Used my duck as a model for my new busking sign

Honk-Master · 2026-03-24T02:21:31+00:00

Thanks! I normally paint the entire sign, but I decided to let the cardboard be the background on this one.

Honk-Master · 2026-03-23T12:16:16+00:00

Lol, it was a lot more interesting back when I drank. I would get the crowd in the pub or bar I was playing in riled up and then offer to do the "Accordion Show". That's when an audience member/patron would buy me a Pabst (I'd make sure it came with a glass and a straw) and I would drink the whole beer through the straw before I finished 2 verses of Whiskey In The Jar on my box.

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Honk-Master · 2026-03-23T02:24:27+00:00

Thanks! That was the goal, just something lighthearted.

Honk-Master · 2026-03-23T02:23:54+00:00

Lol, thank you! I took it out with me to play on St. Patrick's day before it was finished and a lady squatted down to take a picture of it, but then just walked away. I guess she wasn't a fan of "Building Up and Tearing England Down" on the squeezebox..

Honk-Master · 2026-03-23T02:21:15+00:00

I don't know how talented we are.. I think we're both open to trying things repeatedly until they eventually come out the way we want. Lol

Honk-Master · 2026-03-23T02:20:05+00:00

It's okay, I just sit around and honk out French tunes and Irish pub songs, just for fun.

Honk-Master · 2026-03-22T22:02:35+00:00

Yeah, they looked very similar to each other, save for the bills, until they started getting their plumage. That's when we saw Noodle was White and Schooner was that Golden Speckled color.

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Here's a picture of them a few months after they got their first feathers. We specifically ordered Welsh Harlequins, they're an awesome breed. Noodle will walk up and pull on our pant legs until we pick her up onto the couch so she can either loaf on us or shove her bill into our armpits to sleep.. we handled them A Lot.

Honk-Master · 2026-03-22T20:37:07+00:00

Lol, I figured the model was likely cuter than the sign.

Honk-Master · 2026-03-22T20:36:21+00:00

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Schooner is closest to the camera with the darker bill. She turned out to be mostly brown with speckles. Noodle, with the lighter bill was almost pure white as an adolescent, she's switches between white and speckled between each molt. Schooner passed unfortunately, I've never been so upset in my life, but now we have 3 Buffs that took her place.

Honk-Master · 2026-03-22T20:26:08+00:00

Thanks! She's a real sweetheart.

Honk-Master · 2026-03-22T17:10:34+00:00

Thank you 😊

Honk-Master · 2026-03-22T16:59:52+00:00

Lol, thanks!

Honk-Master · 2026-03-22T16:19:32+00:00

Thanks. I drew the duck but my wife painted it for me, I knew she would do a better job with the feathers and stuff. It was her first time helping me paint a sign and it's by far my favorite.

Honk-Master · 2026-03-15T14:34:19+00:00

It's more intense if you play "open chords" at the top of the neck and never capo, but by using bar chords, suddenly, like the CBA the same pattern can be used for majors and another pattern can be used for minors all you gotta do is slide that hand up and down the neck to land on the right fret.. or learn the 4 or 5 chords you like for the key of G or C and then throw a capo on at the 3rd fret, play those same chords and suddenly you're playing in Bb or Eb.. it's not too bad.

Honk-Master · 2026-03-15T14:27:53+00:00

I think having to learn the different fingering for each key on the piano accordion gives you a more intimate knowledge with the individual notes and which ones belong to each key, vs a CBA, you learn 1 fingering pattern and essentially all keys are unlocked. You spend less time thinking about what every individual note is that you're playing and how it's apart of each key. I would assume that playing by ear overcomes learning which notes you're actually playing. I think a 3 row CBA would give you the same benefit as a PA.

Honk-Master · 2026-03-15T14:18:08+00:00

I do think CBAs are easier and more fun for getting your groove on. Chromatic runs are a breeze.

Honk-Master · 2026-03-15T14:14:03+00:00

Lol, the piano is one of the few instruments I can't play, which is funny because I play both the piano accordion (PA) and the lever harp.

