Post by David Gordon Burke on Dec 26, 2004 15:40:31 GMT -5
I'm sure many have read my review of the Flaco Jimenez instructional Video, Book and CD series. I am still working daily with the system.
When I was a Flamenco guitarist, one of the goals was to establish an "Ambience" of Flamenco on the guitar from the first note. That should also be a goal of an accordionist, (or any other musician); to establish an authentic mood that transmits the origins and feel of the music (Tejano or Norteña). The earlier you establish this authenticity, the sooner you will win over their ears and their toes.
Flaco Jimenez says that if you want to be able to play any style, first you need to learn the Polkas.
So what do the polkas have that other styles don't?
1. A lot of playing based on the arpeggios for the chord. Each particular chord on the accordion will have its own idiosyncracies upon which you can easily create numerous melodies.
2. Regular key changes. This means you will learn a song and then transpose it to a second key. The benefits of doing this are endless, from impovisation, knowing your instrument and composition and arranging.
3. Open up your playing to push only or push - pull techniques on the Diatonic Accordion.
One seldom mentioned theme is authenticity. I have had numerous dialogues over the years about "Commercial and Simplistic" bands. There are some guys within the modern style who play very well, and you know that these guys have paid their dues, have learned all the old style back to the huapangos, shotcis, polkas, boleros etc. etc.
But there are a number of guys that play the accordion and are looking for a short cut to get them into the big time. So they play super commercial stuff and never really learn the instrument to its potential.
The material offered on the Flaco Jimenez system is varied and will really get your fingers moving in different ways. I would go so far as to say that if you can conquer that system 100%, the only thing you will be missing for a complete accordion education would be experience. From there you can go out into the big world and learn any tune or style.
Also, using this system I am learning to read music.
Stoney
When I was a Flamenco guitarist, one of the goals was to establish an "Ambience" of Flamenco on the guitar from the first note. That should also be a goal of an accordionist, (or any other musician); to establish an authentic mood that transmits the origins and feel of the music (Tejano or Norteña). The earlier you establish this authenticity, the sooner you will win over their ears and their toes.
Flaco Jimenez says that if you want to be able to play any style, first you need to learn the Polkas.
So what do the polkas have that other styles don't?
1. A lot of playing based on the arpeggios for the chord. Each particular chord on the accordion will have its own idiosyncracies upon which you can easily create numerous melodies.
2. Regular key changes. This means you will learn a song and then transpose it to a second key. The benefits of doing this are endless, from impovisation, knowing your instrument and composition and arranging.
3. Open up your playing to push only or push - pull techniques on the Diatonic Accordion.
One seldom mentioned theme is authenticity. I have had numerous dialogues over the years about "Commercial and Simplistic" bands. There are some guys within the modern style who play very well, and you know that these guys have paid their dues, have learned all the old style back to the huapangos, shotcis, polkas, boleros etc. etc.
But there are a number of guys that play the accordion and are looking for a short cut to get them into the big time. So they play super commercial stuff and never really learn the instrument to its potential.
The material offered on the Flaco Jimenez system is varied and will really get your fingers moving in different ways. I would go so far as to say that if you can conquer that system 100%, the only thing you will be missing for a complete accordion education would be experience. From there you can go out into the big world and learn any tune or style.
Also, using this system I am learning to read music.
Stoney
