Piano Accordion - Karen Tweed
Learn to play the Irish Piano Accordion in this tutorial. Instruction is provided by tutor Karen Tweed. Video and audio files combine with music notation, text and photos to make the learning process as easy as possible.
Karen Tweed is the most admired and prolific piano accordionist in the history of Irish traditional music. With 15 album credits, a relentless touring schedule, and, teaching posts at England's top summer schools, Karen has transformed the image of the piano accordion in twelve short years.
She can be regularly found at the Folk Beat Derby Festival and Folkworks Adult Summer School, Durham, and, from September Karen will be taking a post as Core Tutor and Assistant to the Director (Alistair Anderson) on the Degree Course in Folk Music at Durham University.
The tutorial caters for all levels from the absolute beginner to very advanced players. The tutorial also includes a performance piece and an interview with the tutor.
Beginners
In the beginners' section Karen demonstrates the basic skills of piano accordion playing using easy, slow-paced tunes. Jigs and reels are then introduced and ornaments are added gradually. The individual parts of these tunes are demonstrated on video at a slow pace and the full tune is subsequently demonstrated at a medium pace so that you can play along. Right- and left-hand fingerings are demonstrated in detail and, standard and alternative bass lines are suggested.
Topics Covered:
- 16 Tunes
- Pop-up Video Screens
- Reading Music
- Precise Musical Notation
- Notes and Scales
- Easy Airs
- Beginners' Jigs and Reels
- Three-Note Triplets
- Cuts and Rolls
- Right- and Left-Hand Fingering
- Jigs and Reels with Ornamentation
Advanced
The advanced section features jigs and reels that are more highly ornamented. Other tune types - Polkas, Slides and Hornpipes - are also presented. Karen demonstrates a range of ornamentation techniques and bass patterns unique to her style:
Topics Covered:
- 13 Tunes Including
- Jigs and Reels
- Polkas and Slides
- Hornpipes
- Slip Jigs
- Advanced Bass Patterns
- Fundamentals and Counter basses
- Seventh and Diminished Chords
- Single-Note Triplets
- Bellows Pulse
- Minor Keys
These tutorials are brought to you by Trad Irish Music in cooperation with Mad For Trad.
