Livestream | 5 Ways to Be Creative on Your Accordion

Hi, I’m Dallas Vietty, accordion performer and educator based in Pennsylvania, USA. I teach online at RisingReed.com, where I help musicians of all levels grow their creativity, expression, and improvisation on the accordion. This week, I’m feeling a little more relaxed — not in the mood for a big research project or technical deep dive. Instead, I want to spend this session exploring simple ways to be creative through sound and feel. We’ll also take time to listen to some beautiful music for inspiration.

In this livestream, we’ll look at five easy ways to unlock creativity on your accordion, starting from gentle expressive experiments and moving toward open, imaginative creation. These ideas don’t require special preparation — they’re simple invitations to explore the space between the notes.

Easiest:

1. 🎵 Play with Rubato — stretch, breathe, and move the tempo naturally.

2. 🔁 Repeat Stuff — take a small idea and echo it, vary it, or reframe it.

3. ✋ Hold on to Stuff — let notes, chords, or feelings linger longer than usual.

More Challenging:

4. ❓ Ask Yourself: What’s Missing? — use curiosity to guide your next phrase; listen to the silence.

5. 🌌 Create from Nothing — begin with no plan, and let the music emerge from the moment.

Each of these approaches helps you build confidence in your own musical decisions — learning to trust what you hear and respond with imagination instead of fear or overthinking. They’re tools that can make even a simple melody feel expressive, fresh, and alive.

We’ll also pause throughout to listen to a few beautiful pieces of music that remind us how creativity can grow from restraint, patience, and playfulness. Listening is part of the practice — it tunes the ear and fuels imagination.

This livestream is for anyone who wants to feel freer and more expressive when they play. Whether you’re beginning your musical journey or refining your artistry, these five easy ways will help you reconnect with your creative voice and rediscover the joy of making music on your accordion.