Accordion Made Easy: Book 1 for Complete Beginners from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

You can study piano accordion or chromatic button accordion (b system)
Play easy songs on accordion
Learn how to read music notation

Learn basic music theory
Understand how to study a musical instrument
Play by ear - listen, watch, repeat, remember

You can study piano accordion or chromatic button accordion (b system)
Play easy songs on accordion
Learn how to read music notation
Learn basic music theory
Understand how to study a musical instrument
Play by ear - listen, watch, repeat, remember

Syllabus

Our next bass note is Bb (pronounced 'b flat'), it is below bass F. Sharps and Flats are those black notes you see on your right hand keyboard. Before you start playing thìs song, try to practice the long and difficult jump from bass Bb to bass G.

Meet the teacher and the Instrument.

Introduction to Accordion. Study parts and layout of Piano Accordion and Chromatic Accordion

Look inside and learn how accordions produce sound

In every lesson, first watch me playing: listen to the sound produced by accordion, notice my posture, hand position, fingering. Then start playing yourself. Very slowly!

Play your first tune. Practice very slowly. Open the Bellows in steady controlled motion

We can't see left hand keyboard when we play. You might use the mirror in the beginning.

Stay in each lesson till you understand everything and manage to play the piece well.

Music is notated on music Staff (also called Stave)

The songs we are going to use are not difficult - they are either old traditional tunes, children songs or popular classics. Try, however, spend some time to perfect them, so that they sound good.

Study both hands separately. Then connect slowly one bar at a time.

Fingering for Piano accordion students is quite straightforward for now: keep your hand in the same position, first finger is always on C note.

Button accordion students will generally have more options. You can follow my playing for now but you will discover soon that there are more options, equally good.

Divide long difficult songs into smaller, manageable parts. Learn them well, and then connect together.

Resources

Learn how to play Tied Notes: they are Not two separate notes, it is One long note. Then take some time to master Go 'Way, your first Long and Difficult song. If you have register switches on your accordion experiment with them - they all produce different sounds. Practice with one of them, then - with another. Soon you will get to know them, and understand which ones to use for your performances.

Start learning each song very slowly and gradually increase the Tempo (speed)

Slur (legato playing), rest. Experiment with different register switches (shifts) if you have

This song is a Round. It means it goes around and around from the beginning all the time. You can play it with 2 friends: you start alone, after 4 bars another one starts playing from the beginning while you continuing, after another 4 bars the third person starts playing. The problem is this song never stops. Good Luck!

Some essential theory

Remember - each song has a character. Some songs are slow and romantic, some fast and energetic. Try to show the character using tempo (speed), dynamics (sound volume, loudness), articulation (playing smooth connected phrases or short notes, disconnected). This song is a fast one, so try to work on your Tempo.

Slow songs are challenging because we need to control the Bellows movement. This song has long phrases. Change direction of the Bellows after each phrase. Try not to break a phrase. Phrase is a musical sentence. What is most important - don't break a Note. Only change bellows direction after the Note is finished.

It's a fast tune. Now you know what to do.

Bass D is above bass G

Now Piano accordion students will have a challenge - we have to play 6 notes. So the first finger will move from the familiar position. Watch out!

Resources

We play 2 bass notes D and A (It's exactly above D) together.

On the Treble keyboard we have another note - B. You might have to stretch your hand sometimes. Get used to that distance from D to B.

Proper fingering is important especially in fast tempos.

Try to study this song without my help.

Rests are signs of silence in music. Like notes, they have time values, so try not to rush, count the rests properly.

Test your performance skills, play for your friends and family.

Check your knowledge. You can always go back to previous lessons for revision.

Sight reading is part of exam for music students. You read the score for 1 or 2 minutes, and then try to play, slowly but without mistakes. Try it.

Songs, scales, chords, arpeggios, sharps, flats, dynamics, articulation. Listen, play, get inspired.

