North Staffs Accordion Club Newsletter February 2011 No 403
The North Staffs Accordion Club Welcomes all accordion enthusiasts playing or non-playing.
We hold a ‘Clubnite’ at Holditch Miner’s Welfare Club, Chesterton
at 8 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month where entertainment is provided by club members or guest artists.
The venue also hosts a band rehearsal all other Tuesdays and a beginners’ class every Monday at 7.30 pm. Phone 01782 823668.
Hi Everyone. Some of you wanted to know about my new addition to the family pictured in your Christmas card.
His name is Leni. He’s 5 months now and Jimi’s shadow and apprentice.
Of course Jimi’s busy teaching him all of his bad ways.
January Clubnite
The January clubnite was a members’ night and also our annual mince pie and sherry evening.
The evening began with the playalong with players selecting a song in turn; Geoff Millward on side drum and me forming the rhythm section. After one round of the circle the mince pies, cake and sherry were served. As usual I had struggled to save my Christmas cake and this time I managed to last until clubnite without opening it, so there was enough to go round. Barbara had made some lovely mince pies with three different flavours and they were delicious.
After the interval it was time for individual players. Brian Shufflebotham (right) began with The Radedski March and Lamb Skinnett and Don Bebbington followed playing Elvira Madigan and Serenade. Jeff Brundrett played The Theme from The Godfather and The Happy Wanderer. We then had a great lively slot when Steve Hughes, Les Jackson, Norman Brown and Don Bebbington joined Jeff for an impromptu ‘play by ear’ session (pictured below). They played songs like The Saints and Deep in the Heart of Texas. It was amusing to see Jeff Brundrett at one stage playing with one hand while delving into the innards with the other in a vain attempt to repair his accordion.
Wilf Bailey continued the individual playing with several numbers including Pirates of the Caribbean and Highland Cathedral followed by Paul Hobbs (above left), playing solo for a change, with I’m in the Mood for Love and Under the Bridges of Paris. Harmonica player Derek Wilton gave us On the Sunny Side of the Street and Phil the Fluter’s Ball (where he was joined by the audience clapping and singing). Richard Millward (pictured right below) then serenaded us with Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend and When Irish Eyes are Smiling, followed by Roy Degg who played O Sole Mio and
Dark Island. Finally Mike and Paul rounded off the evening with a few duets including their version of The Theme from the Godfather and a medley which included Northern Lights. It turned out to be a very enjoyable night for everyone and made a good start to the year.
February Theme
Here’s a suggestion. As the next clubnite falls on the 15th, just one day after Valentine’s Day, how about a theme night – Love?
The challenge is that each of the individual players include one (or more) song with ‘love’ in the title.
There’s plenty to choose from. Try to get one that no one else will think of and I’m sure you can accommodate the short notice.
New Drummer Joins the Band
The band has been at a loss for quite a while since our previous drummer Jack Steele (pictured left at Audley Theatre) was forced to retire due to ill health. He had been with us for a number of years and his invaluable
addition to the balance of the band was greatly missed. We have struggled on without a drummer while on the lookout for a replacement.
Last Tuesday we had the pleasure of meeting Keith Davies (pictured right), who arrived with his drum kit and from the start of the practice fitted in like a glove. The benefit to the playing
was immediate and hopefully he will be playing with us on a regular basis.
Brian – Morris Dancing.
Brian Shufflebotham continues to provide the accordion music for The Leek Morris Dance Group. Additional to all other activities, commencing the 28th January and on each subsequent Friday thereafter at 7 30pm, for about an hour, they are to hold a practice session in the rear function room at The Swan Inn, St. Edward Street, Leek. Interested spectators of morris dancing or its music will be welcome to sit in at these informal sessions free of charge. For further information contact Brian, telephone 01538 382610. The Swan Inn is at the junction in Leek of the A523 and A520, opposite St. Edwards Church.
Steve Roxton Returns to Holditch
At the March clubnite we are welcoming Steve Roxton as our guest artist at Holditch. He has visited the club before, last time at the Audley Theatre but that was more than ten years ago.
Steve is a professional accordionist and the major part of his work is entertaining holiday makers in the top hotels with a three hour one man show. He is billed as an International Accordionist/Vocalist, having played in numerous countries, playing music from around the world, and singing in eight languages.
