To learn play the Tex-Mex Accordion, it will help you to understand the mechanics of the instrument. It has three rows of buttons (the melody-side buttons). Each row plays a major scale. There are several tunings available: C, A, E, F and G. The positions for the chords you will learn (I,IV,V, etc.) will be the same for any accordion tuning; however, the notes you play will obviously be different. To learn to play, you must become familiar with the major scale chords, notes and the sounds these produce, so you can then easily advance on your learning.
Instructions
1. Press keys three and four of the First row (the farthest row from the bellows). Open the accordion (expand the bellows) as you press the keys. You just played the I chord, which is C major (notes C and E)
2. Press keys three and four of the Second row (the middle row). Continue opening the accordion as you press the keys. You just played the '"ii"' chord, which is D minor (notes D and F).
3. Press keys two and three of the Third row (the closest to the bellows). Continue opening the accordion as you press the keys. You just played the '"iii " chord, that is E minor (notes E and G).
4. Continue on the same process as in steps 1,2 and 3 for the remaining chords of the scale, as follows:
For the 'IV' chord, F major (notes F and A), play keys four and five (on the Second row)
For the 'V' chord, G major (notes G and B), play key three (on the Third row) and key six (on the Second row)
For the 'vi' chord, A minor (notes A and C), play keys six and seven (on the First row)
For the 'vii' chord, B minor (notes B and F), play keys six and seven (on the Second row)
For the high 'I' chord, C major, play keys seven and eight (on the First row)
5. Write on a piece of paper the buttons/rows corresponding to the I, IV, V chords (that is C major, F major and G major). Play those chords consecutively. Become familiar with their sound and location.
6. Find a Tex-Mex song or piece you like, that is on the tuning of your G-C-F accordion. Attempt to play along with it and recognize and follow the chord changes in the music.
Tags: notes play, minor notes, play keys, chord major, just played