Accordion
Lesson 6a. Leaving Lismore
John’s first lesson in his Next Steps Course, looks at a lovely gaelic waltz in the key of D Major. This lesson immediately follows on from his Beginners’ Course. This Post
Next Steps for Accordionists
What to do once you've learnt the basics
The Next Steps for Accordionists course is a series of lessons that follows on directly from the previous “Accordion for Beginners” course.
With the first lesson numbered as Lesson 6, so as to recognise the previous course, a similar format is used where right hand melody, left hand accompaniment and both hands together are taught in separate clips.
Downloadable sheet music is available for each tune.
Your Tutor - John Somerville
Accordionist John Somerville is one of the current crop of exciting musicians to emerge form Scotland’s vibrant Folk scene. His current musical itinerary includes playing with supergroup Treacherous Orchestra, Cask Strength Ceilidh Band and along with outstanding fiddler Adam Sutherland. He has also worked with David Byrne, Salsa Celtica, Franz Ferdinand, Session A9, Babelfish and Croft No Five. He has taught at organisations including the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Fèisean Nan Gàidheal, University of the Highlands and Islands, Falkirk Traditional Music Project and Celtic Connections festival.
Lessons in the Series
Click on a lesson to be taken to it (you must be a subscriber)
Accordion
Lesson 6b. Tuireadh Iain Ruaidh
John continues this lesson by looking at another waltz that translates as Lament for Red Iain, this time in the key of A Major. This Post is only available to subscribed
Accordion
Lesson 7a. The Fox
John moves onto a tune that is in a pipe scale, also known as a Mixolydian mode; a scale that has the 7th note lowered by a semitone. This Post is
Accordion
Lesson 7b. The Battle of Waterloo
John next looks at a very popular traditional pipe march in 4/4 time adding to the skills already learnt. This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login
Accordion
Lesson 7c. The Barren Rocks of Aden
John turns his attention to a very well known march that complements the pipe marches already learnt. This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login
Accordion
Lesson 8a. Jig Preparation
An important lesson is up next from John where he delves in to the jig and the requirements for playing in this rhythm. This Post is only available to subscribed members.
Accordion
Lesson 8b. The Eavesdropper
After looking at the basics of the jig, John turns his attention to a great jig to start our 6/8 journey on! This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login
Accordion
Lesson 8c. Ness Bothan
Next up from John is a fabulous tune in D Major to continue the journey looking at jigs! This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login
Accordion
Lesson 8d. Mckenna’s Jig
The next tune on John’s series for accordion is another brilliant jig in the key of D, looking at some split chords. This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login
Accordion
Lesson 8e. The Tenpenny Bit
A great jig in a minor key this time – The Tenpenny Bit. This tune is in the key of A minor, so along with the melody John teaches some new chords.
Accordion
Lesson 8f. The Rabbit
This time John looks at a slip jig; a jig in 9/8 rather than the usual 6/8 jig. He explains this time signature before looking at a slip jig by Kevin O’Neill.
Accordion
Lesson 9. Pipe March Prep
Before John starts teaching the next tune, he does some preparatory work looking at the distinctive 6/8 Pipe March. This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login
Accordion
Lesson 9b. The Heights of Cassino
John now turns his attention to the brilliant pipe march The Heights of Cassino by Pipe Major Donald MacRae of the Queens’ Own Highlanders. Here he looks at the first two sections
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