As well as performing for the general public he also appears at accordion festivals and as guest artiste at accordion clubs and societies. Having lived in the Channel Isles, he founded ‘The Jersey Accordion Band’ and ‘Les Amis de l'Accordeon de Jersey’, a social club to promote accordion music and better playing. Visitors are made welcome at the club which still meets at The Priory Hotel, St Mary, in Jersey (on the first Tuesday of every month).
Don’t miss out on what promises to be a great evening’s entertainment
Buskers Books By Paul Hobbs
In busker’s books or music of the same format you will be given a basic tune on the treble staff (most probably all single notes) - This will be accompanied by chord symbols - The bass rhythm can be worked out from the time signature. If the tune is played like this, it is the simplest style of performance.
Think of this as a starting point! Just as an artist draws an outline sketch and then adds colours to the picture to show up light, dark and depth - then the musician must do the same when interpreting the music.
How do chords affect the melody of a tune?
They can be used as tools that can create mood, colour and emotional pull. Each chord used in a tune does not exist in a vacuum, it should fit in with the other chords, sounds and notes so that the whole feeling of the song is created. Notes can be appreciably altered by the chord used with them, but they still retain their individuality and cannot sound exactly like any other note.
When playing do not harmonize every note as the accompaniment may be too heavy and overpower the tune. Using chords and harmonizing when playing a tune is all down to making the sounds fit together so that the piece of music is enhanced.
When playing accompaniments to melodies the best instrument for checking whether the sound is right is the human ear, so listen carefully to what you play! Consider yourself to be an artist and colour in your own interpretation of the tune. Because other musicians may interpret the same basic tune differently, you will hear many different versions of well known tunes.
As a result of playing personal interpretations of many tunes (as opposed to playing other people's arrangements) a person will, in time, develop their own style.
Celebrations at Denis’s Fundraiser. th
Band member Denis Moors celebrated his sixtieth birthday at the Winking Man on Saturday February 5 asking guests to donate to the Chernobyl Children’s Project that he supports instead of bringing presents. There was music and a buffet and Denis’s daughter Lizzie sang a few numbers with the band. Denis said
that at least £2100 had been raised from the donations and that it would go towards the building of an extension to a Belarusian children’s home.
During his speech Denis surprised everyone by announcing that he had, two days earlier, proposed to his girlfriend Irina (pictured right with Denis), and that she had accepted. She stepped forward flashing a beautiful diamond engagement ring. They first met when she came over from Belarus about two years ago with one of the groups of mothers and children that Denis frequently hosts at his farm at Longnor. She was their interpreter. She also works with similar groups in Teesside as well as teaching in a secondary school in Belarus.
Club Publicity Machine Poster
We are, once again, having a concentrated effort to boost our membership and to try to make sure that every accordion player in North Staffordshire and South Cheshire knows that we exist and that they are welcome. Two small posters are enclosed with this newsletter and we request that you try to have one placed somewhere in your locality where it will be seen. The second one could be placed in your car. We are tackling libraries separately so concentrate on community, church or club halls or notice boards, local shops etc. – you know your area. If you need any more please contact me. If you are unable to use one for any reason then please let us know.
’Business’ card
Meet someone interested in your hobby, then give them your contact details with a business type card. Especially useful for members who play in public or attend festivals - but not exclusively for their use. If you think you could benefit from a few of these cards, customised with your contact details, please let me
know.
Radio s
Stoke (again!)
Last month I wrote about the club being featured in an early morning show on Radio Stoke. A few days later we were there for a second time in a week. Shelagh Mayer and Ann Millward volunteered to give radio presenter Pete Morgan an accordion lesson during The Breakfast Show on Thursday January 13th. This of course was another great opportunity to publicise our club. Following an interview by Peter about the accordion, Shelagh gave him a few minutes’ tuition before he went on to play a few lines of Hey Jude. Those of you with email will have had a copy of the recording.
Spot the mistake’ answer
I challenged you to find the mistake on the front of the newsletter last month. The answer is that newsletter no. 402 should have been closer to 312 (12 months times 26 years at the most since the club began). Seems we skipped 70 numbers in 2002 and I’m not sure where the other 20 went astray (Steve kindly says that he was probably producing it at the time). I only noticed it around Christmas. Having been a maths teacher I’m ashamed to say that it still took me 8 years to spot it!
No one got it right and the only guesses came from John Higham, from the Stockport club, who had a few attempts (our newsletter gets around!).
Inter the Internet
Buying Music Online
For musicians the internet provides dozens of ways you can browse, shop and order sheet music for delivery to your doorstep. Some websites now offer instant downloads of sheet music, which means you can be playing the music within minutes. There are free sites but their music is very limited and as buying the music is very cheap (about 2 or 3 pounds – sometimes less), it’s worth paying and getting the best choice.
