This is certainly the first video that any beginner has to watch to learn to play a tune.
Start putting your diatonic accordion on your lap to get used to its size and weight .
Look at this video and have fun feeling and moving around your diatonic accordion like Gaël Cadoret does. This will allow you to get used to your instrument.
Then, listen to his advice to adjust the position of your wrist and your fingers to properly place the instrument.
Start the first exercises pushed / pulled by counting the beats to feel the first sensations on the right hand and left hand and discover the concept of bass and chords on the left hand.
Listen carefully to what Gael says because all the basics to play are described in this video.
With this second video about the discovery of the diatonic accordion, you will learn to alternate a bass and a chord with your left hand while tapping your foot at the same time .
Then you will start to play the first notes on the right hand which will allow you to pull and push the accordion bellows.
Then you can add the left hand with the bass and chords. For the fisrt time, you will play with both hands.
Finally, you will learn to alternate short notes and long notes.
These two videos are illustrated by numerous examples and many small practise exercices.
If you start the diatonic accordion, take the time to workout from these exercises before you start working the first tune.
This song for children from "Upper Brittany" is a good start to learn your first friendly tune that will allow you to play fast enough for your friends and family.
You can also quickly learn to play and sing at the same time which will give you much pleasure afterwards.
In this video, you will play two beats notes and one beat notes.
You will work only with the index and middle finger on your right hand so you can concentrate on pushing and pulling.
Start using your left hand to play chords for this song for children.
You will use a G bass and the chord of G (g) and bass of D (D) and the chord of D (d), playing on the beat regularly.
You will learn to match your right hand and left hand.
Learn to switch the bass and the chord while playing the note at the right hand.
Here are a few tips to get you started :
- Take the time to work this song to immediately acquire good habits for hand position and to play both hands together.
- Do not go too fast, play slowly but steadily.
- Slowly increase the tempo when you're comfortable with the music. If you can't , decrease the speed and stabilize your game.
- "Les rats et les souris" is the must-play first tune of all of Gaël's young students.
We suggest you continue to learn more about diatonic accordion with the following lessons :
