Back Problems for Accordionists
The Classical Free-reed
Dear Friends,
Following is a letter I wrote to Cheri Thurston, founder of Closet
Accordion Players of America which might be of interest to readers of this
newsgroup. I invite your comment.
Sincerely,
Henry
Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 08:36:51 -0500 (EST)
From: The Classical Free-reed <free...@trfn.clpgh.org>
Subject: back problems
Dear Cheri,
I just received the Spring 1998 issue of CAPA Times and I thank you!
You wrote, "As I play the accordion more and more, I am discovering a real
down side to the instrument. My back hurts -- a lot. I have a stand for
the accordion and try to pick up the instrument carefully, bending my
knees. I play a slightly smaller sized model, and I avoid carrying it
whenver I can, usually enlisting my husband to lug it around in the case.
Nothing helps. Do others have this problem?"
Sorry to hear about your back.
Please forgive my pessimism, but after years of experience I have come to
the conclusion that back problems are a natural occupational hazard for
accordionists, just as deformed jaws are a natural occupational hazard for
violinists and tennis elbow is a natural occupational hazard for tennis
players.
My Dutch friend, Wim Wakker, was an accomplished concert accordionist
until recurring back pain forced him to abandon the instrument completely.
Since then he has taken to the concertina (a much lighter and
back-friendly instrument) and has had success as a concert artist.
I attribute accordion playing to be a major factor in the incredibly
painful herniated disc I had in July 1996. In May and June I increased my
practice time in preparation for several California recitals and soon had
a sore back. Immediately I reduced my practicing and the pain reduced, but
never went away.
While in California I visited a massage therapist for muscle tension in my
legs. Little did I know that my lower lumbar number 3 disc was slowly
squeezing out of it's slot in my spine and pressing against the sciatica
nerve which goes into my left leg! Ha! I thought it was sore muscles from
all the bicycle riding I liked to do.
Anyway, when the disc finally popped out, I had a friend drive me to the
nearest hospital emergency room where they filled me up with motrin. The
pain was the greatest I have ever had. But the motrin didn't remove the
pain, just make it tolerable.
I was pretty much incapacitated for 2 weeks and it took six months before
I could walk without a limp. 1.5 years later, I still have to be very
careful; I don't dare ride a bicycle, or sit in a chair for more than a
half hour, or practice too much! Although I managed to perform at the
Tanglewood Festival in August 96 with great difficulty (I walked on stage
with the speed of a turtle!) I played my lightweight stradella accordion,
not my heavy free-bass accordion.
It was close to a year before I dared to pick up my big accordion again!
Of course, one can minimize stress to the back by utilizing efficient
playing positions. The straps should be tight enough to hold the accordion
firmly but loose enough that the entire weight of the instrument rests on
one's legs, not on one's back.
I WAS using the proper position. However, I think the stress to my back
may have been caused by the left arm pushing and pulling the bellows.
Playing sfortzando passages caused a great amount of tension throughout
the body, not just in the arm muscles. Playing pianisimo has a much
gentler effect on the back.
I think this is particular to the accordion, as only the left hand has the
job of forcing air in and out of the bellows; this makes the body tense up
as it is unbalanced. Concertina and bandoneon players do not have this
problem, as they pump with BOTH hands and their bodies are more balanced
and less stressed while playing.
My personal opinion? Those who pump away on the accordion for decades and
decades without any back problems are genetically blessed with backs of
steel!
Those of us with less hearty backs must be extremely careful, or else we
suffer!
Recommendations?
1) Practice less
2) No loud playing
3) Don't stand and play
4) Sit properly
5) Get a lighter accordion
6) Switch to concertina
7) Wear a back brace
8) Get an accordion stand to use while playing.
9) Do gentle exercises to strenghen the back muscles
Good luck and I wish you the best!
Sincerely,
Henry
Terry Knight
Dear Group,
I too have known several PA players who have been vexed by these back
problems .. even players ten or fifteen years younger than myself ..
even players who have serious athletic involvement and participate in
community sports and jog four or five times a week.
As I think of this, I recall warehouse and workplace posters which
advise how TO and how NOT TO pick up heavy objects .. also, I think of
all the laborers I have seen in recent years who wear some sort of
reinforcing garment on the outside of their workclothes .. supposedly to
protect their backs. It's no wonder that we have back problems.
Think of how little care you might give to snatching an accordion up off
the ground by the straps. It's not so bad with a smaller PA, but if you
have an instrument that has five sets of reeds on both sides and full
cassoto, you could find yourself a poster child for the back health
campaign.
A sport medicine physician could probably prescribe a regimen of
exercises that would go a long way toward strengthening and protecting
the back, and could also probably give good advice (patient education)
on DOs and DON'Ts. Also, it would probably be smart to make sure we get
enough calcium in our diets. Most importantly though, we should
remember to use good lifting practices and to heed (HEED) the warning
signs (back cramps, stabbing or radiating pains, that kind of stuff).
