Add To Calendar
Share Description
The Parlor Room School of Music Presents
Piano Accordion Techniques for Traditional Dance Music w/ Rachel Bell
at The Parlor Room
Tuesday, April 11
5pm - 6:30pm
TICKETS:$25 GA / $20 Members
Welcome to the piano accordion as a powerful, versatile instrument that can do way more than play oom-pah, oom-pah! We will work on a couple exciting tunes in the contra dance/Celtic/French dance music realm. The tunes will be simple (but engaging!) so that they can serve as a vehicle for expanding your piano accordion technique toolbox. We'll discuss effective fingering, phrasing, and articulation for the right hand. We'll learn a couple of fun bass tricks for the left hand. We'll think about the bellows as if we're singers, using breath control and dynamics. If there's time, we'll even explore a few ideas for your right hand when you're not playing melody. We'll wrap it up by merging all the elements all together, like a big accordion party. Come with at least a basic level of proficiency on the piano accordion. The workshop will shape-shift to meet the needs of folks on the advanced beginner/early intermediate level all the way up through experienced players. If you have questions about levels, contact rachel@rachelbellmusic.com No need to worry if you're more comfortable working by ear or from sheet music, as we'll use a combination of both strategies. For samples of the style we'll be working in, check out the recordings and videos here: http://www.rachelbellmusic.com
Rachel Bell
Rachel Bell is an accordion player based in Brattleboro, VT, and in demand throughout North America and abroad for concerts, contra dances, French bal folk dances, English country dances, workshops, camps, and festivals. This performer, tunesmith, and teacher draws her inspiration from Celtic, French, English, Quebecois, and New England traditions. She thrives on ensemble work, especially with her bands Eloise & Co., Peregrine Road, Alchemy, and various combinations with Susan Kevra. In 2021, Rachel published a book of her original tunes, and it has sold over 400 copies! Her latest endeavors include starting a monthly bal folk dance at home with her bandmate Becky Tracy and delving into the wild world of grant writing to secure funding for projects like new band videos: https://youtu.be/ZVajnWWA6jQ When she’s not playing music, Rachel can usually be found looking for waterfalls or drinking a lot of espresso. www.rachelbellmusic.com
The Parlor Room Nonprofit and School of Music's mission is to: Promote a vibrant musical community in downtown Northampton, MA for musicians of all abilities and at all stages of their career. The Parlor Room will bring nationally touring and local acts to our listening room to provide an exceptional experience for the artist and audience and guide musicians and anyone interested in a career in the music industry through our school of music. Learn more at parlorroom.org.
The Parlor Room is a BYOB venue. Tickets are non-refundable.
The Parlor Room is located at 32 Masonic Street Northampton, MA 01060
Date & Time
Tue, Apr 11, 2023 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Venue Details
The Parlor Room
32 Masonic StreetNorthampton, Massachusetts 01060
