Livestream | Bellows Shakes, I'm Not Good at it, But Let's Try...

Hi, I’m Dallas Vietty—accordion performer and educator based in Pennsylvania, USA. I’ve been teaching accordion online for over a decade, and I believe one of the best ways to grow as a musician is to dive into the stuff we’re not yet good at. That’s exactly what I’m doing in this livestream.

This episode is called “Bellows Shakes, I’m Not Good at It, But Let’s Try…” and it’s all about one of the flashiest—and trickiest—accordion techniques out there. The bellows shake is a dramatic effect that shows up across styles and eras, from the icy violin mimicry in Vivaldi’s Winter, to the raw energy of Brazilian forró, and the unmistakable drive of Cleveland-style polka.

It’s not an easy technique to master, and I’m right there in the learning process with you. In this session, I’ll break down the different types of bellows shakes, show you how I’m approaching them, and share exercises to build control, speed, and clarity. Whether you’ve dabbled in bellows shakes or never tried one in your life, this will be a space to explore, experiment, and maybe even laugh a bit at the process.

Come along for the ride, learn what makes this effect so powerful, and let’s get shaking—together.