Maybe this approach could help. Then all we would have to worry about
is carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, and accordion elbow (or am I the
only one who has had these problems as a result of prolonged
practicing?). \TK
jk...@watson.ibm.com
In article <6fgb3u$b...@d-and-d.com>,
The Classical Free-reed <free...@trfn.clpgh.org> quoted:
> 7) Wear a back brace
Hmmm. I wonder if anyone has ever redesigned accordion straps to
_incorporate_ additional back support? Seems like it ought to be
possible, though getting into and out of it might become more
difficult...
-----== Posted via Deja News, The Leader in Internet Discussion ==-----
http://www.dejanews.com/ Now offering spam-free web-based newsreading
Dan Lavry
jk...@watson.ibm.com wrote in article <6fgp2s$7m9$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
> In article <6fgb3u$b...@d-and-d.com>,
> The Classical Free-reed <free...@trfn.clpgh.org> quoted:
> > 7) Wear a back brace
>
I tried a Petosa prototype reedless accordion at their Seattle store. The
instrument is not out yet, I believe it will be in production very soon.
The instrument has great sounds and many sounds. Really sounds fantastic.
One of the main attractions is its very light weight. It felt like a
feather.
It could be just the right cure for back problems, and also could enable
older people to continue playing.
True, it is not the "real thing", but it sounds as good (to my ears). I can
see myself enjoying it at an age where carrying 25 LB is too difficult. It
was really easy to play, and the dynamics was very good as well.
I do not know much about the other reedless instruments. One was recently
talked about in the group. They are all expensive, but the Petosa is about
2/3 the cost of the one I saw on the net.
Dan
JoeKeys99
HI, In regards to back support for playing, I have been using a back strap for
many years, and this has helped, You can also bend down without having the
accordion slip off. A back strap also helps to keep the instrument from
sliding down when wearing silk shirts, or those that are of a slippery
material.
A few years ago I had one made and it was less than $20. That was
money well spent. Joe
Robert Berta
I have been following this thread with much interest since my Profession is
Safety Professional with special emphasis in ergonomics. I know Henry
personally and while I can certainly feel his pain (now where did I hear that
before) I have some info to add to this discussion.
First...surprisingly playing accordion is most likely going to strengthen your
back! While back injuries are common to many people, one of the most famous
ergonmists (a doctor) told me that the accordion is one of the most perfect
ergonomicly designed instruments. It is very important though to have the
accordion correctly fitted with the various straps and he suggested that you
never play one without the addition of a back strap (the one that connects the
two shoulder straps a little below your shoulder blades. Most of the problems
from accordion don't come from playing it but from picking it up and taking it
off...or carrying it in its case long distances. You need to practice good
lifting technique. This means bending your legs in the oft quoted manner but
more importantly keep your complete back in a neutral position. Many people
assume wrongly that the back needs to be kept straight....the back isn't
"straight" but has a natural curve when in the neutral position. Many people
will think they are keeping their back straight but instead are bending from
the point on your back at the small of the back. The correct way is to bend at
the joints where your leg bone connects to the hip. The pelvic bones need to be
kept aligned with the spine. A somewhat humorous way to remember this is "stick
your butt out". When playing the accordion you also need to not slouch and have
an accordion that is appropriately sized for your body size. I often see huge
accordions on teeny people or staps so badly adjusted that the accordion sits
at awkward positions.
The doctor I mentioned earlier played accordion...he said that the hand
position of the bass and trebles sides keeps your hands in a naturally neutral
position which is far superior to the position most other instruments force you
into.
For those who still have a problem with the weight of their accordion there are
a few solutions. First is to try sitting down....but do it in a chair that is
high enough to allow you to not feel crowded. Most people play from chairs like
folding chairs but in reality these are too low for the average player. I use a
drummers throne....a stool that can be moved up and down like a piano stool. I
find that the most comfortable spot tends to be quite a bit higher than what
most would assume. As a guideline try setting your stool so that the height is
about the same as the width across your accordion case (widest dimension).
Next solution for those who need to standup when playing is to get a stand for
their accordion to help support it. There are a couple of variations I have
seen and owned. One is a stand that actually will support the complete
accordion without any support from the player. This is seen in Europe quite a
bit. The other one is a monopod that clicks into the bottom of the accordion
and acts as a aid to support although the player still needs to balance it on
the monopod. I owned this device for a while for an old very heavy accordion
(about 40+ lbs) and it worked like a charm.
Finally, when used correctly an accordion will actually help develop stronger
back muscles....just use correct positioning and don't use bad posture or do
stupid things like twisting and bending at the same time.
