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