The Fredösphere

I visited my parents' house last weekend and picked up my mom's accordion.  Years ago, I started dreaming of learning the instrument and developing a bold, cutting-edge approach to the instrument.  Unfortunately, I tried it briefly and found it bewildering, so I dropped it.  Sadly, the exciting, cutting-edge work has been done by others.

This time, the experience was quite different.  The left hand is organized by the circle of fifths, so simple tonic - subdominant - dominant harmonies are a snap.  (And why would anyone need more than those three chords?)  The right hand, with its rotated and miniaturized keyboard, was not the problem I expected.  I think what made the difference this time was my decision to improvise melodies on the instrument.  Really, the thing is quite easy.

I'd love to pursue this instrument further, and I think mastering it might just bring healing to my wounded inner child, but first things first:  I paid good money for a banjo two years ago, and I'm determined it will be the next instrument I play.  Clawhammer style: no inauthentic modern innovations for me!  Except for the ones I invent myself!