Young Trad Finalist: Andrew Waite

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Andrew Waite

Watch accordion player Andrew Waite perform at the Young Trad Musician of the Year final 2011.

Age: 18

Hails from: Duns

Instrument: Accordion

Q&A

What do you love and what do you hate about your instrument?

I love that the accordion is so versatile and there are no limits to what can be played on it. I also love that it is melody and accompaniment. Even though accordions are the second most hated instruments (after banjo), I know everyone secretly wishes they played it! I don't like that the accordion is the butt of so many jokes!

What keeps you in practising while you could be out having a laugh?

I try not to let it stop me going out, but I find myself getting stressed if I don't play at least once a day. It is not an effort to make myself practice as I enjoy it so much and there is always another tune to learn.

Has anyone in particular inspired you as a musician?

My accordion teacher Iain Lowthian has inspired me as his style branches out from the typical Scottish country dance band music that the accordion is associated with. Harris Playfair has inspired me as he is my music teacher at school and is one of my main sources of tunes and crazy musical ideas. I have also learned a lot from Kathryn Tickell and Iain Stevenson who were the tutors at the youth folk group I played with for a number of years.

What music do you listen to when you're not practising (not necessarily folk music!)

On the rare occasion that I am not listening to folk music I usually listen to bluegrass and country music such as Alison Krauss, Crooked Still, Chris Thile, Bryan Sutton, The Quebe Sisters, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, the list is endless. Folk musicians I listen to include Cara Dillon, Damien O’Kane, Beoga, Alan Kelly and Sharron Shannon

Is there a piece of music that you always like to play/sing and why?

I never have one favourite tune at any one time, there are usually five or six per day. A lot of my current favourites are in my set list for the finals along with a few that I have loved for years.