Finger Friendly

Benefits

Consistent fingering and arm form are necessary for playing well. Fingering will vary based on notes of the music, but some guidelines are useful to determine the best fingering for you.

The following link is a good place to start. Determining which fingers to use is a purposeful, problem-solving activity requiring musical analysis and trial and error. 

https://www.key-notes.com/blog/piano-fingering

Guidelines for the Right Hand

Arm form begins at the shoulder and ends at the ends of the fingers directly over the buttons. The fingering motion is directly down and up. This position requires that the elbow be forward with the wrist, hand, and fingers in a relaxed, natural arc.

Play each different button with a different digit (thumb and four fingers). Maintain a steady hand position with fingers positioned over the notes. In this way a specific note is a specific finger. The lower notes are under the lower fingers, and the higher notes are under the higher fingers.

As you scan ahead on the music, you see notes that are higher or lower than your current position. So you have to transition the position of the right hand and fingers.

Transition the hand using a reference button. For example, replace a current finger on a button with a different finger. Shift the remaining fingers to the new notes. Play the notes, then shift the hand again using a reference button.

Consider adjusting the wrist and hand angle up or down the keyboard to better fit the selection of buttons. Consider alternate fingerings and buttons in other rows. Consider using some awkward positions to get to a good position for a particular section of music.

Mark fingerings in the music and play them consistently. If you discover a better fingering, update your finger markings.

The goal is to play in a relaxed and confident manner without thinking of fingering. 

The Practice

The accordionist G. Gerritsen has posted at the link below some sheet music and audio files on his web site that you could use to determine your fingering patterns. Develop your own patterns. What works for one person does not necessarily work for someone else.

http://knopaccordeon.ggms.nl/bladmuzieke.html

Absolute Notes

Benefits

Playing "absolute notes" is to use only the outside three rows for the right hand and to play only one button for a specific note. Generally use three fingers, one for each row of buttons.

In other words, play the chromatic button accordion as you do the piano accordion, that is, each note is a specific key.

The advantage is to associate a specific button with a specific note. This patterns the muscles and the brain to one position per note. 

 

The Practice

The first note to memorize is middle C. Get where you can automatically put your finger on the "C" button.

Now play all of your music exclusively using this approach until you mentally and physically know the position of every note and note pattern.

When you fumble for a note, stop and play that note correctly several times.

Continue to do this for every note you miss.

Continue to do this until you no longer miss notes. This may take several weeks depending on how much you practice.

The goal is to eliminate the tendency to finger an incorrect button.

 

Music Book Resources

Benefits

These  two music books for accordion provide a wide range of styles and also a means to progress from simple to complex tunes.

Eastern European Folk Tunes for Accordion

The accordionist Merima Kljuco has arranged and sequenced 33 to introduce you to the characteristic scales, rhythms, and music styles of southeastern Europe.

The book includes a CD of her playing all of the tunes with characteristic ornamentation added.

Amazon sells the book.

http://www.amazon.com/Eastern-European-Folk-Tunes-Accordion/dp/1847611397

The book contains an introduction to the music styles as well as comments about each tune.

The text is in English, French, and German.

Pinewoods International Collection

The accordionist Tom Pixton has collected and arranged over 400 dance tunes and songs complete with lyrics and English translations from southeastern Europe and areas nearby and afar.

The 354-page wire-bound 8-1/2 by 11 inch volume is available from the following web page.

http://pinewoodscollection.pixton.org/

The web page also provides videos, audio, tune index, and scanned pages.

This book would be a welcome addition to any music collection.


To further your learning, performances of many of the songs and dances are available online.

Gerard Gerritsen of The Netherlands

The accordionist G. Gerritsen has a web site for the beginning player of the B-grif chromatic accordion.

http://knopaccordeon.ggms.nl/indexe.html

The site includes videos, sheet music, audio files, links, and directions for ordering print materials.


Gerard Gerritsen is a piano accordion player who learned to play the chromatic accordion. He published his web site to help others beginning to play the B-grif chromatic accordion.