taram Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Hi all, I'm interested in learning to play the concertina, but I have some concerns about how much movement, repetitive stress and weight bearing would go through my (right) elbow. I broke it rather thoroughly a year ago, and, while I am still in pain, I have good odds for a full recovery and becoming pain free - as long as I use but don't abuse the joint while I rehab. It seems like I could rest the right side on my leg and predominately move the left side - is that correct, or correct for the Anglo style? It seems like in that case there would be movement but not a lot of weight bearing. Also, could someone describe the general movement of sqeezeing and opening the bellows? Is it more like straight back and forth, or oblongs, or figure 8s, etc - ?? I know that's a very subjective question, but I'm starting from knowing nothing so any info is very helpful! Thanks, Tara M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterT Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 It seems like I could rest the right side on my leg and predominately move the left side - is that correct, or correct for the Anglo style? It seems like in that case there would be movement but not a lot of weight bearing. Hi Tara, Firstly, welcome to the Forum, and the wonderful world of the concertina. I've just posted a few short video clips which answer your query better than a written description: http://uk.youtube.com/profile?user=pgtrimming You are right with what you are suggesting. In terms of the bellows control, the Anglo (like most bellows instruments) can be controlled by opening them a bit like a fan. You'll note that you can see both of my hands while I am playing. The right end, whilst anchored on my right leg, is at a slight angle. Hope this is of assistance; keep us posted regarding your progress. Also, feel free to keep posting questions on the Forum. You'll find several differing views on many topics! Regards, Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 (edited) Hi all, I'm interested in learning to play the concertina, but I have some concerns about how much movement, repetitive stress and weight bearing would go through my (right) elbow. I broke it rather thoroughly a year ago, and, while I am still in pain, I have good odds for a full recovery and becoming pain free - as long as I use but don't abuse the joint while I rehab. It seems like I could rest the right side on my leg and predominately move the left side - is that correct, or correct for the Anglo style? It seems like in that case there would be movement but not a lot of weight bearing. Also, could someone describe the general movement of sqeezeing and opening the bellows? Is it more like straight back and forth, or oblongs, or figure 8s, etc - ?? I know that's a very subjective question, but I'm starting from knowing nothing so any info is very helpful! Thanks, Tara M Hey Tara I'm not sure how to quantify an answer to your questiond, but might I suggest looking at a few videos to see the different players and their different styles of playing. http://www.concertina.net/forums/index.php...amp;#entry61184 There has been occasional discussions to anchoring one side or the other on the knee for support which might help. Glad you found us Thanks Leo (Peter Looks like we posted at the same time) Edited October 7, 2007 by Leo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m3838 Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 (edited) Hi all, I'm interested in learning to play the concertina, but I have some concerns about how much movement, repetitive stress and weight bearing would go through my (right) elbow. I broke it rather thoroughly a year ago, and, while I am still in pain, I have good odds for a full recovery and becoming pain free - as long as I use but don't abuse the joint while I rehab. It seems like I could rest the right side on my leg and predominately move the left side - is that correct, or correct for the Anglo style? It seems like in that case there would be movement but not a lot of weight bearing. Also, could someone describe the general movement of sqeezeing and opening the bellows? Is it more like straight back and forth, or oblongs, or figure 8s, etc - ?? I know that's a very subjective question, but I'm starting from knowing nothing so any info is very helpful! Thanks, Tara M Hey Tara Well, you are probably right about ancoring right side and pull the left. But concertina is not an accordion, and your right elbow will still be under some stress from having to resist twisting forces. Anglo, with it's energetic push/pulling may not be the right instrument. English may fare better, but still your elbow might not like it's load. However, (vey handy and timely) I made short (7Mbt) video about putting the home-made inexpencive strap system on your concertina, and one of "bonus" results of it is that one of the sides is firmly ancored against your body, so the elbow doesn't feel much pressure. So you may consider English with the strap. Or Duet with the strap will be even more comfortable. But in your case I'd buy expencive used instrument, well broken in, to avoid stiff bellows and stubborn reeds. Try it, if it doesn't work, sell it. So we're talking about $2000+/- The video is here: http://www.mediamax.com/berbentos/Hosted/M...strap%20001.mov Edited October 5, 2007 by m3838 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taram Posted October 7, 2007 Author Share Posted October 7, 2007 Wow you guys are fast! Thank you all so much for the comments and videos - they answers lots of questions, and it's great to see you play. I think that either resting on my leg or making a strap should do the trick