard tuning and open d tuning, are picked up less frequently, but still regularly. I’m finding, as I play mostly with guitarists, that being conversant with the instrument is helpful. I also enjoy playing it, but it’s not likely to reach a giggable level anytime soon. I think accordian is a great instrument, and at times am sorely tempted, but my hands are already full. Good luck, and have fun!
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The Iceman
3583 posts
May 21, 2018
6:37 AM
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Hooray!
A diatonic harmonica player who wants to take up a keyboard instrument!
It will change everything (for the better!).
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The Iceman
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Tuckster
1693 posts
May 21, 2018
6:56 AM
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I think of the chromatic as a 2nd instrument. Although you use the same blow/draw techniques,it's a completely different beast.To play in all keys,you must have some theory knowledge. Plus all the theory you need to learn for chromatic manages to filter down to your diatonic playing.
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agarner
23 posts
May 21, 2018
7:34 AM
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I grew up as a piano player and grabbed a harp a few years ago because I got stale on piano. As a result, my piano playing has been revitalized and I have a newfound love of harmonica too. A new instrument will open your mind to new licks, ways of playing, voicings, etc. I don't think that it would hinder your harmonica playing, and would in fact be beneficial to your overall "schooling" of music.
I would recommend getting a melodica if you are looking at the accordion route. Throw a piezo pickup on it an bring it to a jam! People dig it when you play something new and different.
Last Edited by agarner on May 21, 2018 8:45 AM
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nacoran
9855 posts
May 21, 2018
9:56 AM
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I've never played an accordion, but any instrument with a keyboard is great for picking up some theory. Even the couple weeks of piano lessons I had my freshman year in college (before the doctor told me I was about a week away from needing carpal tunnel surgery if I didn't lay off) made visualizing theory stuff much easier.
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Mirco
587 posts
May 21, 2018
10:31 AM
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I recently started a 2nd instrument, keyboard, after playing harmonica for 4-5 years. It's been a lot of fun and I really recommend adding a second instrument to your practice.
You'll grow musically. When you're practicing accordion (or keyboard, or whatever), you won't be developing any harmonica specific skills, but your overall musicality will grow.
Now's the time to do it. There will never be a better time than now. You will NEVER reach the end of your growth on harmonica, so it doesn't make any sense to wait until you reach some ideal level of proficiency.
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Marc Graci
YouTube Channel
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eebadeeb
121 posts
May 21, 2018
11:45 AM
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I started piano about 10 yrs ago after 40 yrs of harp. I have practiced piano 2 hrs a day since then. I still play harp but not daily practice. I was concerned that my harp skills would suffer, however it has worked out fine. Although my improvement on the harp has been limited I am not aware of having lost any skills. It seems you will always have the skills that you developed.
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Rustys26
70 posts
May 21, 2018
4:54 PM
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Thanks everyone. All good points. I'm looking forward to the piano accordion then; going to buy one now! I think this will be overall beneficial, and most importantly....FUN! That's the main thing anyway, right?
Thinking back to when I bought my first harmonica is making me laugh now.......please pray for my girlfriend who has to live with me through this process!
Last Edited by Rustys26 on May 21, 2018 4:54 PM
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nowmon
170 posts
May 22, 2018
5:39 AM
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I started playing guitar a year after harp,harp has always been assilimate, from the old masters, But guitar ,I got into theory and harmony with assilimate from the blues masters.The more I learned on guitar,the easy-er harp become, after 50 yrs. it`s all the same nothing but fun.....
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chopsy
63 posts
May 22, 2018
8:17 AM
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I would definitely recommend branching out. It's funny how the brain works but when I'm playing harp and trying to think of the circle of fifths or figure out where a note is, I always envision a guitar fretboard in my head. Sometimes you will learn things on that other instrument that will enrich your harp playing and vice versa.
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Rustys26
71 posts
May 22, 2018
4:59 PM
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chopsy,
actually, the bass side of the accordion has notes and chords in columns and the columns are ordered by the circle of fifths, so that should be helpful for me too!
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AppalachiaBlues
169 posts
May 23, 2018
4:06 AM
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Drums. Guitar. Blues Harp. Melodica. Chromatic Harmonica. Singing.
Branching out is great, and the experience of learning Instrument B definitely helps me to improve on Instrument A. I am not at the same level on all instruments, but it's fun to rotate, even if I'm still a beginner on some of the instruments.