Bob Berta
Joe Natoli
This really hits home for me because I end up at the chiropractor constantly
when I am playing the accordion...especially now that I am getting older
(44). It never really bothered me until I reached the age of about 25....then
it never stopped bothering me. You're right, it is an occupational hazard
(for some, not all) players. Some never seem to be affected by it (in fact,
look at the unbelieveable playing posture of Van Damme all those years and it
never seemed to affect him). But when you think of the weight and the pull on
the spine and neck area fromt he straps, it's no wonder more people don't
develop problems. Funny though, I enjoy playing so much that I never notice
it during playing...only after.
Sincerely,
Joe
> Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 08:36:51 -0500 (EST)
> From: The Classical Free-reed <free...@trfn.clpgh.org>
> To: Cheri Thurston <cott...@verinet.com>
> Subject: back problems
>
> Dear Cheri,
>
> I just received the Spring 1998 issue of CAPA Times and I thank you!
>
> You wrote, "As I play the accordion more and more, I am discovering a real
> down side to the instrument. My back hurts -- a lot. I have a stand for
> the accordion and try to pick up the instrument carefully, bending my
> knees. I play a slightly smaller sized model, and I avoid carrying it
> whenver I can, usually enlisting my husband to lug it around in the case.
> Nothing helps. Do others have this problem?"
>
bel...@accordions.com
"Robert Berta" <RK...@pge.com> wrote:
>I often see huge
>accordions on teeny people or staps so badly adjusted that the accordion sits
>at awkward positions.
Hi Robert (and others),
This can be a problem however when the player has been learning from a
very young age and is at an advanced level when only 8-10 years of
age. Immediately I think of when I was in China in 1988 and first
heard the young Chinese accordion prodigy Zhou Jing play not only
"Flight of the Bumble Bee" with incredible technique and speed for an
8 year old, but also a couple of free bass classical pieces.
In these cases I believe it would be of utmost importance to have some
back-strengthening excercises, otherwise their playing careers could
be incredibly short!
Wayne Knights
Toby Hanson
>A sport medicine physician could probably prescribe a regimen of
>exercises that would go a long way toward strengthening and protecting
>the back, and could also probably give good advice (patient education)
>on DOs and DON'Ts. Also, it would probably be smart to make sure we get
>enough calcium in our diets. Most importantly though, we should
>remember to use good lifting practices and to heed (HEED) the warning
>signs (back cramps, stabbing or radiating pains, that kind of stuff).
I have a regimen of back exercises that I do regularly. I used to have
some back pain when I played accordion standing for more than a couple
hours. Now I can play for four hours with minimal stress on my back. If
anyone's interested I could describe the exercises in more detail via
email.
--
-Toby Hanson
jtha...@aa.net.TREET
http://www.aa.net/~jthanson
"I know *one* kitty who's gonna sleep with mommy tonight!"
Remove ".TREET" (Armour's immitation Spam) to make address edible.
Racki, Senen [Ontario]
I play a Giulietti free bass converter (very heavy) and recently bought
some new straps from House of Musical Traditions. I opted for the
"elephant" model with lots of padding and an integrated back strap. At
first I really hated it because it totally changed my playing position.
After a few practice sessions it was a natural feeling. Now it bothers
me very much when I DON'T hook up the back strap. I'm 28 years old and
have had back problems for 3 years now. I asked my chiropractor about
my accordion playing specifically and his response was that it's not the
instruments fault, it's mine. I've gained 40 pounds in the last 4 years
and my physical activity has dropped a lot. As a result my back muscles
have weakened and the extra body weight has stressed my back. The
addition of the instrument just exceeds the threshold that my back is
able to put up with. So, not wanting to give up playing, I've began
doing some simple exercises and it's helped a lot. From experience, my
recommendations for anyone not wanting to change instruments is to
invest in a really good set of straps which either have a back strap or
can support an add-on back strap, see a chiropractor to get advise on
exercises to strengthen the back muscles, and finally, break those long
practice sessions into smaller ones with physical activities (like
walking) between.
Senen.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: jk...@watson.ibm.com [SMTP:jk...@watson.ibm.com]
> Sent: Friday, March 27, 1998 12:56 PM
> To: squee...@cs.cmu.edu
> Subject: Re: Back Problems for Accordionists
>
> In article <6fgb3u$b...@d-and-d.com>,
> The Classical Free-reed <free...@trfn.clpgh.org> quoted:
> > 7) Wear a back brace
>
> Hmmm. I wonder if anyone has ever redesigned accordion straps to
> _incorporate_ additional back support? Seems like it ought to be
> possible, though getting into and out of it might become more
> difficult...
