And the plan is ...

To avoid Accordion ADD, my plan for this term is:

A select -- very select -- playlist. 

I know, I've tried this before. Working together, Tiina and I have chosen a small number of pieces to work on during a term. The idea being, I won't be distracted by each shiny new thing that comes my way. At the end of semester, I will have at least five or so new pieces that I can play pretty well.

In the past, I have always found ways to thwart this plan. 

This is the fault of the internet, providing such easy availability of information that we feel every whim can be gratified, each interest pursued. In fact time is limited and this constant diversion, the incessant lateral movement, only results in a feeling of rising panic at not being able to encompass it all.

Anyway, it was through this mindless clicking and browsing that I came across this Globe and Mail article about a new set of DVDs: Diana Rigg at the BBC.

I adore Diana Rigg and like to consider her my namesake, though this is in no way true. It got me thinking about The Avengers, which led to Youtube, and then this idea: How about learning to play the Avengers theme on accordion? I think it could really work. That thrumming base line, that quintessentially 60s melody ... This led to the library website and many, many holds placed.

I also adore Patrick MacNee, he of the bowler hat and wry smile. It turns out he has written several books. And Honor Blackman, Diana Rigg's predecessor on the show, what was she like? It would be necessary to watch the early Avengers episodes to find out. 

More holds.

Subsequent idle clicking brought the thrilling news from Accordion Noir radio that the music for their wonderful theme by Andy Fielding is available on their blog. (It's actually old news, but new to me.) It is the perfect wonky little accordion waltz. An audio ink is thoughtfully provided as well, to avoid misunderstandings.

I don't remember how I wandered over to it, but there is a nice series of Youtube tutorials on how to play Nino Rota's Godfather waltz. Made for the accordion! Add it to the list. There's also a tutorial for Amelie -- I might finally learn how to play the middle part.

Finally, I went on a little spree at Indigo and ordered a Mel Bay book called French Music for Accordion by Larry Hallar. I'm starting with Back to Bach by Andy Pate and Jacky Noguez. This was chosen according to my usual stringent criteria: a virtual absence of sharps or flats, and nothing very demanding in the way of chords either.

Besides the requisite bal-musette waltzes, there are some accordion polkas, a couple of paso dobles and an accordion samba.

So far it hasn't disappointed.

Et voila! My fall lineup.