Comments for billschimmel.com http://billschimmel.com/radio Accordion Radio Mon, 17 Oct 2011 03:48:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on The Old In and Out- 15 by Sheri Mignano http://billschimmel.com/radio/2011/05/the-old-in-and-out-15/comment-page-1/#comment-97 Sheri Mignano Mon, 17 Oct 2011 03:48:05 +0000 http://billschimmel.com/radio/?p=91#comment-97 Beyond the ironic duality, I would add that the accordion dwells in the realm of paradox. Anyone with a couple of lessons can play it while it takes a lifetime to learn it. The accordion spans the spectrum (highbrow/lowbrow; madonna/whore; facile/complex etc). Unfortunately, many players have denigrated it with tasteless rep, mechanical breathing, and contrived renditions that do nothing to elevate the accordion's status. Why must everything be turned into a polka? It's fun and easy to do that but can't we refuse? Resist! I'm sure that at the family gatherings, as was the case with ours, the cousins all played accordion--and yet when the hymnal piece or the traditional folk song was played, it was nostalgia that made everyone cry. Ah ha! it hit the right chord! Memories of a time of innocence. Thanks for a fun chat! Beyond the ironic duality, I would add that the accordion dwells in the realm of paradox. Anyone with a couple of lessons can play it while it takes a lifetime to learn it. The accordion spans the spectrum (highbrow/lowbrow; madonna/whore; facile/complex etc). Unfortunately, many players have denigrated it with tasteless rep, mechanical breathing, and contrived renditions that do nothing to elevate the accordion’s status. Why must everything be turned into a polka? It’s fun and easy to do that but can’t we refuse? Resist! I’m sure that at the family gatherings, as was the case with ours, the cousins all played accordion–and yet when the hymnal piece or the traditional folk song was played, it was nostalgia that made everyone cry. Ah ha! it hit the right chord! Memories of a time of innocence. Thanks for a fun chat!

]]> Comment on The Old In and Out- 14 by Dr. William Schimmel http://billschimmel.com/radio/2011/03/the-old-in-and-out-14/comment-page-1/#comment-92 Dr. William Schimmel Fri, 08 Apr 2011 01:32:16 +0000 http://billschimmel.com/radio/?p=88#comment-92 <a href="#comment-91" rel="nofollow">@sheri mignano </a> we play from the music at the met - I did a version of Wozzeck with Geneva Opera years ago and we had to memorize and act drunk. In either case it's all about concentration and focus. In Opera, everyone is part of the larger picture and keeping one's mental psyche in the actual scene and character is the main challenge. As any great actor will tell you - Know what show you're in, show up on time, learn your part well and don't trip over any sets or props. WS @sheri mignano
we play from the music at the met – I did a version of Wozzeck with Geneva Opera years ago and we had to memorize and act drunk.
In either case it’s all about concentration and focus. In Opera, everyone is part of the larger picture and keeping one’s mental psyche in the actual scene and character is the main challenge. As any great actor will tell you – Know what show you’re in, show up on time, learn your part well and don’t trip over any sets or props.
WS

]]> Comment on The Old In and Out- 14 by sheri mignano http://billschimmel.com/radio/2011/03/the-old-in-and-out-14/comment-page-1/#comment-91 sheri mignano Mon, 04 Apr 2011 02:58:32 +0000 http://billschimmel.com/radio/?p=88#comment-91 If you're on stage performing...I assume the music must be memorized, right? I'd like you to say more about the challenges in the Wozzeck. Thanks, sheri If you’re on stage performing…I assume the music must be memorized, right? I’d like you to say more about the challenges in the Wozzeck. Thanks, sheri

