Music Lessons in Englewood, CO

Instruments: Accordion

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
It was known in the neighborhood that I could play well, so I was hired to play a couple of (very poor) weddings when I was about 14. Then by word of mouth and recommendation of my final teacher I played lots of weddings, barmitzvahs etc.

Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
No, I have been a performer not a teacher for years now. However, one of my students became very successful playing eastern european groups - polkas and rondos.

What is your dream piece to perform and why?
It was Malaguena but I've lost a little bit of my speed. I'm 72 years old. Although, I can play songs like But Beautiful, So In Love, Moonlight Serenade, very well. I have a couple of 'fake' books that I put together on my own that work well as dinner music, wedding music, club music. I believe I can play many of the songs as well as my deceased teacher, which is saying a lot.

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Start every practice session with both hand exercises: C major bass with the right hand exercise going up the keys from C to octave C. Then a concentrated exercise on the bass only. Finally, more complex right hand exercises without the bass. Repetition is really important, even if the student doesn't understand how the exercises help them at first, when they start playing songs it will click in. This is why I recommend the Palmer books for beginners and some intermediates. Palmer begins with an exercise that enhances the song that follows the exercise. Polkas are generally the most easily learned and appreciated by the student who is bored with exercises. Practice should be in two parts: one twenty minutes on exercises and one thirty five minutes on songs.

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
My first instrument was trumpet, because my father played trumpet. Maybe it was my breath control but I didn't like to play trumpet. I thought the fingering was confusing also. Then my dad brought home a lady size full 120 bass accordion and got me teachers and himself. When I was in the fourth grade, the teacher had those of us who played music our instruments. There were four kids with accordion and a number of others with trumpets, saxophones, guitars etc. I could play all sorts of Polkas, Italian songs, and Bye Bye Love from the Everly Brothers. No one of the other kids were as advanced as I was. I got a great deal of adulation from everyone.

Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
Yes, the Palmer method and get a couple fake books from Amazon! The fake books have 1200 songs each and they run the gamut : broadway, rock, classical, pop. They're about $25 a piece and you can create your own song book by removing the songs you like and making your own fakebook.

When will I start to see results?
In students with some talent, I see results within three lessons. In students with natural talent, generally after one lesson and a week of practice. If a child does not have, at least, some innate musical 'feel,' it is probably better to try another of the arts. I know people who are geniuses who can't sing or play no matter what their intelligence level. I know people who sat down at a piano when they were little and can play with the slightest bit of instruction. Look at Stevie Wonder or Ray Charles. Also, great jazz artists like Errol Garner, never had a lesson!

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