Playing the Accordion for Fun and Fame!; Squeezing Money Out of Your Accordion: How to be a Professional, Money-Making Musician

Thanks to Weird Al Yankovic, Drew Carey, and Norteño music (not to mention Octoberfest), the accordion is here to stay. While a good accordion instruction video would be a welcome addition to most collections (after all, the instrument has more buttons and keys than a rocket ship!), this 2-volume set of videotaped workshops is a little short on the nuts and bolts of playing, and instead unevenly mixes bits of music business advice and performances of such chestnuts as "Beer Barrel Polka" and "Misty" by host/accordionist Jane Christison. While the advice is often good (Christison espouses the benefits of joining the Musicians Union, offers tips on dealing with booking agents, and underscores the importance of appropriate dress), and Christison is an accomplished player, these two programs are optional purchases for larger music collections. Aud: P. (C. Block)