for my whiny elbow while letting it strenghten and get used to the movements of playing. I'll check the forums for the discussions on anchoring to a knee - nice to know I'm not trying to do something really weird. m3838 - thanks esp. for the thoughts about stiff bellows and buying used. I don't think I can swing $2k tho but I am now off to wade through all the buying info/threads I can find to start getting all the info I can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ragtimer Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 Well, you are probably right about ancoring right side and pull the left. But concertina is not an accordion, and your right elbow will still be under some stress from having to resist twisting forces. Anglo, with it's energetic push/pulling may not be the right instrument. English may fare better, but still your elbow might not like it's load. I was thinking the same thing -- that an Anglo has a very dynamic, constant reversing of the bellows between push and pull, and you might be better off with an English or Duet, where you reverse the bellows only when running out of room, or for emphasis. However, (vey handy and timely) I made short (7Mbt) video about putting the home-made inexpencive strap system on your concertina, and one of "bonus" results of it is that one of the sides is firmly ancored against your body, so the elbow doesn't feel much pressure. So you may consider English with the strap. Or Duet with the strap will be even more comfortable. I do mean to figure out the strap system someday, especially if it would let me play either of my Hayden Duets while standing up. Do consider that most Duets (at least those with finite prices) are heavier than English, But in your case I'd buy expensive used instrument, well broken in, to avoid stiff bellows and stubborn reeds.Try it, if it doesn't work, sell it. So we're talking about $2000+/- Possibly a well-played-in (reeds and bellows) Jackie or Rochelle would be OK too? Some have commented that the reeds are a big stiff, but maybe those play in over time also? I do see used Jackies (English) and Rochelles (Anglo) listed for sale here. Usually around $240. Anyway, welcome to the squeeze-world, and don't hurt that elbow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m3838 Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 K too? Some have commented that the reeds are a big stiff, but maybe those play in over time also? I do see used Jackies (English) and Rochelles (Anglo) listed for sale here. Usually around $240. If the guy has $1000 to spend, why waste money on Rochelle or Jackie? Esp. used, when we don't know if they are built to last. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ragtimer Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 (edited) If the guy has $1000 to spend, why waste money on Rochelle or Jackie? Esp. used, when we don't know if they are built to last. Can you still find a playably restored Lachenal for $1000? The used mdoern hybrids (Morse, Tedrow, etc.) that I've seen advertised here were listed at quite a bit over that. Otherwise I agree; we don't know how long a Jackie/Rochelle's action and bellows will hold up. Maybe by now some avid new player who has flogged his for hours every day for several months could tell us if any wear has been noticed. Edited October 10, 2007 by ragtimer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taram Posted October 10, 2007 Author Share Posted October 10, 2007 If the guy has $1000 to spend, why waste money on Rochelle or Jackie? Esp. used, when we don't know if they are built to last. Girl actually and I don't have $1000, but perhaps I will in a year or two, and Bob Tedrow's exchange policy will make that possible. I've decided to go with a Rochelle, as I really like the Anglo sound and my physical therapist says as long as I go slow, stop when it hurts, etc., that the exercise should actually be good for my elbow. I guess if that's not the case, I can try English and see if that works better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m3838 Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 If the guy has $1000 to spend, why waste money on Rochelle or Jackie? Esp. used, when we don't know if they are built to last. Girl actually and I don't have $1000, but perhaps I will in a year or two, and Bob Tedrow's exchange policy will make that possible. I've decided to go with a Rochelle, as I really like the Anglo sound and my physical therapist says as long as I go slow, stop when it hurts, etc., that the exercise should actually be good for my elbow. I guess if that's not the case, I can try English and see if that works better. I used "guy" as a general denomination of a human being. After all a "girl" is just a "guy" with a womb, isn't it? I like the sound of Anglo better myself, but ended up with English. Just got tired of figuring out impossible passages on push and pull. But I guess I just want too much too quick. Good luck and don't let yourself to be taken over. Be wary. I spent 6 months in therapy for simple Tendonitis. An ordeal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m3838 Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 BTW, why not share with everybody. I made another type of wrist strap for English Concertina. The idea is to aid thumbs with pulling bellows apart. So you sit down, put your concertina on the knee, put your straps on and combine pulling through the strap with the thumb loops. Picture number 3. Two velcrow strips, attached to the thumb strap screw on the top and connected, so they fit the wrists not too tightly. Any comments? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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