How does this work? First you browse to find your site – Google can help if you key in the piece you require (e.g. ‘The Godfather Theme sheet music’). It will bring up a list of sites. I have used www.musicroom.com but there are others. Preview them first as they have different levels of difficulty, so make sure you order one that suits you. You can order and pay by credit card for the music, and have it delivered or just download it immediately for printing. If you do the latter, the site will ask you to download free software to deal with the sheet music. www.musicroom.co.uk uses Sibelius Scorch. It takes a minute to install, is free, and enables you to see the score, play it, and change the key (if you wish) before you print it. Many internet users are concerned about paying by credit card but musicroom, for one, is a trusted site.
Transportation...
When traveling with your accordion in the car, please place it in the boot and not on the back seat. If you find yourself having to break hard, or are unfortunate to be involved in an accident, a loose accordion on the back seat becomes a heavy free flying object.
The last thing you need is to be hit from behind by an accordion in its case! If it will not fit in the boot, please let it wear a seat belt!
Every Monday 7.30pm
Tuesdays other than 3rd
Every 3rd Tuesday of month
Diary
Beginners’ night at Holditch
Band rehearsal at Holditch
Clubnite at Holditch
18th/20th February 2011 Eastbourne Accordion Festival, Queens Hotel
15th March 2011 (Clubnite) 28th April 12th-15th May 2011 13th/15th May 2011
31st May 2011
Steve Roxton
Band concert, St. Paul’s Church Centre, Leek.
Accordions International 2011, Blackpool.
NAO UK Championships, Metropole Hotel, Blackpool David Vernon & Dick Lee – Special concert. Possibly Audley
16th/23rd July St Audries Bay, Somerset
18th October (Clubnite).
Pauline Hardwick
Stefan Andrusyschyn Mike Gibson
Oleg Sharov
Members’ Adverts
Accordion Tuition. Tel 01782 397248 Accordion and/or piano
Tel 07958261024 Accordion and/or piano Tel 01782 660865 Piano
For Sale Giulietti Electronic B18 accordion. 5 bass couplers, 5 treble couplers,120 bass, black, manual or midi.
Also....G.E.C. MX midi expander with foot controls, both with cases. £600 o.n.o. Ring Geoff Millward 01782 626874
Galotta 48 bass Accordion Red. 3 treble couplers, as new, good case, very good condition. £200. Mrs Dianne Lockett Tel 01260 226286
Barcarole 120 bass accordion. Black, 3 treble couplers, 3 bass couplers, good condition, hard case. £220 Phone Janet 01782 519594
Red Luciano piano accordion, 120 bass, 7 treble couplers. hard case, lovely sound, offers around £250 phone 01782 542208
Two piano accordions, both 120 bass Hohners, one black and one red, £40 each. Phone 01782 784402 or 01782 823668
Yamaha Tyros 3 Digital Workstation complete with user’s manual, CD, foot pedal, fixed stand, portable stand, stool, carrying case and dust cover. £1850 o.n.o.
Carlsboro Colt 65w. amp. 2 Channels, 4 Inputs with reverb. Good condition £100 o.n.o. Ring Wilf Bailey at 01270 213643
President Chairman Secretary Treasurer
Brian Shufflebotham Mike Richards
Shelagh Mayer Ann Millward
01538 382610 01782 642101 01782 783821 01782 638570
Committee Aubrey Lowndes, Steve Hughes, Graham Hughes, Lily Lynch, Graham Butler and Les Jackson
NAO UK Accordion Championships 13th - 15th May 2011, Metropole Hotel, Blackpool.
The 37th Accordion and Fiddle Championships take place on March 5th at Inchyra Grange Hotel, Polmont, Falkirk, Scotland. 
With the iPad 2 coming out this week, it seemed like the perfect time to check out the latest iPad accordion apps. Believe it or not, this is actually a pretty active category — we found more than 25 apps for the iPad alone, and even more for the iPhone and iPod Touch.While tapping your iPad is no substitute for playing a real accordion, it can be a handy learning tool. Imagine practicing a few scales while watching TV on the couch, or plugging in headphones and mastering a tune after the family has gone to bed. Plus, all of these apps are around $5 so (even after you factor in the cost of the iPad itself) they’re significantly cheaper than a real accordion. Here are a few we’ve tried:Hohner SqueezeboxWait, that
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