Yikes!
One of my band mates just got a super deal on an apparently brand new Hohner button accordion.
I’m happy for him, but I’m also quite concerned.
LOUD!
With a band with whistles and flutes often as primary melody instruments, I’m somewhat frightened that this thing will drown us all.
Any suggestions?
A bit more info on the Hohner would be helpful - # of voices, which model, etc. Depending on the number of flutes and whistles, it may blend in fine. Think of it from the audience perspective rather than the person in your band sitting next to him.
Teri
Not an expert opinion, but I would say to talk to your sound man. He can probably move you around and tweak the board settings in such a way that the accordion won’t ruin the mix.
Thanks to both of you so far.
The moving us around might be the only way to go.
Thinking of it from the audience perspective actually does little good when it overrides my flute playing to the point that I cannot hear my own playing and, therefore, ruins my ability to play with good embouchure.
The moving around would also be tough, though:
we usually play in venues where the five or six of us are already in tight. His normal position, being the largest member of the group (not specifically fat, just a really big guy), is center of the back of two rows of us - he’s the shortest distance possible to all of us!
The obvious solution will be for you to remain in your usual places, but switch instruments.
Best wishes,
Jerry
As a member of the band in question, I like Jerry’s suggestion.
Cheers.
Byll
Tie a big pillow to the accordian.
Jayzuz, what is he playing? If his box is that overpowering (3, 4 voice?), then you may have to tell him as gently as you can that he needs to look into purchasing a more “polite” box. If he doesn’t have the ability to use stops on the box, then IMHO it isn’t such a great deal for playing with others.
Is he a good friend? 
Make him buy a concertina.
One third the size, and three times the price! 
Having just bought a lovely vintage Crabb concertina as an upgrade for the offspring I can only confirm that
But… they are so much nicer
Concertina! YES! That would be a million times better. Alas, . . .
Unless Jerry’s suggestion is a joke, I don’t understand it at all.
Have the guy who can play accordion play flute (but he can’t) and have the flute player play accordion (but he can’t)?
Please 's’plain.
I think you may be correct 
Since upgrading to the Connemara III, I find myself playing in 1 voice more than 2 or 3. Possibly a latent conshertina player?
Maybe you can get the sound man to feed the mix back to you on a headset or an in-ear monitor while you play.
Now you tell me. Oh, well. It seemed like a good idea at the time. You said you didn’t want to move him. I suppose being able to play the instrument would be important, too.
Best wishes,
Jerry
How do you do that with a straight face?
It seems to come naturally. I do it all the time with the children.
Customary response: “MOMMY!!!”
Best wishes,
Jerry
I’m not alone then. My son’s customary response: Um… dad… blank stare
Why are our children so blessed? My son is already expressing symptoms of odd humor himself at 15, poor guy. It’s an environmental contagion, not hereditary, because he’s adopted. So you’re not safe Jerry.
Some day your kids will “bless” you right back.
The pillow idea was actually close…
Have him take off the front cover (grill) and attach some kind of cloth or foam to the inside. This might make it a bit quieter and will probably mellow it out some too.
Alternatevly, he could put tape over one set of reeds (the air holes, not the reeds themselves) and it will sound more concertina like.
-Brett
Now THAT sounds helpful.
Thank you, Brett!