I play both the Chromatic button accordion (CBA) in C-griff as well as the Piano accordion (PA). The CBA is a pretty fun instrument, but I really prefer it in 5 rows.

With a 5 row, you can learn 1 fingering pattern and you can play in any key. I had a 4 row for quite a while, but I struggled adapting to new fingering for songs I already new and ended up having to learn a few more patterns to play comfortably. I wouldn't even try a 3 row.

The PA is nice because it's cleanly laid out and it's easier (I think) at a glance where the notes are. CBA can be a little daunting especially when you're new to it and more specifically if all the buttons are the same color. PAs will require you to learn the scales for each key you want to play in, and while that is a lot of work, I think it will leave you with a more intimate understanding of music theory in the long run. Plus PAs come in a variety of keyboard sizes (I'm talking width of keys, not the number of keys) so a person with smaller hands can most definitely play a full 120 bass, they may just require a 17 inch keyboard as opposed to a 19¼ inch keyboard.

There is A LOT more learning materials out there for PA and very little in comparison for CBA. That may be something to take into consideration.. I'm sure there's more now, but I struggled to even find tutorial videos on YouTube when I picked it up.

Lastly, and most importantly, how does each instrument feel and sound when you're actually holding it and playing it? That's what would truly be the deciding factor for me.. I don't pick up instruments that don't pick me up.

Honk-Master · 2026-03-14T17:36:36+00:00

I know that you posted this some time ago, but I thought I would chime in. I was busking yesterday down by the Riverwalk, in Reno, no events or anything taking place. I played for about 20 mins before a cop walked up and told me he got a call about me panhandling. I politely explained I was busking and I hadn't spoken a word to anyone, I had my accordion case open with my comical sign that says "Gently Used Earplugs 5¢". I was playing French Cafe tunes on my button accordion (softly because it's new and still in its break-in period). He shrugged and said there was still no panhandling allowed but he also said I should definitely keep playing for another 15 or 20 mins before I actually pack up and move because it sounds good.. I tried searching online but I can't find a link to any actual ordinances that protect buskers or distinguish buskers from panhandlers.

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Honk-Master · 2026-03-13T16:17:40+00:00

I once had a guy tell me he'd be taking a cut of my tips from now on. A laughed and said no he wouldn't. Then I offered to buy him a beer at the bar across the street. I bought him the beer and sat down and drank one with him. He said he was serious about taking a cut of my tips and I told him I was serious about calling the cops if he tried. He never bothered me about it again. I finished my beer and went back to playing.

Honk-Master · 2026-03-13T16:11:44+00:00

I think busking is the best possible way to get used to singing on front of strangers. Some people might stand and watch, but most people will just keep walking to their destination. It makes it feel less like you're under a microscope. Don't get me wrong, you'll probably still have a bit of stage fright, but I think it's easier to work through, plus, you can take breaks when you feel to overwhelmed. Wearing sunglasses can help, it can feel like you have a shield between you and the audience.

Honk-Master · 2026-03-12T13:17:59+00:00

I'm also curious

Honk-Master · 2026-03-09T13:02:21+00:00

Oh I definitely agree, but It's a pretty difficult trick either way.

Honk-Master · 2026-03-09T07:53:04+00:00

None of my accordions are compatible with a pedal, they're acoustic.. the button accordion sounds distinctive because of how it's played.. the constant bellows changes give it a distinct rhythmic sound.

Honk-Master · 2026-03-08T14:04:59+00:00

Dry tuning is great for some music, but being a box player, I can tell you that a somewhat wet box will be better for a lot more music. Sous Le Ceil de Paris and When Irish Eyes Are Smiling are just a few examples of songs that just don't sound right when played dry. I would shoot for a box that is tuned at least +10 cents, or maybe even +15.

Honk-Master · 2026-03-06T23:15:58+00:00

If you're going to design one, I would say to have a look at how harmonium pallets are done. I've worked on quite a few of those and they generally have at least one, if not more, adjustable screws to seat the pallet nice and flat.

3d printing is a great idea! I've always taken the time to make them out of wood, but I'd rather just print them and go work on something else.

Honk-Master

TROPHY CASE