>
> -----== Posted via Deja News, The Leader in Internet Discussion
> ==-----
> http://www.dejanews.com/ Now offering spam-free web-based
> newsreading
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
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SNAV88
Joe Natoli <jna...@sygnet.com>
Date: Fri, Mar 27, 1998 12:25
Message-id: <6fhaoi$l...@d-and-d.com> wrote:
<<
This really hits home for me because I end up at the chiropractor constantly
when I am playing the accordion...especially now that I am getting older
(44). It never really bothered me until I reached the age of about 25....then
it never stopped bothering me. You're right, it is an occupational hazard
(for some, not all) players.>>
Try doing lumbar exercises daily to keep them strengthened, and walking will
help. It's the box players that avoid keeping in shape that suffer the most.
Most of the problem stems from straining the long muscle in the back, and while
chiropractic treatments tend to assist in relieving the muscle pull by skeletal
re-alignment, the muscle is still under the stress and a return of the
situation is to be expected. I place more faith into a qualified certified
Masso-Therapist who relaxes that muscle Whether sitting, back strap use, bar
stool, or drum throne, you must be in good condition prior to the work. Before
playing, whether practicing or session, do the stretching exercises. I
remember a time when Natoli was videoing me doing exercises during an accordion
trio rehearsal in a local union hall. Everyone thought it was amusing,
but.....
<< Some never seem to be affected by it (in fact, look at the unbelievable
playing posture of Van Damme all those years and it never seemed to affect
him). >>
I found this amusing as Art did not pass his military service physical because
of a bad back. <G>
<<But when you think of the weight and the pull on the spine and neck area
fromt he straps, it's no wonder more people don't develop problems. Funny
though, I enjoy playing so much that I never notice it during playing...only
after.>>
That's an area of mine that is bothersome to this day. After 50 years of
performances and standing those four hour jobs, sometimes two jobs
back-to-back, my week spot is Cervical 5-6-7....for those unaware of that area,
it's in the lower neck about shoulder high. I attribute that to the accordion
these many years, and it started ........when, for illness, I quit exercising,
and it did the damage, never to heal. Docs say to live with it.
Steve Navoyosky
SNAV88
Bob Berta wrote:
(snip)
<<
Finally, when used correctly an accordion will actually help develop stronger
back muscles....just use correct positioning and don't use bad posture or do
stupid things like twisting and bending at the same time.
>>
I enjoyed Berta's response. Heed it well and copy it for you'll benefit
greatly. The copy-paste portion above is very important however. Proper
height chairs, stools, etc are omly a SMALL part of it.
Remember: Learn to sit correctly and maintain that posture. I do not advise a
chair as it has a back to it and the tendency is to relax and lean against the
back. Sit up straight! and closer to the front of the chair. I've used a bar
stool for years and found this productive. Drum thrones are very good as well
as you can raise them to the critical height for YOU!. I use those at times as
well as I can adjust them to a half-sit, half-stand position.
Dan Plestid
I love to play standing. I find it helps to move around a bit though if
playing for long periods and to remember to take a break or sit down to
play for a few minutes before my back feels strained. Once I can feel
it I know I'm confined to sitting (and possibly the next day too). One
of the worst things you can do is lift with your shoulders out of square
to your hips. To prevent daily deep lifts of any nature I store the
accordion on top of a five foot high file cabinet so I don't have to
bend to lug it out of the case. I am six feet tall so this puts it at
shoulder height giving me a stable lift down. I then rest a foot on a
chair and rest the accordion on the raised knee to put the straps on.
Some of the responses mention back exercises and there was even an offer
to share a regimen. While for an otherwise healthy back the exercises
might help and would probably not cause harm, in some cases they can.
I have had back problems most of my life. On one occassion about eight
years ago I had just moved and went to see a local doctor who prescribed
an anti-inflammatory and an exercise program to follow after the
prescription. This consisted of a printed sheet of 10 exercises. The
prescription didn't help and weeks later when my back was feeling better
I started the exercises for prevention -- my back got progressively
worse and I stopped them. Three years later my back was in bad shape
and I went to my new family doctor. She imparted her own tips on back
care and then pulled out the same exercise sheet the other doctor had.
The first thing she did was cross out the last four on the sheet as she
said they would aggravate my particular problem.
The remaining exercises have helped wonderfully and if my back starts up
I return to them instead of a doctor -- but I would recommend anyone
starting new exercises to see their doctor first -- and get a second
opinion if they don't work.
Dan Plestid
Accordiannna
In article <6fhrhb$q...@d-and-d.com>, "Racki, Senen [Ontario]"
<Senen...@ec.gc.ca> wrote:
> I play a Giulietti free bass converter (very heavy) and recently bought
> some new straps from House of Musical Traditions. I opted for the
> "elephant" model with lots of padding and an integrated back strap. At
> first I really hated it because it totally changed my playing position.
> After a few practice sessions it was a natural feeling. Now it bothers
> me very much when I DON'T hook up the back strap.