Assignments don't open in all devices

Get inspired, and I hope to see you soon in the next course!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches both piano accordion and chromatic button accordion (B-system), which allows learners to explore different accordion styles and find the one that suits them best

Uses the Palmer-Hughes Accordion Course, Book 1, which is widely used and offers effective lessons with traditional songs that are easy to learn and memorize

Explores essential music theory for accordion, which provides a solid foundation for understanding and playing music in general, not just on the accordion

Recommends learners practice long and difficult jumps, which may be challenging for some beginners and require patience and dedication to master

Taught by a professional accordion player, musician, and tutor with years of experience, which can provide valuable insights and guidance for learners

Reviews summary

Beginner accordion basics with yuri

According to learners, this course offers a welcoming and effective introduction to the accordion, particularly for complete beginners. Students appreciate the instructor's clear and encouraging teaching style and the step-by-step approach that makes learning approachable and fun. The curriculum successfully covers basic music theory, reading music, and fundamental techniques, allowing students to play simple songs quickly. While primarily focused on foundational skills, the course provides a solid base for further study.

Integration with Palmer-Hughes book noted.

"The course works well with the Palmer-Hughes book, providing visual and auditory lessons."

"I followed along with the recommended book and found it a great complement to the videos."

"Good to have the option to use the Palmer-Hughes book for extra practice and context."

"The course follows the book closely, which is helpful for structure."

"Using the suggested book enhanced my learning experience."

Focus on proper bellows control is helpful.

"The emphasis on controlling the bellows was very important and well explained."

"I learned proper bellows technique which is crucial for good sound."

"Detailed guidance on bellows movement made a big difference in my playing."

"Understanding bellows direction and control was a key takeaway."

"The instructor demonstrates bellows use clearly in the videos."

Covers essential music reading and theory.

"Learning to read music alongside playing was a huge bonus for me. Very well integrated."

"The theory sections are explained in a way that's not intimidating for beginners."

"I finally understand basic notation thanks to this course."

"It teaches you the notes and rhythm in a practical, applicable way."

"Good foundation in the basics needed to understand sheet music."

Empowering and encouraging learning environment.

"Yuri's encouragement made me feel like I really could learn the accordion."

"The course structure builds confidence step by step."

"Finishing lessons and being able to play the songs was a real boost."

"I feel much more confident about continuing my accordion journey after this course."

"A very positive and supportive learning experience."

Learn basic songs quickly and effectively.

"Being able to play actual songs so early in the course was really motivating and fun."

"The songs are simple but well-chosen for practicing new techniques."

"I enjoyed playing along with the instructor on the provided pieces."

"The course gets you playing from day one, which is great for keeping motivation high."

"Learned some lovely traditional tunes and felt like a musician right away!"

Perfect starting point for new accordion players.

"As a complete beginner with no musical background, this course was exactly what I needed to get started."

"It truly is 'Made Easy' - I was playing simple tunes much faster than I expected."

"The course is perfectly pitched for someone who has never touched an accordion before."

"If you're a beginner, this course is a must. It builds confidence from the very first lesson."

"I appreciated that the pace was slow and steady, allowing me to practice thoroughly before moving on."

Instructor's teaching is easy to follow.

"Yuri explains everything clearly and is very encouraging. Great course for absolute beginners."

"The instructor's explanations are very easy to understand, perfect for someone like me starting from scratch."

"I found the teaching style incredibly clear and patient. Made learning the basics a joy."

"The video lessons are broken down into small, manageable steps, which really helped me grasp the concepts."

"Everything is laid out simply. I never felt overwhelmed, even tackling music theory for the first time."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Accordion Made Easy: Book 1 for Complete Beginners with these activities:

Review Basic Music Theory

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Strengthen your understanding of music theory concepts like notes, rhythm, and key signatures, which are essential for reading music and understanding the structure of songs played on the accordion.

Browse courses on Music Theory

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Review notes, rests, and time signatures.
Practice identifying key signatures and scales.
Complete online quizzes on music theory.

