Simply genius! I grew up with this music in Chicago, and have played for 62 years. I play by ear, and have played all of these tunes for years…poorly. ( Not the kitchen sink polka!) I wish I’d have seen this 50 years ago! How clear and helpful. I’ll be better as a result. Thanks, Alex!
Glad to be a help! I'm in Chicagoland this weekend- performing at the Illinois Polka Fest on Friday and Saturday (Saturday is when I have my feature sets). If you're around Schaumburg, come on over!!
GROWING UP IN AN ITALIAN PLACE CALLED ROSETO PA WHEN I STARTED PLAYING ACCORDION AT 11 YEARS OLD I DID NOT PLAY ANY BAVARIAN MUSIC. THAN AT AGE 23 DEVELOPED A FRIENDSHIP WITH A LADY WHO WAS A GERMAM IMMIGRANT. SHE WOULD SING THE SONGS AND I LEARNED HOW TO PLAY THEM. THAN IN 1983 I WENT TO THE BAVARIAN INN AND THEY HIRED ME ON THE ACCORDION AND MY SON ON THE DRUMS. THAN MY SON AND I STARTED PLAYING FOR MANY OCTOBERFESTS AROUND THE LEHIGH VALLEY AREA. THIS YEAR AFTER 40 YEARS OF PERFORMING I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PLAY DUE TO A GOUT DISORDER IN MY HANDS. THIS VIDEO WAS OUTSTANDING AND BROUGHT BACK MANY FOND MEMORIES OF ALL THE MANY HAPPY TIMES PLAYING FOR OCTOBERFESTS GATHERINGS. I CAN WATCH UR FINGERS SPEEDING OVER THE KEYS TO THE KITCHEN SINK TUNE OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THANK YOU FOR THIS SPECTACULAR PERFORMANCE AND PRESENTATION OF ALL THE SONGS. NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN KNEW WAYS TO PLAY SUCH A VERSATILE ENJOYABLE INSTRUMENT. 😍🎹🎶🎵💖
@@alexmeixner I'd love to once life allows (which will hopefully be soon!) Finding an instructor in my area of Ohio that knows what a Styrian is, let alone how to play one, has been a lesson in futility. I'll be in touch :)
@@alexmeixner... I am in the market to buy my first Accordion... my "problem" is.... Keys or Buttons?? Which is really Easier to learn on, and Why is one "easier" than the other, or... is it just a matter of preference?? I am 70 years "young"... Soooo, have "maybe" 24 +/- yrs (going by my parents and grandparents, longevity). Thank you for your reply in advance.... would really appreciate your advice.. Soon, so I can get my Accordion and get to learning... time is running out.
FANTASTIC👍🪗My favorite accordion player teaching just what I need to be authentic. I played a solo Oktoberfest party a couple of weeks ago and now I have a couple more to do. Whoo Hoo who knew? Great tips. I have seen you Alex in person with his band. Super Dynamic and exciting. Thank you so much ❤️🎶
Good stuff! If ya ever need more guidance I do teach lessons to advanced students on developing repertoire and set order/ pacing.. solo vs band accompanying...
I have a few years of experience seeing things work, or not... The most important thing to remember is that there is no set formula that will always work... the more repertoire and flexibility you have, the better the options!
In 2017 our accordion club - consisting mostly of novice players- began an Oktoberfest tradition: A waltz medley based on Du, du, liegst mir ihm herzen that floated through "songs you didn't know were German." I'm going to share your insight that people singing, swaying, and enjoying a beverage need a consistent tempo to avoid sloshing their beverage on a neighbor! THANKS!
Alex, This video is invaluable! I have been playing it on half speed to try and learn all beautiful embellishments you add when you’re playing. The best way to learn is by mimicking those who inspire you, and I have a lot of learning to do from you! Thank you!!!
Glad it was helpful! That's the most important way to learn. You can't embellish if ya don't know what you want it to sound like. Get the vocabulary by emulating others and your own style develops from there!