I am completely in the "must use a backstrap" camp. If I take one of my
instruments somewhere, and find that I have forgotten my backstrap, I will
improvise (I've used rope, a dishtowel, and my purse strap in the past)
rather than play without the back strap.
With the strap, there is virtually no stress on my shoulders or upper
back. I am a average-sized woman with smallish shoulders but nice solid
hip bones. What the strap does is transfer the weight of the accordion
from my shoulders to my hips. This works much bettter, whether standing or
sitting.
--Lorna
--
Who says five accordions are too many???
(remove 'nn" from my address to send mail)
The Classical Free-reed
Dear Joe,
I think this is important information and I'm going to put significant
comments in a special section on The Classical Free-Reed, Inc. website.
Best,
Henry
On Fri, 27 Mar 1998, Joe Natoli wrote:
> This really hits home for me because I end up at the chiropractor constantly
> when I am playing the accordion...especially now that I am getting older
> (44). It never really bothered me until I reached the age of about 25....then
> it never stopped bothering me. You're right, it is an occupational hazard
> (for some, not all) players. Some never seem to be affected by it (in fact,
> look at the unbelieveable playing posture of Van Damme all those years and it
> never seemed to affect him). But when you think of the weight and the pull on
> the spine and neck area fromt he straps, it's no wonder more people don't
> develop problems. Funny though, I enjoy playing so much that I never notice
> it during playing...only after.
>
Accordiannna
Forgot to mention that what I *did* manage to damage with the accordion
was my left hip, from carrying the case in my right hand all the time.
Another accordionist once told me that a chiropractor had advised her to
carry the case in her arms in order to balance the load. This looks silly,
but avoids twisting the spine, hips, etc.
---Lorna
Toby Hanson
In article <accordiannna-2...@tokyo-11.ppp.hooked.net>,
accord...@aol.com (Accordiannna) wrote:
>I am completely in the "must use a backstrap" camp. If I take one of my
>instruments somewhere, and find that I have forgotten my backstrap, I will
>improvise (I've used rope, a dishtowel, and my purse strap in the past)
>rather than play without the back strap.
>
>With the strap, there is virtually no stress on my shoulders or upper
>back. I am a average-sized woman with smallish shoulders but nice solid
>hip bones. What the strap does is transfer the weight of the accordion
>from my shoulders to my hips. This works much bettter, whether standing or
>sitting.
I personally don't like back straps because they tend to take the control
away from my shoulders that I like to have. Whenever I play with a
backstrap it always makes me feel like the accordion is controlling me
instead of the contrary.
JHB NIJHOF
Jeroen
Crs smitty
Now I've been playing an accordion for many years and have tried out most
gimmicks in the manner of straps and came to realize that when the straps are
properly adjusted and made of the right material you don't need a backstrap to
keep them on. I like straps of a somewhat sticky material like a good leather
suede. The velour type or velvety feel type are absolutely OUT! They always
slip off sometimes even when they fit good. Also the smooth vinyl type can
slip too easily. I sometimes don't buy accordion straps but take a pair in to
a leather worker for them to work from and have them made for me, that way I
can specify the material I want in them.
Now it's a personal preference thing I'm sure but I dislike a back strap for
the following reason - should you lose your balance by being tripped by a chair
leg or something while strolling you can regain your balance much easier if the
accordion is not too securely fastened to you by using it much as a tightrope
walker uses the pole. Maybe I'm a bit claustrophobic but getting *locked* into
that box as the back strap does for you - as much as I love the accordion -
does *not* appeal to me!!
Also though the wider shoulder straps seem to have become more popular and some
think they are more comfortable - I prefer much narrower straps than the
average sold with accordions today. The narrower the strap the easier it will
stay on your shoulder though the trade-off is that it cuts into the shoulder a
bit more. Two professionals that I have noted use very narrow straps are Dick
Contino in this country and Slavko Avsenik in Slovenia. Neither use a back
strap. Though I don't go to the extreme that Dick Contino does I stay away
from the real broad shoulder straps anyway! The narrower you can tolerate the
easier they will stay on you!
A proper fit of the accordion on the person is probably more important than
anything and I have noted many amateurs that do not *wear* the accordion
properly ( I use the term *wear* because I view the accordion much as an
article of clothing)! Far too many people tend to center the bulk of the
accordion on the body (excluding the keyboard portion) which puts the accordion
too far to the wearer's right and actually makes it uncomfortable to play by
crooking the right hand and elbow unnaturally. The grill of the accordion
should be under your chin - this is not to be able to look at the keyboard
though it certainly makes it easier to do so. On my accordion with the bellows
closed my left elbow is comfortably at my side and the treble keyboard goes
down the right side of my chest with the edge of the keyboard just about even
with the right side of my body ( hmm, I'm as wide as my accordion - and that is
just about centered with my body *but* INCLUDING the keyboard ) Also the
height of the accordion is somewhat a personal preference thing -- I have seen
some wear theirs so low I was amazed they could reach the bottom of the
keyboard. I have also seen them up tightly against the chin. The rule should
be - wear it where you can easily reach and play all areas of the keyboard
equally and that can vary from individual to individual.
