B/C Accordion Basics
This course offers the budding accordionist the opportunity to learn from one of the greatest accordionists in the Irish tradition today - Derek Hickey. It is suitable for the absolute beginner.
Derek begins by teaching the basics of the instrument then moves onto teaching tunes and ornamentation. This course is not solely for the beginner; it also has a lot to offer the more advanced learner as it features an excellent choice of tunes that sit especially well on the button accordion. In each lesson he plays the tune at two different tempos - slowly for the beginners and at a faster pace for the more advanced learners. Many of the tunes taught are rooted in the Sliabh Luachra area of Munster - slides and polkas, as well as jigs, reels and hornpipes. By the end of the course, the student will have a tasteful repertoire of 16 tunes and a comfortable knowledge of some of the common ornaments used in Irish accordion playing - cuts, triplets and rolls.
Free B/C Accordion Basics Lesson #1
This is the first introductory lesson of the course 'B/C Accordion Basics'. Derek will teach the scale of D major on the accordion.
Free B/C Accordion Basics Lesson #2
In this lesson, Derek will teach a simple tune using the scale of D called 'Báidín Fheidhlimí'.
Free B/C Accordion Basics Lesson #3
This is the third introductory lesson of the course 'B/C Accordion Basics'. Derek will teach the scale of G major on the accordion.
Free B/C Accrdion Basics Lesson #4
In this lesson, Derek will teach a simple tune using the scale of G which he calls 'Dad's Polka'.
Free 'B/C Accordion Basics' Lesson #5
'The Brosna Slide' in G major will be taught by Derek in this lesson.
Free B/C Accordion Basics Lesson #6
In this lesson Derek will teach a simple Jig in the key of D major called 'The Rolling Wave'.
Derek will teach a simple Polka in the key of E minor called 'Downey's'. The focus of this lesson will be on the cut and accentuating the rhythm of the Polka.
In this lesson Derek will teach another Slide called 'The Cuil Aodha' in the key of D major. He will introduce the ornament the 'triplet'.
A version of the Jig 'The Cliffs of Moher' is taught in this lesson in the key of E minor. In it, Derek will continue his study of the triplet and will demonstrate how to play this ornament in a jig setting.
Another Jig will feature in this tenth lesson - An Púca, in the key of G major. Derek will introduce another type of triplet that is more rhythmic than the previous melodic triplets.
In this lesson Derek will teach 'Murphy's Hornpipe' in the key of G major. He will continue his study of triplets, focusing on both ascending and descending triplets in a Hornpipe setting.
Derek introduces the ornament 'The Roll' in this lesson. He teaches the Jig 'The Mist Covered Mountain' in the key of A minor.
In this lesson, Derek introduces the first reel of this course 'Touch Me If You Dare' in the key of G major.
Derek teaches another Polka (Gan Ainm) in this lesson, in the key of D major. He introduces a variation on the cut ornament.
In this lesson, Derek teaches another Reel called 'The Drunken Tinker' in the key of A. He continues his study of triplets and rolls.
In this lesson, Derek teaches Dennis Murphy's Slide in D major. He returns to focus on the ornament the 'cut'.
Derek teaches a D modal Reel in this lesson called 'New Custom House'. He continues his study of the 5 note roll in this tune.
In this final lesson of the course B/C Accordion Basics, Derek teaches a Barndance called 'If There Weren't Any Women in the World'. In it, he demonstrates how to use a couple of chords using the right hand.
- Báidín Fheidhlimí
- Dad's Polka
- The Brosna Slide
- The Rolling Wave
- Downey's
- The Cuil Aodha
- The Cliffs of Moher
- An Púca
- Murphy's Hornpipe
- The Mist Covered Mountain
- Touch Me If You Dare
- Gan Ainm
- The Drunken Tinker
- Dennis Murphy's Slide
- New Custom House
- If There Weren't Any Women in the World
Tutor Info
Derek Hickey
Derek Hickey hails from Adare, Co. Limerick. He started playing accordion at a young age. By the age of 18 he joined the band Arcady and then at 21 was invited by Frankie Gavin to join De Dannan. He recorded two albums with the band during the time he spent with them. Derek Hickey is.. [Read More]
