I had that German job this coming week so I took out the accordion to practice. Thought I try this piece again before I put it away. I'm pleased to see my fingers are still up to snuff, especially after that scare I had with the stiffness a few months ago.

Your fingers are fine LOL. Interesting piece and excuse me for not knowing better but I think it could of actually been better a little slower.
Nice playing anyway.

Try a little bit more staccato ..

Bill....I've heard that piece played at different tempos, but I'd have to agree with you. I played it too fast to even appreciate it myself.

As an aside......the tension that you left behind (in this area) when you moved is not real conducive to playing great music. Don't ever regret leaving here!

Well done Mark !!! your old mentor John Leslie in the UK would be proud of you .

I'm happy I could still play the piece after not touching it in years. I did one pass at it with a cheapo tape recorder so I'm happy with the way it came out.

Now.....since I "haven't touched it in years," it would have been nice to hear something like Bill said....."nice playing."

Hi Giovanni........always nice to hear from you. It was because of everything John taught me that I developed great finger technique. But, I think I mentioned to you that I called him just a few years ago to thank him for "everything he did for me"and I was saddened when he said he didn't even remember. Another Glen Campbell case?

But it really is nice to hear from you. Every time I see the name Giovanni from over there across the ocean I go on this wonderful nostalgia trip!

Your friend,

Mark

I didn't say it's bad or anything like that. It was more like encouragement from one accordion guy to another. Fake "nice job" doesn't help anyone.

Well I'm impressed. That sounded really hard!

Just curious: when you perform live on the accordion, do you play solo, with the band, or backing tracks?

Mark,

Man that's some fast playing! Nice work! I'm with Bill maybe a little slower would have been more enjoyable. Nevertheless that's some technique.

Mark ... My arthritic fingers will never move that fast again ... Nice going and thanks for posting ...

Thanks Montuno....it is hard! I'm really surprised I could still play it.

When I play accordion on the job, it's just......accordion....not even amplified. But I have a tone chamber in it that gives me extra volume. Also, I sing the tunes more than I play them with a rough formula of: sing 3-4 songs and then do an instrumental to break it up and then talking between that. When I play with a band I had the accordion fitted with s Sennheiser pickup so I bring an amp.

I have to thank you guys for the "too fast" comments (and myself for posting this piece). The "penny dropped" after I read what you wrote. Yes, I AM playing EVERYTHING too fast. Even when I'm performing live......too fast! Often jumping ahead of the (sing-a-long) audience. I noticed that these last few years, but as fast as I notice it that's how fast I forget it.

I already mentioned to Bill above, the environment here (he used to live in this area) is.......fast, fast, fast. People talk fast, drive fast, eat fast, walk fast, shop fast....did I leave anything out? Actually, the good thing about their "fast" habits is they move so fast, they don't even notice that I'm playing "fast!"

I mention this now, because you brought it to my attention again. I don't play as calmly and relaxed as I did years ago. I even do that on the piano. The tension here is really affecting my playing.

I've been thinking for a while now about moving to a less hectic area, but the price you pay is.....no place to play. Around here there are hundreds of senior places and they're building expensive senior retirement complexes like there's no tomorrow. And each one has a clubhouse where they use entertainment. Then there’s the constant Festivals, social events, weddings, company parties, etc. But, man……you really “pay the price!”

Thanks again for reminding me to slow down. Now that I think about it, even my Moonlight Sonata is “too fast!” Beethoven must be turning in his grave listening to me play that!

Don't want to send you off to the races Mark, but I don't understand the different reactions to "Try a little bit more staccato .." and "try slowing it down a bit". Both were merely suggestions. The thing is, if one can't feel free to comment honestly on a posted performance, isn't that going to kind of skew your feedback?....not to mention, respond with anything other than "nice job" or "nice playing". I say, if you post it, own it. Just wade through all the comments and suggestions and consider or implement those that make sense to you. You can't demand what response you want (unless you live in North Korea ). Please consider this an impartial response to YOUR response to Mirza's comment. On a personal level, I admire you for being one of the handful of guys on this forum capable of performing classical pieces or pieces that clearly require a high level of training and ability. In my opinion, the better you can play a non-arranger, the better you can play an arranger.

chas