Erik's Music Database - Bulgarian Accordion Tutorial - 2014 Version
This document is a tutorial for playing Bulgarian dance melodies
on the accordion. It is a work in progress.
UPDATE: As of late March, 2014, I've embarking on a major
update to this tutorial. It will probably take about a month to
accomplish this update which will (I hope) finalize a number of
ideas about technique and fingering. The presentation of
those ideas will probably evolve over a longer period. The basic idea of this
upgrade is to loosen some restrictions on 343 pralls in order that the
hand may remain more stable.
Contents:
- Introduction: scope, approach,
aims, motivation.
- Background: what is
"Bulgarian" music? Bulgarian instruments and musical
history.
- Definitions:
ornamental, anatomical and instrumental terminology and symbols used here.
- Setting a tune:
converting the "general idea" of a tune into a specific arrangement.
- Technique & Fingering: body, arm, hand
and finger mechanics plus fingering.
- Harmony:
a brief description of Bulgarian harmony.
- Bass Side Accompaniment:
how to play bass side accompaniment for a Bulgarian melody.
- Technical drills: drills for mastery of the techniques
of this tutorial
- Complete scores: including fingering,
performance notes and pointers to source recordings
- References: for further reading.
Copyright 2011 Erik Butterworth. All rights reserved.