I play standing up most of the time though I use a high stool sometimes when
practicing. I don't think bending over with the accordion on is a very good
practice and try to avoid it as much as possible, and without a back strap it
is easy to slip off the accordion to bend over for anything. AND I would never
*ever* say you don't need back exercises even though playing an accordion is
somewhat of a back exercise! I'm not as good at that as I should be and being
a bit overweight I know I need to follow a regimen of back exercises or I could
hurt myself with these "great instruments" (I was originally going to say
"beasts" :-) )
You know - I don't know of an occupation or a way of living that isn't tough on
one part or another of the human body -- Think about it! Those who choose to
play accordion just need to find something that works for them and like
anything else sometimes it requires extra work and sacrifice. So back to my
back exercises!
Ciao! for now!
Ron Smith, Montana Squeezebox enthusiast
Bob Barnes
A few months ago I was hit from behind in a car accident. My honda civic
was totaled, and the Sonola PA in the back sustained only minor damage.
My back, however, took quite a beating. I'm 29 years old and have never
had any problems with playing. I used to do 4-hour strollign gigs 2-3
times a week (with a 18-lb Titano) and not have any problems. I've been
in a chiropractor's care for 4 months now and I'm realizing that I've
prolly stolled my last gig.
I always sit now. I only use "elephant" staps with a back brace. I put
the box on while sittine. And of course I always bend from the knees.
Since the accident, I've had problems with pain in my right arm from bad
posture. My solution is to not practice for long spells and to use a 3/4
size box for practicing with my band. I've looked into having a wheeled
case made for me. (An ATA Flight-Certified model with 4" wheels, .75"
plywood thick enought to sit on, and a waterproof seal is only $280!)
I've accepted the fact that back problems are going to haunt the rest of
my accordion career. Sometimes you can do all the right things WRT the
accordion and you get back problems anyway.
-Bob Barnes
Toby Hanson
In article <199803311638...@ladder03.news.aol.com>,
crss...@aol.com (Crs smitty) wrote:
>Now I've been playing an accordion for many years and have tried out most
>gimmicks in the manner of straps and came to realize that when the straps are
>properly adjusted and made of the right material you don't need a backstrap to
>keep them on. I like straps of a somewhat sticky material like a good leather
>suede. The velour type or velvety feel type are absolutely OUT! They always
>slip off sometimes even when they fit good. Also the smooth vinyl type can
>slip too easily. I sometimes don't buy accordion straps but take a pair in to
>a leather worker for them to work from and have them made for me, that way I
>can specify the material I want in them.
>
>Also though the wider shoulder straps seem to have become more popular and some
>think they are more comfortable - I prefer much narrower straps than the
>average sold with accordions today. The narrower the strap the easier it will
>stay on your shoulder though the trade-off is that it cuts into the shoulder a
>bit more. Two professionals that I have noted use very narrow straps are Dick
>Contino in this country and Slavko Avsenik in Slovenia. Neither use a back
>strap. Though I don't go to the extreme that Dick Contino does I stay away
>from the real broad shoulder straps anyway! The narrower you can tolerate the
>easier they will stay on you!
I play with narrow felt-covered straps. I like the way they grip my
shoulders. Tom Demski has the thin, unpadded white leather straps that
Dick Contino prefers. I've tried his accordion before and I must admit
that I like those straps but wouldn't necessarily switch. The most
important thing for me is control. I like control over the accordion and
I feel the most control when I have thinner straps with no backstrap.
jk...@watson.ibm.com
In article <barnes.8...@winternet.com>,
bar...@winternet.com (Bob Barnes) wrote:
> size box for practicing with my band. I've looked into having a wheeled
> case made for me. (An ATA Flight-Certified model with 4" wheels, .75"
> plywood thick enought to sit on, and a waterproof seal is only $280!)
Standard warning: A sturdy case, especially plywood rather than fiberglass,
is going to add significantly to the total weight. Admittedly, wheels will
help, but you're going to notice it when lifting the instrument in and out
of your car. Try before buy.
