Jay Lamsa

Hi Ken - good to hear from you! Five years, doesn't seem possible. I've got to work on the sing / talk thing. Hopefully that is just practice and not a coordination issue. Thanks for the suggestion on the jam - great idea! Where in Portsmouth? Hope to get to the NE Squeeze in this year as well, haven't been since 2004 I think, and it is a good time. Cheers! Jay

Just playing - I have not mastered the sing / play thing, a task I need to work on. I actually used to sing pretty well, ah well.

Excellent - I'll try to do this tonight (minus the choking ... ) - thanks for the help!

Good suggestions - after being used to a "regular" piano. the weighted keys seems like it might be useful. The electronic concertina - it seems almost oxymoronic in a physical way, geiven the nature of the sound generation. Very useful in those homes where our practicing upsets the pets!

Yes, I used to play out on our porch by the wharf all the time ... if you see us around, stop by. I didn't know there WERE any other players in Georgetown!

Folks - I've been sitting on my porch, minding my own business and quietly playing my English concertina. My neighbor heard me, and insists that I will play something at his big Labor Day party. Now, to put this in context, he always has a bunch of real musicians in the folk / country / trad line that are REALLY good. And there is always a pretty good crowd. I am middling on the concertina, probably an advanced beginner. Two questions: 1. Any suggestions on two or three good traditional tunes for the EC that I won't make a complete flub of ... 2. I have never (never) performed solo with a musical instrument. I have with a bunch of others, but not alone. Help! It is a really great party - so running away probably won't be an option ...

Having met some of you at concertina events, and having lurked on the forums, it is obvious to me that a good portion of the concertina folks have multiple instruments in their repertoire. So I thought I'd ask this here: anyone have thoughts on a decent electric keyboard? The requirements for me is that it have 4 or 5 octaves nd have a reasonably realistic feel to the keys. I'm a mid-level kinda player, comfortable on a regular piano. I'm primarily going to have this at a shared family second home; I gues it should allow me to listen with headphones and not disturb others with my practicing (although I don't really care if my concertina bothers them ....) Anyway, if you have had any experinece with a particular model or know something about keyboards, i'd appreciate taking advantage of your knowledge. Thanks! Jay

Quick question - my low G on my Lachenal has decided to work in only one direction. I took the side screwss out and just fiddled with the reed, but it did not imptove the situation. This is generally a simple problem, I think - what do I need to do? Thanks Jay

I've got a Geuns Baritone Concertina I would like to sell. This is a quality instrument I bought directly from Mr. Geuns about 3 or 4 years ago. It has accordion reeds, amboyna ends and a hard case. This instrument is in excellent condition, great sound and smooth fast action. Why am I selling? I purchased this instrument to play with a small group which no longer gets together, so I am focusing on my treble. I've attempted to add a couple pictures - hopefully they are attached and clear! Please contact me regarding price. I am located in North Central Massachusetts. Cheers! Jay

Thanks to everyone that inquired about this instrument. The concertina is now sold. Thanks Jay

After long thought on the subject, I've decided to sell my Morse Albion English concertina. As to the particulars: 37 buttons (G below middle C to D'') Cherry ends 6 bellows Manufacturers number 078 This model does not have an air button Accordion reeds Leather bellows made with acid-free card stock Black domed delrin buttons One thing you'll notice right away is how light this instrument is, very comfortable to use and play. The concertina has a bright tone but not overpowering. The action of the buttons is great - I originally sold a Lachenal Excelsior from the late 1800's because the action on this newer concertina was so much better. It really improved my playing. This is a high quality instrument in an intermediate price range. Why am I selling? I was fortunate enough to get a truly wonderful vintage concertina, and also recently bought a baritone, so I have finally decided I can't keep the Morse any longer. That and the fact I need a new furnace, have college tuition payments, etc. The usual story. This really is an excellent instrument, so drop me a note if you are interested. It comes with and will be shipped in the famous, nearly indestructable IBM shipping case - not a pretty case, but very protective. I'll be happy to talk price with interested parties. Happy to answer any questions, and can take some pictures and send them along if you are interested. Jay

I just so happen to have a piano accordion, if you are still interested. It is a Hohner Bravo 72 Bass, bought new from the Button Box in 2004. I played a fair amount for a year, enjoyed it, but since I got a pup followed by a Lachenal Edeophone, well, something has to give. I've hung on to it for over a year, but just have not gotten to playing. Let me know if you are interested. Jay

I just KNOW I'm going to be somewhere like the Squeeze-In or the Button Box and find some reason that maybe one more concertina will fit into the group I already have, fill that little niche for playing duets and trios as opposed to groups of four or more ... I've thought about learning another system but have resisted thus far - my employment keeps getting in the way of practice time as it is, another system would put me over the edge!

Hadn't thought of it that way before - that DOES make me feel better! Jay

I'm probably not alone in accumulating concertinas. I've only been playing EC about 5 years, but I've had 5 concertinas, and actually still possess three of them. I started out with a relatively inexpensive 1950's Wheatstone, sold that, got a old Lachenal Excelsior, sold that, got a Morse treble, then a Geuns baritone. The Morse came while getting a repair on the Lachenal at the Button Box. I really liked the action of the Morse, and ended up getting it. A year or so passed and I ordered the baritone - some tunes just sound cool on a baritone. While getting a minor repair on the baritone, I started noodling around on a Lachenal Edeophone they had and fell in love with it. After getting my repair done, I drove away and called my wife about the wonderful concertina I just played. And surprisingly, she said if it is that great, go get it. So I turned around and went back to get the Edeophone. I'm now going through all my stuff at home to see what I can sell to pay for this instrument. I am selling my accordion, no time to play it anymore. Along with some little used woodworking equipment, some books, etc. etc. Obviously, the easiest solution (and easiest to explain to family members that don't share my concertina interests, shall we say) I could sell one of the other concertinas, but they each fit into little niches - the Morse has accordion reeds, and stands out a bit more when playing in a group, the baritone give me another range and is perfect to accompany my friend on treble, the edeophone is nice for solo performance ... Anyone else ever put themselves into this fix? Overextended on concertinas, selling stuff to pay for their habit, and a spouse that just can't undertstand why anyone would want more than one concertina? I tell her I could have worse habits. And I should probably stop trying out other concertinas while having repairs done.