Learning the Accordion

Learning the accordion is hard. Difficult. Nearly impossible. I am trying to learn the piano accordion in part to honor my recently deceased grandfather who was a Master Accordionist. Yes, a "Master." Gone are the days when one could be a Master at almost anything, but up until October 2009, my grandfather, Anthony "Val" Costa, taught and performed accordion for many after some 70 + years of playing. My dad, Alan Anthony Costa, also taught and still plays the accordion, so how better to honor my family than to give this instrument a shot?

So late last October, I decided to bring one of his 12 bass "learning" accordions back to Baltimore, and although I couldn't pick it up for a few months (it just made me too sad), I finally started playing in January and decided to learn what I could on my own.

Now I think it's important to note here that I have not practiced as much as my grandfather and dad would have me practice; It has been sporadic. But I am recommitted to learning this instrument, and this morning I picked it up again for the first time in weeks and decided to try my hand at playing the bass (the side with the buttons).

Here is a short video showing what I accomplished today. I am pretty darn proud. It's a tiny, teeny, itty bitty step, but it's a step nonetheless. Enjoy. :)