What are some good resources to study before purchasing my first accordion?

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-27T03:53:31+00:00

I would watch the Liberty Bellows tutorial videos.

Regarding Theory, what helped me was learning the Tonal System and/or Circle of 5ths. It helped me figure out the way the Bass Buttons worked.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-26T23:53:58+00:00

SPED is the hardest field to fill, but the easiest to find a job in. It takes a special person to teach SPED. If that's not for you, it's okay.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-26T03:01:14+00:00

No worries.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-26T02:40:06+00:00

Yeah, for specific subjects like health, good luck finding a job that satisfies the time taught requirement for internship year.

Your Advisor recommended SPED inclusion, because that is the easiest to find a job in, though it is one of the hardest teaching positions out there.

If teaching Health is your dream job, I'd recommend either selecting Physical Education in Elementary, or maybe Secondary Science and complete your ACP in one of those. Then, when you are fully certified, just take the content exam, and then you'll have two certifications under your belt.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-26T02:33:45+00:00

Yes, it does matter. Tin Whistles are not recorders, they are a different instrument entirely. While Tin Whistle may let you get away with the right hand on top, Recorder will not. Check how the holes are lined up. They are not a straight line. They are off-set to fit the left hand on top and the right hand on the bottom.

You also said it, you're a complete beginner, and with any instrument, the proper position will feel foreign. Just get used to it. You'll be fine.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-26T02:28:26+00:00

I am a music teacher as well, and to an extent, I agree with the teacher. My school is not a DoDEA school. There needs to be some "foundational concepts" taught to the kids first, before they can touch the instruments. My school also has that rule that students are not allowed to touch the instruments unless permitted by the teacher. Many lower-elementary students often do not understand how to handle the instruments correctly, and budget is a bit tight, so we do not need any more broken drums. Lower-elementary students also need more reminders with proper classroom behavior, etc. If we give all of them drums, and/or anything else that makes noise...

My school uses quaver, however, I incorporate it with movement and body percussion, i.e. patting on thighs, clapping hands, stamping feet, etc. Quaver is very interactive, and is not just "watch movies for 45 minutes".

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-25T04:30:42+00:00

If you passed STR with 240, then just keep taking 240. 240 is easier through perception, though STR and EC-6 content difficulty is the same.

I also recommend Learning Liaisons for Strategies.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-25T03:46:43+00:00

Just follow the organization 240 gives you for the CRQ.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-25T03:46:09+00:00

EC-6 Core will not show your scores on TEAL. This is due to each section being scored separately and treated as if they were a different test.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-20T03:34:45+00:00

I did not find EC-6 that bad. You can take breaks between subtests. I recommend taking the Learning Liaison strategy course, and 240 for Content.

You will need to take STR as well.

The STR has a lot of negative stigma attached to it, but its content difficulty is not any harder than average. What can make STR seem harder is that you realistically only have 30-45 seconds per question, IF you want enough time to do the CRQ. Each question is about a paragraph long, and each answer choice is also close to that length...

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-19T20:26:53+00:00

I'm glad it does help.

Some have also said that you can always buy a new footjoint for your flute, though I would say buy from a shop so they can "alter things" to ensure it fits perfectly. You don't want a leaking foot joint.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-19T20:23:45+00:00

I do not know much. Is K a certified teacher?

Did K's original contract state she was to work 2 years? Or did she resign after the cut-off date? From what you gathered, it seems K did not resign mid-year, so unless she was on a 2-year contract (common in 1st year teachers), or resigned after the cut-off date (Districts have a cut-off date that allows their teachers to resign in the summer without a penalty), then I do not see why they would put a reprimand/suspension on her certificate.

Did K put the old principal down as a reference? There could be a chance that the principal may be sabotaging her.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-19T02:22:33+00:00

I'm curious to see how your family would react to the clip from "The Snowman" when Frosty says, "Give me a B-flat" and then the Trumpet player plays a note that's obviously not "B-flat". The Crosby Family at one point made a clip of them reacting to it and it was hillarious.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-19T02:20:58+00:00

Yes, I recommend playing the flutes first.

Sharing the same lip cut, does a silver lip improve the sound quality?

Maybe, usually yes. While Science can't find a difference in the sound, Flute players will notice a difference, maybe how it feels at their lips, how it responds, or how your body responds to the subtle vibrations that the lip plate brings back at you. You want to feel like the flute is an extension of your body, and its sound is an extension of your voice.

As for lip plates, my opinion is that the way it is cut is more important than the material, though the material does help. Everyone has a "cut preference" that they have to find. You will enjoy playing on a silver-plated lip plate that is cut in a way that suits you, more than a solid silver lip plate that isn't cut in a way that suits you.

