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Jon Persson Accordion Classes for Chinese Seafarers – Pacific Oceanby Rob Howard |
Video above: Londonderry Air ("Danny Boy") by Jon Perssson with The MiniSymphony (Accordion/String Quintet). Beginner accordion classes were recently conducted for Chinese passengers on a 3,000-passenger ship in the fleet of the Princess Cruise Line, one of the largest cruise lines in the world. The classes were limited to 20 students, open to people aged 8-88, and were conducted by American pianist/accordionist, and long-time Princess Cruises musician Jon Persson (picture left). As the classes were only 30 minutes long, and held twice during each 5 day cruise, there was not a lot of time to delve deeply into accordion technique. The lessons focused on a very easy tune that was familiar in many countries, and to the Chinese people, ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’. Moreover, the accordions purchased by the cruise line were basically toy accordions, but were perfectly fine for this purpose. Persson is not a speaker of Mandarin, so it was necessary for the lessons to be translated by another member of the ships staff, which sometimes made the lessons move a bit more slowly than normal. Nevertheless, the sessions were light-hearted and enjoyed by all, and well-attended, so that the 20 accordions provided were snapped up quickly by the early arrivals. For further information email: jon@jonpersson.com |