Learning the Accordion (w/ a Pro)

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Accordion Mike shows us how to play the accordion!

My guitar courses are available within the Guitareo membership :)
Also, my beginner course, GuitarQuest, is still available on its own too

The channel is supported in part by Sweetwater’s affiliate program. Thanks for that!

Also...

[iwema]

Wow you made me sound smart! Pleasure making this video with you, Rob! Lets meet up again soon!

[yamondakawazuki]

"by under i mean diagonal towards the ceiling" the accordion in a nutshell

[pavelmg]

"Find the music you're interested in and do the best you can."

Probably some of the best musical advice ever.

[TLKjoe]

I demand an Accordion Mike youtube channel where each episode he shows me a beautiful accordion, tells me it's history, and plays me a period appropriate song.

[musicman]

no fuckin way, i know Mike from his playing at Wednesday night open mics in willow springs, he's literally the peak of any night he's there. immense joy is derived from his jolly tunes. much love from the masters collection to Mike!

[illdozerband]

Love how every time he brings a guest musician on the channel, he always finds a way to rope them into playing some good old midwest emo.

[lukasneuner]

Dude from rural bavaria here. This sound is pure nostalgia for me, love the accordion. Makes me instantly feel like I'm in a big tent with a bunch of fellow drunk country-bumpkins swaying side to side, while eating half a chicken that's been deepfried into oblivion. :D

[torpidinput]

He always picks the best people to showcase the instrument. They're always super educated about their instrument and super awesome attitudes.

[dougc]

Rob, this video is fucking WILD. My uncle spent his life studying accordion, but passed away in 2009. In 2007, he bought me a Parker Fly as a gift to help him record his final album. He knew he had stage 4 cancer at the time but didn't tell anyone. The Fly is one of my favorite guitars ever, and one that I still play! Well... it was, until yesterday.

After my uncle passed, I became the owner of his Petosa Classic Antico, his pride and joy, and a beautiful accordion, which he spec'd out and paid $6500 for (!!!) in 2001. I never played accordion, so it just sat in its case, aside from pulling it out every few months to make sure all was good and the bellows were moved.

I finally said that I needed to sell the accordion, to put it in the hands of someone that will actually play it. It didn't need to sit around collecting dust. I sold that accordion this week.

Yesterday, I was playing my Fly and a fucking fret fell off the guitar. Just playing casually and a fret landed in my hand.

Today, I log onto YouTube, and there's THIS video with a guy playing a very similar accordion to what I just sold.

Jesus Christ, Rob, the spirit of my uncle is radically fucking with me.

But cool video nonetheless.

[dwyn]

My Mom, one lung oxygen patient in her 70s, is weak and frail, but about once a year, she asks me to set her accordian on her lap, and she sits in a chair and plays down heaven.

[Geeko]

I want an Accordion Mike Youtube channel where he repairs and refurbishes accordions while giving a history lesson on the history and story of said accordion. The outro could just be him playing his accordion!

[FrankenSteinsGate]

The absolute joy on Mike's face while he was playing the guitar was so wonderful to see

[JD-qqfz]

5:04 "...and this doesn't break all the time?" hahah this was exactly my thought too when it got opened up! So many little parts

[jameshaskell]

You found a great guy for this video. No idea who he is, but he is obviously knowledgeable, both about the instrument and music. On top of that, he is able to communicate.

If he doesn’t have a channel already, you should coach him up, Rob.

[charlottesweb]

Accordion Mike is amazing!! He has such a gift for playing, but also a gift for explaining it. He should give lessons!! And like so many have said, he should have his own YouTube channel. What a talent!
BTW, I'm a little biased...I'm his mom❤
But seriously, isn't he amazing??!!!

[andrewking]

We must protect Accordion Mike at all costs. He is a national treasure.

[rubenlazar]

19:02 - the tango piece
31:38 - the french waltz piece (Sous le Ciel de Paris by Hubert Giraud)

[marsrover]

I had no idea how an accordion worked. Far more complicated than I ever imagined.

Cant wait for the spinning guitar video tho.

[pyier]

As a french man born in the 90's, i always see the accordion as old-fashioned, from another time. Only old people can appreciate this type on sound. But, as always, this series allows you to discover, and rediscover instruments that you might think are boring. It's always magical to see musician talks about their passion, their instrument.

[Bladavia]

One of my favourite instruments, I wish it were used more in modern styles. Also yes, "accord" means chord in French, so "accordéon" = the chord instrument. It's the same etymological root as "according to" in English, outside of music it also means "to agree, to go well with, to be in sync, to be harmonious"