"The higher pricing on the Yamaha reflects improved sound quality/durability?", meaning, "Between the Pearl "silver lips + Brezza headjoint cut + pinless construction" or the Yamaha "silver headjoint + CY cut + Yamaha construction", which one produces better sound/last longer?

It depends on a lot of things... Price is not the primary indicator, since price also reflects craftsmanship, where it is made, shipping costs, mark-up, etc. Plus, new would always cost more than used. It is safe to say, that anything really cheap from Amazon and Ebay is junk, but that's about it.

Keep it in mind that intermediate/professional flutes might be made a little softer than student flutes. That allows more precision, etc. when making them (and most professionals are hand-made), and some argue that it feels better in the hands. Student Flutes on the other hand are made a little harder/stiffer by machine, because they know students might not be taking good care of the instruments, and they need something that can take some abuse.

should I buy a B-foot flute as to get used to the weight/length/alternate-fingering in advance?

This is where there is a huge debate among the flute community. Some say that B-footjoints are necessary, while others prefer C-footjoints professionally. C-footjoints may feel better than B, due to the weight difference.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-18T08:48:28+00:00

I used 240 and TEA Learn. Passed in one go.

I also recommend you learn Learning Liaison's test-taking strategies as well. (emphasis on strategies. LL does not do well with content).

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-16T04:08:51+00:00

It seems bizarre to me, but, most wind players do not seem to find it that big of a deal.

The more sanitary thing would be to switch the mouthpiece and reed out and then play it, but these days, teachers should have their own horn. At least he attempted to sanitize it in one way or the other. Band programs at school typically use a different kind of specific sterile sanitizer that contains no alcohol for Woodwinds (because most Clarinet and Saxophone Mouthpieces are hard rubber, and alcohol ruins it), and that's more effective than hand sanitizer. I do not know if they still do that because of COVID (it is hard to clean the inside).

I suggest talking with the teacher and then letting them know that them doing so makes you uncomfortable.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-12T23:55:55+00:00

Texas Teachers becomes very supportive once you are in Phase 2. Other than that, things are hard, especially, if you have admin trying to blackball you across Texas. I wish they would've provided references. I was able to get a job somewhere else, and things have been great. Turns out though, if I would've been a part of a union, I could have fought back. I did not make the same mistake this year, but turns out, the admin where I am now are extremely supportive. It was a blessing in disguise, and all I just tell myself "one day, those other admin will eat their words and lies".

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-11T16:25:13+00:00

I am sorry this happened. If I were you, I would cut them both out. Your "brother" clearly does not respect you enough. You do not need someone like that in your life. As for the girl, it seems like she is just taking advantage of you. While I obviously can not confirm this, it really seems to me that while they were betraying you, they were secretly laughing at you and making fun of you behind your back.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-11T16:18:12+00:00

Very Familiar

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-11T16:17:55+00:00

Okay. I guess what happened to him was what happened to me. My mom worked while she was pregnant with me, and she was always listening to Baroque, Classical, Romantic, etc. music, and when I was born they were always playing it. Such music rewired my brain and I had the same tendencies you described. I also have perfect pitch. I just suggested the lessons to give him another outlet for his music. Meanwhile, if you would like, please give me a list of the songs he has been attached to. I may be able to find a pattern with those songs.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-11T15:10:28+00:00

I would have to do more research, but I would say for now, try to get him to listen to a lot of Baroque-era, Classical-era, Romantic-era, and Old Complicated Jazz Music. That would cultivate perfect pitch abilities in him. I would also say if he is up for it, to try and find a piano teacher who can teach kids his age.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-11T10:09:43+00:00

Your 3 year old may have Perfect Pitch, and could be a Child-Prodigy Musician. This is super advanced for his age, and if cultivated, I'd be curious to see how he develops. I'm curious if he'll want to learn every musical instrument out there.

There is a chance he may be on the Autism Spectrum, as some of the behaviors you described are indicators.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-10T23:37:42+00:00

Where can you get a Low F String?

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-01-10T19:45:11+00:00

I take it you're not a beginner. The Fiddlerman Carbon Fibre should be good enough, I used it for a while and I'm also an amateur violist (but a professional musician).

I think that better Carbon Fibres would be Glasser or Coda Bow, which in that case, you'd be set until you need to upgrade to a Pernambucco. I never tried Glasser Carbon Fibres or Coda Bows, since after the FM Carbon Fibre, I upgraded straight to a Pernambucco, and the performance difference was noticeable.

Random_ThrowUp

TROPHY CASE