]]> Comment on The Old In and Out- 12 by Sheri Mignano http://billschimmel.com/radio/2010/12/the-old-in-and-out-12/comment-page-1/#comment-86 Sheri Mignano Sun, 02 Jan 2011 19:53:07 +0000 http://billschimmel.com/radio/?p=81#comment-86 Happy New Year!... had to plow thru this one, like NYC but worth it. You forgot to mention Phineas t. Barnum in your chat...to me the obvious conx. Enjoyed hearing the funky Misfit toys song. Perfect for the misfit accordionist. Best Wishes, Sher Happy New Year!… had to plow thru this one, like NYC but worth it. You forgot to mention Phineas t. Barnum in your chat…to me the obvious conx. Enjoyed hearing the funky Misfit toys song.
Perfect for the misfit accordionist. Best Wishes, Sher

]]> Comment on The Old In and Out- 9 by Billschimmel http://billschimmel.com/radio/2010/09/the-old-in-and-out-10/comment-page-1/#comment-22 Billschimmel Mon, 08 Nov 2010 02:31:43 +0000 http://billschimmel.com/radio/?p=63#comment-22 <strong>Billschimmel...</strong> [...] something about billschimmel[...]... Billschimmel…

[...] something about billschimmel[...]…

]]> Comment on The Old In and Out- 7 by Sheri Mignano http://billschimmel.com/radio/2010/05/the-old-in-and-out-7/comment-page-1/#comment-10 Sheri Mignano Mon, 09 Aug 2010 23:00:57 +0000 http://billschimmel.com/radio/?p=56#comment-10 Well, darn! I missed your musette discussion. I just published a new book on the musette and the dances. If only I had tuned in, I might have been able to include some of your comments as contribution. So, I'll listen tonight and see what I missed. Perhaps, in a 2nd edition, I can add more to the book. Thank you for providing this chat room. I think you're providing a great service by holding these dialogues. Sheri PS, I'll send you the E-book. hope your address is somewhere on the website... Well, darn! I missed your musette discussion. I just published a new book on the musette and the dances. If only I had tuned in, I might have been able to include some of your comments as contribution. So, I’ll listen tonight and see what I missed. Perhaps, in a 2nd edition, I can add more to the book. Thank you for providing this chat room. I think you’re providing a great service by holding these dialogues. Sheri PS, I’ll send you the E-book. hope your address is somewhere on the website…

]]> Comment on The Old In and Out- 6 by Sheri Mignano http://billschimmel.com/radio/2010/03/the-old-in-and-out-6/comment-page-1/#comment-6 Sheri Mignano Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:30:23 +0000 http://billschimmel.com/radio/?p=51#comment-6 Dear Bill, I am enjoying the dialogue. I've only listened to a couple but find them more than banter. I was curious why no one has (apparently) submitted any comments...so here's mine. I grew up in Goosetown, Italian ghetto in San Jose, and studied accordion there. I was born in '46 as well--but when people ask me how long I've played, I usually say "Kennedy was President." It's true. I never won a statue but I played Tchaikovsky in 4-part accordion bands. I've spent my life trying to elevate the accordion since it has been in the mud for so long. Thank you for providing these discussions. I have your CD--with Miami Beach rumba and I've played it for many,many decades. i'll be playing it next week at the San Francisco Accordion Club, and I'll dedicate my version of it to you. Ciao, and please let us know when you come out to the bay area, will you? Ci vediamo, Sheri Dear Bill,
I am enjoying the dialogue. I’ve only listened to a couple but find them more than banter.
I was curious why no one has (apparently) submitted any comments…so here’s mine.
I grew up in Goosetown, Italian ghetto in San Jose, and studied accordion there. I was born in ’46 as well–but when people ask me how long I’ve played, I usually say “Kennedy was President.” It’s true.
I never won a statue but I played Tchaikovsky in 4-part accordion bands. I’ve spent my life trying to elevate the accordion since it has been in the mud for so long.
Thank you for providing these discussions. I have your CD–with Miami Beach rumba and I’ve played it for many,many decades. i’ll be playing it next week at the San Francisco Accordion Club, and I’ll dedicate my version of it to you. Ciao, and please let us know when you come out to the bay area, will you? Ci vediamo, Sheri

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