Henri Ducharme is offering some of his accordion arrangements of punk/alternative rock songs for download. These are the same arrangements Henri used while teaching his workshops at Smythe’s Accordion Center in Oakland, CA. We went to one last year and learned a Dead Kennedys tune. (Few things sound more beautiful than a roomful of accordionists belting out “California Uber Alles”.)
Arrangements include songs by The Ramones, The Clash, and They Might Be Giants. Each piece costs $5 and includes both beginner and intermediate arrangements. Check out the site for sample clips of his arrangements for “Anarchy in the U.K.” and “Blitzkrieg Bop.”
5 Comments:
Hmm, that arrangement of ‘Blitzkrieg Bop’ is neat.
Me and the other guy in my band have been talking about doing an accordion-and-guitar version of ‘The KKK Took My Baby Away’.
by Jacob Haller on February 28th, 2006
Excellent! I’d like to hear how that turns out.
I think I’ll probably pick up one of the TMBG arrangements (either “Kiss Me, Son of God” or “Famous Polka”) and see how it turns out. I’ll even post an mp3 if I can get my act together.
by chris on February 28th, 2006
I am so -glad- that I found this. I haven’t started playing accordion yet, and I’d like to learn on a button accordion. Preferably, this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Full-Size-Row-Accordion-Hardshell/dp/B000B9H2OM/ref=pd_ys_qtk_saved-cart/002-1591343-6955205?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0W2HB14EW9EB5TAF18BH&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_p=249346601&pf_rd_i=home
But…I know practically nothing. I can’t tell if that’s either diatonic or chromatic. I’ve only ever played two instruments before (flute and some piano when I was younger – I still remember most of it!).
Also… Is it possible to play piano accordion music on a chromatic/diatonic accordion (whatever that one in the URL is)? I am so embarrassed for being so ignorant, but I’d really appreciate the help.
Thanks!
by S. A. Heistand on September 17th, 2007
That’s looks like a diatonic accordion; it doesn’t say which key it’s in, but I’m guessing it’s probably G/C/F (the most common). I’m not much of a button accordion expert — I only play the piano accordion. (I used to play piano before I picked up the accordion, too.)
You can play the same music on a piano accordion or diatonic/chromatic. Some tunes may be easier on one or the other, but it’s really just a matter of finding your way to the right notes!
by Chris on September 17th, 2007
So the Ducharme dude who was selling this must have given up on his business b/c I ordered the sheet music and never heard from him again. Terrible sad. PayPal complaint filed. BUT, is there any way I can get copies of the TMBG accordion sheet music from you?
Cheer.
Shiner.
by Shiner on November 3rd, 2010