NANCY E WALKER
What is the lightest case and easiest that still gives good
protection?...My box is 17 1/2 lbs. and with the case 24lbs....hard to
struggle into my Camry trunk..not just a lift and dump..have to slant it
and all...heavy for me....and it won't fit in the back seat without
possible damage to the leather seats...Maybe I am not prioritizing my
artist requirements correctly, but that's the way it is..so have to balance
soft case and a luggage rack with wheels..against a wheeled case that is
not too heavy to lift....any help? nancy
jk...@watson.ibm.com wrote in article <6fui9k$scg$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
F Deffner
Dear Joe,
Thank you for sharing your experience about the Pancordion being a relatively
lightweight, well-balanced and maneuverable accordion. In fact the PAN Baton
tone chamber which Myron Floren plays weighs only 23 to 24 lbs. and is a full
size instrument, with 19-1/2" keyboard, 4 and 5 sets of reeds and cassotto.
I'm sure you have seen how effortlessly he dances around with that accordion.
As this whole thread indicates, excess weight handicaps the musician. Yet, we
constantly strive for more whistles and bows on our accordions, making it
inevitable that size and weight must increase.
I remember something my good friend, the late Bill Palmer, told me about the
lute which was extremely popular a few centuries back. The lute apparently
went through a similar metamorphosis. People wanted more and more notes which
required the makers to add strings and increase its size; music was written
with significantly greater range, playable on these specially built, extended
lutes. Over the years, the instrument which had enjoyed great popularity
because it was light and portable in addition to producing pleasing music,
became an obscure instrument as it grew cumbersome and awkward. Its popularity
faded and it was replaced by lighter and more portable plectrum instruments
which both sounded good and were easier to handle.
The message was clear to me. The basic accordion already exceeds most other
instruments in range, yet accordionist seems harbor an insatiable desire for
more. (Some pianos have a few extra keys, but most pianists do not dream about
buying a piano with extended keyboard. Can you imagine violinists wanting a
fifth string on their instrument to beef up range?) Maybe violinists,
pianists, and other orchestral instrumentalists consider their instruments
adequate because they enjoy a "respectability" which saves them from confusing
"range" with "musicianship," as some of us wannabes sometimes do.
If the subject of accordion weight can produce this avalanche of email, the
question is a significant one. In manufacturing, we find that every effort to
lighten instruments through technological advances has been offset by players
seeking greater range and other weight-adding features to make up the weight
difference.
Some years ago I bought an LP by the Cambridge Buskers -- a flutist and an
accordionist (on a mere 48 bass) who was able to play up a storm despite the
limited number of reeds and piano keys and bass buttons. Is there a lesson
here?
A weighty problem we would all love to solve! But complaining about weight
while insisting on adding weighty reeds and mechanisms doesn't seem realistic,
also it discourages those who aren't already hooked on the accordion from
pursuing it at all. Every instrument has a range limitation and we might try
to learn to live with range limitations too, thus enabling the accordion to
continue to fill our musical lives with pleasure through the years.
Faithe Deffner
======================
In a message dated 04/01/98 9:35:16 PM, JoeK...@aol.com wrote:
<<Hi there, For the past few days I have read all kinds of views on the
subject of whether or not to wear a back strap , and what kind of straps to
use, whether thin or wide ones. I believe this has to be a matter of
personal preference, on types of straps. Depending on the size, weight,
style,and balance of the accordion that you are playing. The type of music
that is being played also plays a role in the straps that you use.
A few years back I sent my box out for a electronic bass unit to be
installed. I borrowed a IORIO accordion for a few weeks while my PAN was
being worked on. Talk about a contrast in balance , and weight!!!! The
IORIO weighed about 45 lbs!!!
I used the wide straps from my PAN with a back strap to keep that beast on my
back. At the time I was playing mostly Polish polkas, both Eastern and
Chicago style. A few songs that we did with the band required nonstop
bellow shaking. They only was I could keep that box from shifting on me
while bellow shaking for 3-5 minutes at a time was with the use of that back
strap.
The important thing about playing, is making sure that your
comfortable, and that the instrument is properly balanced on your body.
and HAVE FUN!!!!! Joe
>>
Robert Berta
> more. (Some pianos have a few extra keys, but most pianists do not dream
about
> buying a piano with extended keyboard. Can you imagine violinists wanting a
> fifth string on their instrument to beef up range?) Maybe violinists,
> pianists, and other orchestral instrumentalists consider their instruments
> adequate because they enjoy a "respectability" which saves them from
confusing
> "range" with "musicianship," as some of us wannabes sometimes do.
Faithe,
Great thoughts in your post. At times I feel that accordionists are always
trying to prove to the world that they play a "real instrument". While it is
nice to tinker with added bells and whistles we tend to forget that the
accordion is one of the most capable and highly developed instruments ever
invented. When one compares it to the limitations of, for example, only playing
single notes at a time on a flute or trumpet....or what can be done with 4
strings on a violin or 6 on a guitar it seems that we have a lot to be thankful
for. We can provide polyphonic playing on bass and treble, have preset chords
or single bass notes, ability to achieve fantastic dynamics with the bellows
that only a wind instrument or a violin can match. Plus we can provide our own
accompaniment while choosing different sounds via switches to play depending on
the mood of the music like an organ.