Explore 'Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course'

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Use this book to supplement your understanding of music notation and develop finger dexterity, which are both crucial for playing the accordion.

View Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course on Amazon

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Work through the first few lessons of the book.
Practice the exercises focusing on rhythm and note reading.
Relate the piano exercises to the accordion keyboard layout.

Practice Scales and Arpeggios

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Improve your finger dexterity and familiarity with the accordion keyboard by practicing scales and arpeggios in different keys.

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Learn the fingerings for major and minor scales.
Practice scales slowly at first, then gradually increase speed.
Incorporate arpeggios into your practice routine.

Four other activities

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Practice with a Partner

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Learn and practice with a partner to improve your playing and understanding of the material.

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Find a partner who is also learning the accordion.
Practice playing songs together.
Give each other feedback on your playing.

Record Yourself Playing a Song

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Record yourself playing a song from the course to identify areas for improvement and track your progress.

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Choose a song from the course that you want to record.
Practice the song until you can play it smoothly.
Record yourself playing the song.
Listen to the recording and identify areas for improvement.

Read 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing the Accordion'

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Expand your knowledge of accordion playing techniques and musical styles by reading this comprehensive guide.

View The Mighty Accordion on Amazon

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Read through the chapters on bellows control and ornamentation.
Try out the exercises and examples provided in the book.
Explore different musical styles mentioned in the book.

Explore Advanced Accordion Techniques on YouTube

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Learn advanced accordion techniques and explore different musical styles by watching tutorials on YouTube.

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Search for tutorials on specific techniques, such as bellows shakes or ornamentation.
Watch videos of professional accordion players performing different styles of music.
Try to imitate the techniques and styles you see in the videos.

Career center

Learners who complete Accordion Made Easy: Book 1 for Complete Beginners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Music Teacher

A music teacher instructs students on musical instruments and music theory. This course helps build a foundation for teaching accordion to beginners because it provides a structured approach to learning the instrument, covering essential music theory, notation, and technique. The course emphasizes playing by ear and reading music, which are valuable skills. Aspiring music teachers can learn how to break down complex techniques, like bellows control and fingering, into manageable steps. The course includes practical exercises and familiar tunes that are easy to teach and memorize.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Teacher

Accordion Performer

An accordion performer plays the accordion as a soloist or as part of a band. This course helps to learn music and understand essential music theory for accordion. The course's focus on mastering sound production and accordion technique builds a foundation for a performance career. Playing by ear is a valuable skill as is reading notation. Through learning songs, those who wish to become accordion performers will be prepared to delight audiences. The course will be beneficial no matter what the size of your instrument may be, or your familiarity with piano accordion, button accordion, bayan, musette, or fisarmonica.

See salaries and explore the career path for Accordion Performer

Music Journalist

A music journalist writes about music for newspapers, magazines, websites, or other media outlets. This course helps build a foundation in understanding accordion music. The course covers music theory, notation, and performance techniques, which provide you with the knowledge to write about accordion music. By understanding the nuances of accordion playing, including sound production and technique, you can offer informed commentary. The course includes playing by ear, which may allow you to play and explore a broad range of accordion songs with confidence.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Journalist

Music Arranger

A music arranger adapts existing musical pieces for different instruments or ensembles. This course may be useful in helping to understand music theory and notation. This may allow you to create arrangements suitable for the accordion. The course's coverage of both written notation and playing by ear builds a foundation for creating arrangements that cater to different skill levels. Exposure to various types of accordions prepares a music arranger to create pieces suited to different instruments. Music arrangers should take this course to expand their understanding of music.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Arranger

Orchestrator

An orchestrator arranges music for an orchestra, assigning instruments to different parts of the music. This course may provide a basic understanding of music theory and notation, which could be beneficial for orchestrating pieces that include the accordion. The course emphasizes playing songs and mastering techniques which may help to understand the capabilities of the accordion, so that the orchestrator may write well for it. Familiarity with the accordion is not common in orchestral composition, so insight into this instrument may provide a unique edge.