Thanks Alex, Excellent video. As usual, you advice and performances were awesome. When I played in the Allentown Hungarian/Austrian clubs many years ago, we often would mix the polka/waltz routine by throwing in a Landler or even a Schuhplattler. It always seemed to generate increased audience participation (dance, yodeling, etc.) . The Landler intro chords always got the audiences attention! Love your videos, and have been dusting off my accordion after many years.
QUESS WHAT ALEX. I AM SO EXCITED I WILL BE PLAYING ON CHANNEL 69 ON OCTOBER 2ND. AND SO GLAD I FOUND THIS WONDERFUL VIDEO OF SONGS TO PLAY. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE PLAYED THEM FOR MANY OCTOBERFEST GATHERINGS ITS GOOD FOR ME TO HEAR WHAT YOU DO. IT WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR ME TO PICK THE RIGHT SONGS 🎵 IN ONLY ABOUT 10 OR 15 MINUTES. HELP!!!!FROM TERRIE IN BETHLEHEM WHO ADORES YOU AND YOUR MAGN8FICENT SMILE AND GREAT ACCORDIONIST. 👍 👌 😀 😄 😊 😁 NOONE CAN COMPARE TO YOU. I LOVE THE WAY YOU SPEAK AND EXPLAIN EVERYTHING SOOOOO CLEARLY. LOL FROM TERRIE IN BETHLEHEM. TILL WE MEET AGAIN GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU WELL. 🙏 ❤️ ✨️ ♥️
Seen yall in Helen Ga. On Tuesday for Octoberfest...what an awesome time and you totally had the crowd in your palm of the hand..thank you so much for rocking out on my date night..we had the most excellent of stellar times..blessings
I live about a 50 minute drive from Helen. Hit up Helen a couple times a year , making sure one of those trips is during Oktoberfest. Unfortunately missed this sick ass dude but it's cool to hear other people hitting up Helen and digging on Oktoberfest music and whatnot
Great lesson! I play a lot of Oktoberfests but I can always improve. I struggle most with connecting with the audience and adding all those special ornaments to give the performance an extra pop!
We all can always be improving! Every performance I have makes me realize how many things I can improve in the technical playing of the instrument, increasing repertoire, finding the right tempos and volumes for the audience, connecting the right repertoire/ announcing, working with the presenters... there's tons to critique at all times. At the same time- do your best, keep searching for new methods and most importantly have fun! The last step is the most important, because it's most difficult to connect and entertain with an audience if you're not right there with them. Best of luck with your performances and hope to hear ya sometime!
This is great! I see you have a shout out to Dallas. Playing by ear isn't quite the struggle it was for me just a short time ago and I'm really enjoying that. Thanks for this video and the additional links.
Oh, my gosh! Accordion rep - the constant struggle no one tells you about! lol I appreciate the heck out of you making videos like this! In my experience so far, there are three categories of accordion tunes available to learn: 1 - played to death. 2 - non-existent arrangement (a LOT of Ukrainian music falls into this category, unfortunately) or 3 - Impossible Joey Miskulin-style arrangement! If you want anything remotely obscure and intermediate, you need to find a long-out-of-print score, or figure it out on your own - which is certainly rewarding, but it is a time consuming endeavor, depending on the what the piece is.
Yes there are plenty of struggles with accordion rep- though each instrument/ musical style has it's challenges! I am enjoying teaching these days to break down those barriers and find paths for each student to reach goals...
CAN U MAKE A VIDEO OF JUST PLAYING THE KITCHEN SINK POLKA SO I CAN GET TO IT QUICK AND WATCH YOU PLAY IT. U HAVE MANY ACCORDIONS. HOW DO U DECIDE WHICH ONE TO USE. DOES IT DEPEND ON SONG UR PLAYING OR WHERE UR PERFORMING AND AUDIENCE. HOW U REMEMBER THE THOUSANDS OF SONGS YOU PLAY AND SING IS MINDBOGGLING AND INCREDIBLY MASTERFUL. WANDERBAR !!!!!!!AWESOME MEMORY AND GREAT SHOWMANSHIP!!!!!!
