Accordion has been played and taught in Germany for a long time. In recent years it has been used increasingly in music genres which no longer fit the typical folk music clichés of the instrument: The Yiddish klezmer music conquered Europe by storm, Tango and Musette experienced a revival, many rock bands initiate the sentimental sound of the accordion. This book is both suited for playing the named musical genres and also the first volume of the successful accordion school by Peter Michael Haas. Peter Michael Haas, pianist and keyboardist in various Rock, Fusion and Jazz bands, discovered his love for the accordion and Tango (among others) with a little help by the music of Astor Piazzolla. Since then, he has been on an international concert tour (among many others) with the singer Karsten Troyke and the duo-ensemble "Váci utca", has co-founded the "Trio Milonga" and the ensemble "New Tango Berlin" and has played in the ensemble of the actress and singer Meret Becker. The first volume of "Play Accordion Vol.1" is divided into four chapters, containing many exercises that can also be found on the accompanying CD (incl. Play-along-tracks). In Chapter 1, the bases of learning the accordion will be presented (holding the instrument, sound registers and more) and the different playing techniques (legato, staccato, dynamics) can be practiced in simple first pieces in C major. From Chapter 2 to Chapter 4, more and more keys are added, so that the student can play pieces in major and minor keys when finishing this book. Find out more about the instrument (sound registers, the inner life and the history of the accordion) and musical forms (Yiddish songs, Argentine tango, Chansons, Musette) with page references to the respective pieces in each chapter, which complete the extensive learning matter of this first volume and allow each student either with a teacher or through self-study to learn the accordion. When writing this book, I had two goals: first, to devise an interesting world music book and second, to construct a systematic accordion method book suitable to be used with or without a teacher, a method which would enable a step-by-step development towards a wholistic sense of musicianship. Many enthusiastic letters - and many sold books later - have let me know that this concept is successful. For the new edition I have changed one thing in particular: the fingerings for the left hand have been altered to conform with current pedagogical standards. Two practice pieces have also been added. Other than that, everything has been left as it was. The AMA publishers and I are always interested in feedback from readers. In fact, the number of letters posted to my website is quite astonishing … go have a look! But first and foremost: welcome to the club of accordionists - I wish you much fun and success! --Peter M. Haas Position of the right hand Stout beer: Melody from Ireland New positions and bass buttons New positions and bass buttons - the B and E rows Fingering - silent change From A minor to F minor and back Transposing a melody A waltz for inspector Maigret - now in C minor Some words about improvising and chords Improv No. 1 Improv No. 2 Improv No. 3 A theme and an ''accordion solo'' Constructing triad chords on your own Chapter 3 Notes for the left hand The notes in the bass clef and their importance in playing the accordion A small reading exercise - the very first waltz The eighth rest Tango fever in A minor A little klezmer melody The alternate bass - more variety with a new bass technique Alternate bass fingering for major chords Circus march with alternate bass Miniature Csárdás Alternate bass fingering for seventh chords When sailors sway to and fro - with alternate bass Alternate bass fingering for minor chords Montmartre Exercise in fingering 4-note chords Things worth knowing about Yiddish songs and klezmer music Shalom Aleichem Bigger leaps for the left hand Night show '29 The 6/8 bar Playing two notes at once Amore mio … on the beach of the Grand Canal Exercise for the left hand A sentimental ballad floats over the courtyard Notation for dynamics New positions for the right hand Two melodies together in one staff Lydie Accompaniment for ''Yolanda's Peasant Dance'' Hand positions for ''Yolanda's Peasant Dance'' Yolanda's Peasant Dance Changing positions in the right hand Musette waltz in C major D'accord! Things worth knowing about chanson and musette Melodies for the bass Chant Fingering exercises Day by day blues The counter basses Counter basses and major chords Someone fell into the well Stepping up and down the scale A ball in old Berlin Caribbean joke Rock the boogie!!! Triplets Tic Tac Three Mango Tango More about chords: 1. An extension of ''D'accord!'' 2. Accompanying with chords for ''D'accord!'' 3. Triads and their inversions 4. Getting to know the hand positions for the inversions The seventh chord in the right hand