While there are certainly incredible additional tools at our disposal by going
to things like free base, extended keyboards, chin switches and additional sets
of reeds, the fact is that the simplest accordion is capable of extraordinary
things and even the finest virtuosos haven't reached its limits....maybe come
close but there are still a lot of tricks in that box.
When ever I play my accordion...or especially when I pull it apart to have a
"look under the hood" I am impressed with the genius that created the
accordion, the intricate and perfectly designed bass mechanism with its circle
of fifths, the packaging that crams so much into so little space, the nearly
ergonomically perfect instrument developed before ergonomics was even thought
of, the abilities provided by its design that allows it to be perfectly
appropriate for every possible style of music from classics to alternative to
every ethnic style known to man.
We all need to take less time defending our instrument and just play it!
Bob Berta
Eric Root
Although I currently play (and love) the English concertina, I've always
thought I would like to take up accordion of one sort or another. I've
been following this thread closely because many years of
hup-two-three-four and running on pavement singing colorful military
cadence chants have left my back and knees about ten years older than
the rest of me (two hours of dancing on wood does less harm than 5
minutes running on pavement). What a bummer what the instrument is
doing to its practitioners. I think Faithe's comments about accordion
size ar very insightful.
What it amounts to is accordionists, especially the top-end
classical professionals
who are justifiably tempted to use 15 to 20 thousand dollar ive octave
bayans or the equivalent PA will need to think in terms of having the
Italian makers make them smaller instruments. The structures of
existing mid-to-lower pricerange 3-octave accordions could be used to
house hand-made reeds and prduced in overlapping ranges (like
concertinas <8^) ). The professional accordionist would own two 7500
dollar instuments, a treble and a tenor, instead of one 15000 one, and
give up tunes that span more than three octaves (I con't guess how much
of a sacrifice that would be)
-Eric Root
-REAL guitars, you can see your reflection in 'em!
Gary Blair
<<Some years ago I bought an LP by the Cambridge Buskers -- a flutist and
an
accordionist (on a mere 48 bass) who was able to play up a storm despite
the
limited number of reeds and piano keys and bass buttons. Is there a lesson
here?>>
Great point here Faithe!
Anyone who thinks they need an all singing, dancing Accordion with 50 plus
keys and
180 Bass, just take a listen to Sandy Brechin's ''Out of his box''. He has
an amazing technique
and is a great composer. He plays a 48 Bass Hohner Student Model and makes
the cambridge#
buskers ( who are very good indeed) sound like....er..........Buskers!! ;-)
Check him out!
Regards
Gary Blair (scotland)
Hugh Barwell
Faithe Deffner wrote:
> Some years ago I bought an LP by the Cambridge Buskers -- a flutist and
an
> accordionist (on a mere 48 bass) who was able to play up a storm despite
the
> limited number of reeds and piano keys and bass buttons. Is there a
lesson
> here?
I have heard most of their recordings, and I have to say it only works
because the accordion is used as a portable accompaniment instrument. The
lead is always taken by the virtuoso woodwind player in the duo. The
accordion used sounded cheap and wheezy, lacking punch, clarity, and class.
You could not use such an instrument as a soloist.
However, I am not arguing with Faithe's main points!
Hugh Barwell
----------
> From: F Deffner <FDef...@aol.com>
> To: JoeK...@aol.com; Crss...@aol.com; squee...@cs.cmu.edu
> Subject: Back Problems for Accordionists
> Date: 03 April 1998 20:35
Toby Hanson
>Dear Joe,
>
>Thank you for sharing your experience about the Pancordion being a relatively
>lightweight, well-balanced and maneuverable accordion. In fact the PAN Baton
>tone chamber which Myron Floren plays weighs only 23 to 24 lbs. and is a full
>size instrument, with 19-1/2" keyboard, 4 and 5 sets of reeds and cassotto.
>I'm sure you have seen how effortlessly he dances around with that accordion.
>
Accordion weight is an important factor but so is balance. Having played
a few PanCordions I can attest to the excellent balance and weight
distribution of the PanCordion. My full-size Spano Musette 4/5 Chamber
weighs just under 27 pounds but the weight doesn't bother me the least bit
because the accordion is so well-balanced. One of my criticisms of other
accordions is that they're not balanced as well which makes them feel much
heavier. Balance is an exceptionally important part of the weight
equation.
>If the subject of accordion weight can produce this avalanche of email, the
>question is a significant one. In manufacturing, we find that every effort to
>lighten instruments through technological advances has been offset by players
>seeking greater range and other weight-adding features to make up the weight
>difference.
I've been working with Rick Spano to try and cut some of the weight off of
his instruments but I've found that it takes an intensive amount of design
work to produce a durable accordion that's also lightweight.