I don't play Chromatic Button Accordion, but many musicians play polkas on them. The musical aspects are all the same as on the Piano Accordion-- it's just different techniques.
Alex, Where did you say you get your Liederhosen again? I am playing an Octoberfest, This weekend at a German Restaurant in New Jersey, and one in Two weeks in New York.
Thank you Alex, Im learning the accordion and would love to learn those bass walks, they make the songs beautiful. Is there any material you know to learn these in relation to rithms?
A lot of these I perform and teach in conjunction with music theory lessons-- arpeggios, scalar runs in similar and contrary motion that come together in steps... starting with simple repertoire and building up.
Simply genius! I grew up with this music in Chicago, and have played for 62 years. I play by ear, and have played all of these tunes for years…poorly. ( Not the kitchen sink polka!)
I wish I’d have seen this 50 years ago! How clear and helpful. I’ll be better as a result. Thanks, Alex!
Glad to be a help! I'm in Chicagoland this weekend- performing at the Illinois Polka Fest on Friday and Saturday (Saturday is when I have my feature sets). If you're around Schaumburg, come on over!!
GROWING UP IN AN ITALIAN PLACE CALLED ROSETO PA WHEN I STARTED PLAYING ACCORDION AT 11 YEARS OLD I DID NOT PLAY ANY BAVARIAN MUSIC. THAN AT AGE 23 DEVELOPED A FRIENDSHIP WITH A LADY WHO WAS A GERMAM IMMIGRANT. SHE WOULD SING THE SONGS AND I LEARNED HOW TO PLAY THEM. THAN IN 1983 I WENT TO THE BAVARIAN INN AND THEY HIRED ME ON THE ACCORDION AND MY SON ON THE DRUMS. THAN MY SON AND I STARTED PLAYING FOR MANY OCTOBERFESTS AROUND THE LEHIGH VALLEY AREA. THIS YEAR AFTER 40 YEARS OF PERFORMING I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PLAY DUE TO A GOUT DISORDER IN MY HANDS. THIS VIDEO WAS OUTSTANDING AND BROUGHT BACK MANY FOND MEMORIES OF ALL THE MANY HAPPY TIMES PLAYING FOR OCTOBERFESTS GATHERINGS. I CAN WATCH UR FINGERS SPEEDING OVER THE KEYS TO THE KITCHEN SINK TUNE OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THANK YOU FOR THIS SPECTACULAR PERFORMANCE AND PRESENTATION OF ALL THE SONGS. NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN KNEW WAYS TO PLAY SUCH A VERSATILE ENJOYABLE INSTRUMENT. 😍🎹🎶🎵💖
Wonderful memories... :)
I inherited my grandfather's button accordion a few years ago and aspire to learn. This is a great aspirational video. Thank you!
Wonderful! I teach lessons via www.patreon.com/alexmeixner
Hope to have the opportunity to help you learn!
@@alexmeixner I'd love to once life allows (which will hopefully be soon!) Finding an instructor in my area of Ohio that knows what a Styrian is, let alone how to play one, has been a lesson in futility. I'll be in touch :)
@@alexmeixner... I am in the market to buy my first Accordion... my "problem" is.... Keys or Buttons?? Which is really Easier to learn on, and Why is one "easier" than the other, or... is it just a matter of preference?? I am 70 years "young"... Soooo, have "maybe" 24 +/- yrs (going by my parents and grandparents, longevity). Thank you for your reply in advance.... would really appreciate your advice.. Soon, so I can get my Accordion and get to learning... time is running out.
@@AndroidM8What part of Ohio? I grew up in Warren.
@@boboscurse4130 Girard!
