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Updated in [October 16th, 2023]

What does this course tell?
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This free online Irish accordion course is designed to help the beginner develop the basic skills needed to play one of Traditional Irish music’s core instruments. While the accordion is popular in a number of countries’ cultural traditions and is often associated with romantic ballads, in Irish music, it is normally played with gusto. Like the piano, its percussive qualities are matched by strong melodic strains, making this a favourite accompaniment for Traditional Irish dancing at fleadhs, ceilis and set dances. The effortless joy of a well-played button accordion belies the technical know-how needed to master the instrument. First of all, you must memorise which button is associated with each note, then co-ordinate the movement of the bellows in or out. That in turn alters the note that is being played. And all that is without mentioning the different tuning systems! These mysteries and many more are patiently explained by your tutor, Conor Connolly. In this course, he covers the basics that any beginner accordion player needs to know, using the B/C tuning system, which is most commonly used in Irish music. Through a series of clear, concise lessons, Conor will introduce you to the techniques needed to play the accordion with confidence.
The course begins with instruction on holding the instrument correctly and becoming acquainted with the bellows and the notes. Before long, you will know your way around the accordion and be ready to master the scale of D, which is the building block for tunes in a number of keys. Conor breaks this down into segments and ensures that learners have a clear grasp of the fingering on the right hand as well as the bellows before moving on to teaching some popular Irish tunes. First up is a tune from the home of Irish polka dancing, ‘The Dingle Polka’, named after the west Kerry village. He teaches the tune, which offers opportunities to practise the D scale, in separate parts. The notes are provided in a downloadable PDF from the resource section of the course, however, Conor encourages learners to play by ear. Once that milestone first tune has been mastered, the accordion lessons proceed to another popular tune, ‘Tom McGowan’s Polka’. This is in the key of E minor and introduces learners to playing some notes in the higher octave. Again, Conor breaks the tune down into easy to manage segments.
If you enjoy Irish dancing tunes and would love to be able to play along on one of folk music's most distinctive instruments, this free online accordion guide provides the ideal starting point. You will be learning from a champion accordion player who hails from south Galway, dubbed ‘The Accordion Capital of Ireland’. The west coast is a major hub for Traditional Irish music and Conor Connolly is very much part of that, with his talent winning him the prestigious TG4 Gradam Ceoil Young Musician of the Year prize in 2019. Conor also teaches the other two courses in this series, Traditional Irish Accordion, Beginner 2, where you will progress to jigs and the C scale, and finally Traditional Irish Accordion, Intermediate, which includes a barn dance, a jig and a reel. Throughout the three courses, you will be learning tunes that are played across Ireland and beyond. By completing this course, you can not only learn those all-important techniques that are fundamental to becoming a competent button accordion player but you can also gain certification by passing the end-of-course assessment. It’s time to press those buttons!


We considered the value of this course from many aspects, and finally summarized it for you from two aspects: skills and knowledge, and the people who benefit from it:
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What skills and knowledge will you acquire during this course?
During this course, learners will acquire the following skills and knowledge:
1. Memorization of button-to-note associations: Learners will learn to memorize which button corresponds to each note on the accordion.
2. Bellows coordination: Learners will develop the ability to coordinate the movement of the bellows in and out, which affects the note being played.
3. Understanding different tuning systems: The course will explain the different tuning systems used in Irish music, providing learners with knowledge of these systems.
4. Holding the instrument correctly: Instruction will be provided on how to hold the accordion correctly, ensuring proper technique.
5. Familiarity with the bellows and notes: Learners will become acquainted with the bellows and notes of the accordion, gaining a solid foundation in the instrument.
6. Mastery of the D scale: Learners will master the D scale, which serves as the foundation for tunes in various keys.
7. Fingering techniques: The course will cover proper fingering techniques for the right hand, ensuring learners have a clear grasp of this aspect of playing the accordion.
8. Learning popular Irish tunes: Learners will be taught popular Irish tunes, such as "The Dingle Polka" and "Tom McGowan's Polka," allowing them to practice and apply their skills.
9. Playing by ear: While notes are provided in a downloadable PDF, learners will be encouraged to play by ear, developing their ability to listen and replicate tunes.
10. Certification: By completing the course and passing the end-of-course assessment, learners have the opportunity to gain certification, validating their skills as a button accordion player.
Who will benefit from this course?
This course will benefit beginners who are interested in learning how to play the traditional Irish button accordion. It is specifically designed to help beginners develop the basic skills needed to play this core instrument in Traditional Irish music. The course is suitable for individuals who have no prior experience with the accordion and want to learn from scratch.
Professionals or individuals with a specific interest in Traditional Irish music will find this course valuable. The accordion is a popular instrument in Irish music and is often used for accompaniment in Traditional Irish dancing at fleadhs, ceilis, and set dances. By learning to play the accordion, individuals can actively participate in and contribute to the vibrant Traditional Irish music scene.
Conor Connolly, the tutor for this course, is a champion accordion player from south Galway, which is known as the "Accordion Capital of Ireland." Learners will have the opportunity to learn from a highly skilled and accomplished musician who won the prestigious TG4 Gradam Ceoil Young Musician of the Year prize in 2019. This adds credibility and expertise to the course, making it particularly beneficial for those who want to learn from a renowned accordion player.

Course Syllabus

Easy Irish Button Accordion Tunes

Course assessment