I'm thinking about starting on the transverse Flute...
Last Edited by AppalachiaBlues on May 23, 2018 4:39 AM
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Thievin' Heathen
1012 posts
May 23, 2018
7:32 AM
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"Hooray!
A diatonic harmonica player who wants to take up a keyboard instrument!"
Better hold the champagne until we determine it's not a diatonic, button accordion.
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garry
722 posts
May 23, 2018
4:30 PM
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Funny, I recently started learning trumpet. Never wanted to play anything other than harp, until recently. Been on a jazz kick for a while now, something about that trumpet sound just cuts right through me. Miles made me do it.
Still at square one, focusing on clean tone and embouchure. I'm giving myself 10 years, about how long it took to get good at harp. No rush because I can already satisfy my music jones with harp, so this is just gravy.
I have noticed good effects on my harp playing already. The demands of trumpet on breath control builds capability that directly applies to harp. I expect I'll have to learn a lot more music theory, which will also help.
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Rustys26
72 posts
May 23, 2018
5:34 PM
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Haha, dont worry Heathen...I purchased a piano accordion. I already get frustrated enough having to carry around all my harps, or not having the one I need with me. No WAY would I get into that situation with accordions!
I thankfully found a teacher (was worried I wouldn't as I live in Nowheres-ville, Australia). Have only talked to him over the phone so far, he seems quite old and told me that during the first lesson "we will find out if I'm able to help you" which I took as his way of saying that he is a serious teacher. The lessons are what I'm really looking forward to more than anything.
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johnleewfan
11 posts
May 23, 2018
8:50 PM
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I would suggest a single-row diatonic accordion. Very similar note layout to a diatonic harmonica but a different sound/vibe. Lots of possibilities for Cajun/Irish/blues (check out Leadbelly wailing on "windjammer" on youtube).
I think those two would really work together & maybe inspire some ideas.
EDIT Whoops sorry missed the part where OP went ahead & got a piano accordion. Those are good too!
Last Edited by johnleewfan on May 27, 2018 10:17 PM
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nowmon
172 posts
May 27, 2018
6:33 AM
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If you have a dude on lessons with all the theory etc. after a year ,you listen to him ,than a dude who gets into JUKE ,no lessons just assimilates.That dude who just played juke every day I`m sure was playing good.and the theory dude was playing book stuff,beating around the bush...I know ,because when I started I jammed on all the great harp players, I didn`t need the book...
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MP
3612 posts
May 27, 2018
12:00 PM
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I think it's a good idea. At one point I played alto sax, flute, aside from harp and singing all the tunes. Keeps things interesting and expands repetiore. A chordal instrument like piano or guitar is best for band situs. PS an accordian is like a piano/harmonica.
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Reasonably priced Reed Replacement and tech support on Hand Made Series Hohner Diatonic Harmonicas.
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Last Edited by MP on May 27, 2018 12:06 PM
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groyster1
3178 posts
May 27, 2018
12:40 PM
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I am having one on one lessons on guitar fingerpicking.....would love to play skip james,mississippi john hurt and blind willie mctell.....such incredibly great blues
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Rustys26
77 posts
May 27, 2018
6:18 PM
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nowmon,
I'm not sure what you are trying to say or how it is relevant. I don't think that me learning some music theory will be "beating around the bush".
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robbert
461 posts
May 28, 2018
8:48 AM
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Learning some basic music theory is incredibly helpful and necessary if you want to be versatile, and able to communicate with other musicians.
If you are devoted to a genre, like Chicago blues, etc., then you can certainly learn tunes by rote, and it will probably serve you, especially if you are the singer, but I still can’t see how one can avoid acquiring some basic theory along the way. Very basic theory is not that hard and sure can take you a long way in being musically functional. Even learning which key harp to use on a song and why is a step into theory. A keyboard is wonderfully visual for understanding musical ideas. Once again, love the accordion!
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inkstainedwretch
3 posts
May 28, 2018
10:49 AM
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I'd been hesitant about seriously taking up another instrument because I was afraid it would take something off my harp chops. Better to be real good at one thing than to suck at two things, right?
Wrong. Recently picked up a tenor sax (and later an alto), and it's helped my harp playing by a lot. What I learn on sax translates well into harp and vice versa. My ear has gotten better.
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Free Range Harp: Sound bites, shots & stories.
http://freerangeharp.com
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