[Harp-L] Oblivion - Aydar Gaynullin & Euphoria Orchestra

[David Naiditch]

As Slim points out, the accordina can sound a lot like a chromatic harmonica.  Being a prankster, I’ve sent accordina recordings to professional harmonica players who were blown away by the supposed harmonica player’s virtuosity. 

For the accordina, like the melodica, you blow through a single mouthpiece.  Unlike the melodica, however, the accordina has keyboard similar to the rows of round buttons on chromatic button accordion.  This allows one to play around 3 ½ octaves on a compact instrument, some versions under a foot long.  It is also played right up to the mouth which facilitates the ability to bend notes with fine control and use a lot of tonguing techniques.  (By the way, accordion players can also do some note bending.)

In addition to those provided, here is a good example of Ludovic Beier playing an accordina solo. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI5VJGZgvXs

> On Jul 26, 2020, at 6:27 AM, Slim Heilpern <slim at xxxxx> wrote:
> 
> I'd say the relationship to the harmonica is its ability to imitate a chromatic harmonica (including a certain degree of note bending), and in the proper hands it can blow most chromatic players out of the water in terms of speed (but not with respect to expression) and then of course there's the chording ability. I do get quite jealous (as well as motivated to up my chromatic game) listening to what can be done with it.
> 
> Pretty sure it's exhale only, and yes a single aperture like a melodica. 
> 
> - Slim
> 
>> On Jul 25, 2020, at 11:30 PM, Rick Dempster <rickdempster33 at xxxxx <mailto:rickdempster33 at xxxxx>> wrote:
>> 
>> Apart from the free reeds, I don't see it has a lot to do with the harmonica.
>> First question; do you inhale as well as exhaling to play a different not?
>> He appears to be playing through a single aperture, too.
>> RD
>> 
>> On Fri, 24 Jul 2020 at 21:45, David Naiditch <davidnaiditch at xxxxx <mailto:davidnaiditch at xxxxx>> wrote:
>> Interestingly, in 2006 Ludovic Beier performed with Toots Thielemans at Carnegie Hall, along with Herbie Hancock and Ivan Lins.  I talked to Ludovic (who performed several times at our house concerts with the Django Festival All-Stars) about is deep admiration of Toots.
>> 
>> > On Jul 23, 2020, at 6:44 AM, Slim Heilpern <slim at xxxxx <mailto:slim at xxxxx>> wrote:
>> > 
>> > Hi Randy -
>> > 
>> > That's an "accordina", it's like a good sounding melodica, but with buttons.
>> > 
>> > One of my favorite players on the instrument is Ludovic Beier, who plays with a lot of the Gypsy Jazz greats (but mostly on accordion):
>> > 
>> > https://youtu.be/mg_BOfFYO7Q <https://youtu.be/mg_BOfFYO7Q> <https://youtu.be/mg_BOfFYO7Q <https://youtu.be/mg_BOfFYO7Q>>
>> > 
>> > Another is Richard Galliano:
>> > 
>> > https://youtu.be/Ig70neyYhBE <https://youtu.be/Ig70neyYhBE> <https://youtu.be/Ig70neyYhBE <https://youtu.be/Ig70neyYhBE>>
>> > 
>> > - Slim
>> > 
>> > 
>> > 
>> >> On Jul 22, 2020, at 12:29 PM, randy singer <randy at xxxxx <mailto:randy at xxxxx> <mailto:randy at xxxxx <mailto:randy at xxxxx>>> wrote:
>> >> 
>> >> https://youtu.be/CkAbClQs9ts <https://youtu.be/CkAbClQs9ts> <https://youtu.be/CkAbClQs9ts <https://youtu.be/CkAbClQs9ts>>
>> >> I’ve never seen this instrument for before it seems to be a distant cousin of the Harmonica. Harmonica meet Accordian
>> >> 
>> >> Sent from my iPhone
>> > 
>> 
>