FANTASTIC👍🪗My favorite accordion player teaching just what I need to be authentic. I played a solo Oktoberfest party a couple of weeks ago and now I have a couple more to do. Whoo Hoo who knew? Great tips. I have seen you Alex in person with his band. Super Dynamic and exciting. Thank you so much ❤️🎶
Good stuff! If ya ever need more guidance I do teach lessons to advanced students on developing repertoire and set order/ pacing.. solo vs band accompanying...
Der Schnee Walzer, my favorite. ❄️
One of mine too!
So much goes into Oktoberfesting on the accordion! Especially everything you do to connect with the audience.
I have a few years of experience seeing things work, or not... The most important thing to remember is that there is no set formula that will always work... the more repertoire and flexibility you have, the better the options!
What a talented player!!!! 👋
Thank you for enjoying the music.
In 2017 our accordion club - consisting mostly of novice players- began an Oktoberfest tradition: A waltz medley based on Du, du, liegst mir ihm herzen that floated through "songs you didn't know were German." I'm going to share your insight that people singing, swaying, and enjoying a beverage need a consistent tempo to avoid sloshing their beverage on a neighbor! THANKS!
Good stuff! Hope to hear your accordion club medley!
Cool video, my Lutheran Church used to have Oktoberfest, fun times.
GOod stuff!
Alex,
This video is invaluable! I have been playing it on half speed to try and learn all beautiful embellishments you add when you’re playing. The best way to learn is by mimicking those who inspire you, and I have a lot of learning to do from you!
Thank you!!!
Glad it was helpful! That's the most important way to learn. You can't embellish if ya don't know what you want it to sound like. Get the vocabulary by emulating others and your own style develops from there!
Great tutorial... even for those who have played a few Oktoberfest gigs. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful! Polka on my friend!
Thanks Alex, Excellent video. As usual, you advice and performances were awesome. When I played in the Allentown Hungarian/Austrian clubs many years ago, we often would mix the polka/waltz routine by throwing in a Landler or even a Schuhplattler. It always seemed to generate increased audience participation (dance, yodeling, etc.) . The Landler intro chords always got the audiences attention!
Love your videos, and have been dusting off my accordion after many years.
Good stuff all around-- glad you're dusting off that accordion too!
QUESS WHAT ALEX. I AM SO EXCITED I WILL BE PLAYING ON CHANNEL 69 ON OCTOBER 2ND. AND SO GLAD I FOUND THIS WONDERFUL VIDEO OF SONGS TO PLAY. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE PLAYED THEM FOR MANY OCTOBERFEST GATHERINGS ITS GOOD FOR ME TO HEAR WHAT YOU DO. IT WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR ME TO PICK THE RIGHT SONGS 🎵 IN ONLY ABOUT 10 OR 15 MINUTES. HELP!!!!FROM TERRIE IN BETHLEHEM WHO ADORES YOU AND YOUR MAGN8FICENT SMILE AND GREAT ACCORDIONIST. 👍 👌 😀 😄 😊 😁 NOONE CAN COMPARE TO YOU. I LOVE THE WAY YOU SPEAK AND EXPLAIN EVERYTHING SOOOOO CLEARLY. LOL FROM TERRIE IN BETHLEHEM. TILL WE MEET AGAIN GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU WELL. 🙏 ❤️ ✨️ ♥️
pure love....
Wonderful. Thank you. Love the flying fingers on the kitchen sink song. It is great.
Glad you like it! Thanks!
Seen yall in Helen Ga. On Tuesday for Octoberfest...what an awesome time and you totally had the crowd in your palm of the hand..thank you so much for rocking out on my date night..we had the most excellent of stellar times..blessings
Thank you for enjoying the show!!
I was there too...they were great.....I actually shouted out "Alex mother****in" meixner" which got me in a little trouble with venue security
I live about a 50 minute drive from Helen. Hit up Helen a couple times a year , making sure one of those trips is during Oktoberfest. Unfortunately missed this sick ass dude but it's cool to hear other people hitting up Helen and digging on Oktoberfest music and whatnot
I don’t live far from there either
Amazing video! Love it.
