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Updated in [October 16th, 2023]

What does this course tell?
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Acquiring the skills needed to master the button accordion takes time, practise and instruction by an experienced tutor. This free online accordion course is designed to help the slightly more advanced beginner develop those skills and techniques that give authentic Irish accordion playing its unique sound. It is ideally suited to students who have completed our basic Beginner 1 and Beginner 2 courses and want to progress, or to any beginner who can play the D and C scales and knows their way around the higher octave. In this course, you will be introduced to some of the techniques that give Irish folk music its distinctive colour. Accordion expert Conor Connolly passes on some of those expert skills that he has learnt through Irish music’s oral tradition, where tunes are passed from person to person, down through the generations. This course builds on the learner’s basic skills and imparts more while teaching them some new tunes.
As the accordion is strongly associated with Irish dancing, whether at fleadhs, ceilis or set dances, it’s fitting that the lessons begin with 'Joe Bane’s Barndance'. Conor breaks the tune down into segments so that the learner can remember each part more easily. While there are accompanying notes for each tune in the resources section of the course, it’s usual for the music to be played by ear. This is particularly useful when it comes to adding ornamentation or the extra notes that 'colour' traditional Irish music. In this course, Conor will show you how to introduce ornaments like 'cuts' into your playing by devoting lessons to ornamenting both parts of every tune. 'Young Tom Ennis' is the second tune taught on this course and again, Conor will show you how to play each part of this well-known jig, then teach you how to add ornamentation to that part, to give your playing an authentic Irish flavour. The final series of lessons in this course covers the reel, 'Donald Blue', which is popular at seisiúns [sessions]. For any player, learning their first reel is a milestone moment and Conor suggests places to add ornamentation as he teaches this final tune over the course of two lessons.
If you are relatively new to the Irish button accordion and want to broaden your repertoire and learn how to recreate authentic traditional Irish sounds, this free online accordion course provides the perfect training. Our tutor, Conor Connolly comes from south Galway, dubbed the 'Accordion Capital of Ireland' and counts great players from that area such as Joe Cooley among his musical heroes. Conor has been playing and performing the button accordion for years and in 2019 he was named the Traditional Irish Young Musician of the Year. Through our three button accordion courses, for Beginner 1, Beginner 2 and this Intermediate course, Conor imparts to learners the knowledge, skills and techniques that are fundamental to developing as an accordion player. You can also gain certification by passing the end-of-course assessment. Begin the course and learn those techniques, rhythms and tunes that will take your accordion-playing to the next, toe-tapping level.


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 the Traditional Irish Button Accordion Intermediate course, learners will acquire the following skills and knowledge:
1. Techniques for authentic Irish accordion playing: The course focuses on teaching the techniques that give Irish folk music its distinctive sound. Learners will develop skills such as ornamentation, cuts, and adding extra notes to color traditional Irish music.
2. Learning new tunes: Learners will be introduced to new tunes, including "Joe Bane's Barndance," "Young Tom Ennis," and "Donald Blue." These tunes are broken down into segments, making it easier for learners to remember and play each part.
3. Ornamentation: Conor Connolly, an experienced accordion expert, will teach learners how to add ornamentation to each part of the tunes taught in the course. Ornamentation is an essential aspect of traditional Irish music and adds an authentic Irish flavor to the playing.
4. Playing by ear: While there are accompanying notes for each tune in the course's resources section, the emphasis is on playing by ear. Learners will develop their ability to listen and play tunes without relying solely on sheet music.
5. Broadening repertoire: The course aims to broaden learners' repertoire by introducing new tunes and teaching them how to recreate authentic traditional Irish sounds. Learners will gain a deeper understanding of Irish button accordion music and expand their musical repertoire.
6. Certification: Learners have the opportunity to gain certification by passing the end-of-course assessment. This certification validates their knowledge and skills acquired during the course.
Who will benefit from this course?
This course is beneficial for individuals who have already completed the basic Beginner 1 and Beginner 2 courses and want to progress in their accordion playing skills. It is also suitable for beginners who can already play the D and C scales and are familiar with the higher octave.
Specifically, this course is ideal for those who are interested in mastering the button accordion and acquiring the skills and techniques that give authentic Irish accordion playing its unique sound. It is particularly suited for individuals who are interested in Irish folk music and want to learn the techniques that give it its distinctive color.
This course is also beneficial for individuals who are interested in Irish dancing, as the accordion is strongly associated with Irish dancing at fleadhs, ceilis, and set dances. The course begins with teaching the tune 'Joe Bane's Barndance', breaking it down into segments to make it easier to learn.
Furthermore, this course is suitable for individuals who want to learn how to add ornamentation and extra notes to their playing, which are characteristic of traditional Irish music. The instructor, Conor Connolly, teaches learners how to introduce ornaments like 'cuts' into their playing and provides lessons on ornamenting both parts of every tune.
Lastly, this course is beneficial for individuals who want to broaden their repertoire and learn how to recreate authentic traditional Irish sounds on the accordion. The instructor, Conor Connolly, comes from south Galway, known as the 'Accordion Capital of Ireland', and has been playing and performing the button accordion for years. He imparts his knowledge, skills, and techniques to learners, helping them develop as accordion players.

Course Syllabus

Ornamenting Button Accordion Music

Course assessment