See salaries and explore the career path for Orchestrator

Music Director

A music director oversees the musical aspects of a production, such as a play, musical, or concert. This course may help one to understand the musical aspects that go into playing the accordion, particularly for beginner musicians. The course covers music theory and notation, as well as practical skills such as playing by ear and mastering accordion technique. The course may be useful for a music director looking to incorporate the accordion into a production or work with accordion players.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Director

Jingle Writer

A jingle writer composes short, catchy tunes for advertisements or other promotional purposes. This course helps in learning how to play the accordion and understand music theory, which may be useful for crafting jingles that incorporate accordion music. The course covers essential music theory and notation, and the ability to play by ear may be beneficial. Jingles that include unexpected instruments tend to stand out.

See salaries and explore the career path for Jingle Writer

Music Librarian

A music librarian manages a collection of musical scores, recordings, and other music-related materials. This course may be useful in the librarian's work by providing insight into the accordion and its music. The course covers music theory, notation, and performance techniques, so that you may catalogue and organize accordion-related materials. The course familiarizes music librarians with the instrument, the different types of accordions, their capabilities, and how they are used in various musical genres.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Librarian

Ethnomusicologist

An ethnomusicologist studies music in its cultural context. If you wish to become an ethnomusicologist, this course may give you insight into the accordion, its role in various cultures, and how it is played. By studying the accordion, you become familiar with its history, cultural significance, and playing techniques. These are all very useful skills to have, no matter what size of accordion you use, whether it is a piano accordion, button accordion, bayan, musette, or fisarmonica.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ethnomusicologist

Music Therapist

A music therapist uses music to address patients' physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. This course may provide the foundation to use the accordion in therapy sessions. The course covers the basics of playing the accordion, reading music, and understanding music theory. The course includes playing by ear, which can be especially valuable in therapeutic settings where adapting to patients is necessary. Knowledge of the accordion and its capabilities can broaden the range of musical interventions available to a music therapist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Therapist

Instrument Repair Technician

An instrument repair technician specializes in repairing and maintaining musical instruments. This course may assist in this career, as it provides insight into the accordion, including its internal mechanisms and how it produces sound. Learning about the different types of accordions and their components prepares you to understand the instrument. The course emphasizes a step-by-step approach to learning the accordion, so it may be very helpful for understanding how each of the parts function. Instrument repair technicians should take this course to understand the instrument.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instrument Repair Technician

Arts Administrator

An arts administrator manages the administrative and business aspects of arts organizations. This course may be useful in finding and understanding musicians, particularly those who play the accordion. The course teaches about the accordion, music theory, and notation, which might provide insight into the needs of accordion players. Exposure to different types of accordions helps you understand the versatility of the instrument. This course may be helpful for someone looking to promote accordion music or manage accordion players.

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Conductor

A conductor leads an orchestra, choir, or other musical ensemble. If you wish to work as a conductor, this course may provide insight into the accordion. The course focuses on learning how to play the instrument, read music, and understand musical theory. This knowledge will be valuable when working with accordion players in an ensemble. The course may provide increased knowledge of the instrument, and how it works, how it makes sound, and its different types.

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Film Score Composer

A film score composer creates original music for films. This course may be useful in film score composition by giving you insight into the accordion's capabilities and how to write for it. The course covers the basics of music theory and notation, as well as practical skills such as playing songs and mastering accordion technique. The course will allow the composer to expand their knowledge of different instruments and compositional styles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Film Score Composer

Musical Instrument Designer

A musical instrument designer creates new and innovative musical instruments. This course may be useful as a foundation that may improve an existing instrument such as the accordion. The course covers basics of how the instruments make sound, including bellows, fingering, and other techniques. The step-by-step lessons that are easy to learn and memorize will allow you to understand how each of the parts function.

See salaries and explore the career path for Musical Instrument Designer

Accordion Made Easy

Book 1 for Complete Beginners

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Beginner accordion basics with yuri

Activities

Career center

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