Thanks so much!
Great lesson! I play a lot of Oktoberfests but I can always improve. I struggle most with connecting with the audience and adding all those special ornaments to give the performance an extra pop!
We all can always be improving! Every performance I have makes me realize how many things I can improve in the technical playing of the instrument, increasing repertoire, finding the right tempos and volumes for the audience, connecting the right repertoire/ announcing, working with the presenters... there's tons to critique at all times. At the same time- do your best, keep searching for new methods and most importantly have fun! The last step is the most important, because it's most difficult to connect and entertain with an audience if you're not right there with them. Best of luck with your performances and hope to hear ya sometime!
This is great! I see you have a shout out to Dallas. Playing by ear isn't quite the struggle it was for me just a short time ago and I'm really enjoying that. Thanks for this video and the additional links.
You're making it happen Ann!
THANK YOU!!!!!!!! VERY INFORMATIVE !!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE TERRIFIC !!!!!! LOVED LAST TUNE YOU COMPOSSED!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you kindly!
Wow! You are fabulous!!💙👍
Thanks for enjoying the music...
who draws your little cartoony Alex? so coot!
Len Peralta. A wonderful artist from Cleveland.
Good to be able to learn by ear, also. Great list and advice!
Definitely good to learn by ear! Thanks!
Oh, my gosh! Accordion rep - the constant struggle no one tells you about! lol I appreciate the heck out of you making videos like this! In my experience so far, there are three categories of accordion tunes available to learn: 1 - played to death. 2 - non-existent arrangement (a LOT of Ukrainian music falls into this category, unfortunately) or 3 - Impossible Joey Miskulin-style arrangement! If you want anything remotely obscure and intermediate, you need to find a long-out-of-print score, or figure it out on your own - which is certainly rewarding, but it is a time consuming endeavor, depending on the what the piece is.
Yes there are plenty of struggles with accordion rep- though each instrument/ musical style has it's challenges! I am enjoying teaching these days to break down those barriers and find paths for each student to reach goals...
Outstanding!
Thanks!
CAN U MAKE A VIDEO OF JUST PLAYING THE KITCHEN SINK POLKA SO I CAN GET TO IT QUICK AND WATCH YOU PLAY IT. U HAVE MANY ACCORDIONS. HOW DO U DECIDE WHICH ONE TO USE. DOES IT DEPEND ON SONG UR PLAYING OR WHERE UR PERFORMING AND AUDIENCE. HOW U REMEMBER THE THOUSANDS OF SONGS YOU PLAY AND SING IS MINDBOGGLING AND INCREDIBLY MASTERFUL. WANDERBAR !!!!!!!AWESOME MEMORY AND GREAT SHOWMANSHIP!!!!!!
What type of accordion do you have? I’m looking for one like yours
I'm learning chromatic button accordion and wondering how hard it is to play polkas.
I don't play Chromatic Button Accordion, but many musicians play polkas on them. The musical aspects are all the same as on the Piano Accordion-- it's just different techniques.
@@alexmeixner Do you recommend any specific books for polka arrangements?
Alex, Where did you say you get your Liederhosen again? I am playing an Octoberfest, This weekend at a German Restaurant in New Jersey, and one in Two weeks in New York.
Get in touch with Ernst Licht!
ernstlicht.com
@@alexmeixner Thanks Alex!
Thank you Alex, Im learning the accordion and would love to learn those bass walks, they make the songs beautiful. Is there any material you know to learn these in relation to rithms?
A lot of these I perform and teach in conjunction with music theory lessons-- arpeggios, scalar runs in similar and contrary motion that come together in steps... starting with simple repertoire and building up.
Where can I purchase this accordion?
I still have this instrument... drop me a line at alex@alexmeixner.com
What is the name of that accordion you are playing?
It is a beltuna tyrolean iv
How many Accordeons does The Mixner have?????
A bunch! Ironically I recently sold this accordion to one of my students though.