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Re: Ergonomic Handle For English Concertina


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After wa-ay too many ears of limbo I came back to this. Remember Goram Ram and his ergonomic handle?

 

Finally I made the handles for my Jackie. Interesting. Even without the wrist straps it feels better, having eliminated the necessity to push with the thumbs. Now I'm waiting for the sealer to dry to put the handles on and start working on the leather wrist strap. Man, I had to re-drill the holes for a larger diameter of screws, as longer screws are thicker. It was a scary moment, but seems like it worked.

Oh anticipation!

 

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o.k., this one's working for me, thanks.

 

As to the topic, I had my discussions with Göram too, and although I always felt like the handles could work for some, I was and am not inclined to adopt the idea for an instrument I'm playing. For me small dimensions of the ends and not too much weight means a lot as I'm much into working with the bellows, prominently for shaping the attack.

 

Your additional fanning (according to "Ratface's" playing his TT Aeola) points further in another direction (with the not-too-tiny Jackie itself providing an adequate basis for all that) I guess. Not sure what exactly you're winning for me as I don't feel uncomfortable with my unmodified instruments. However, you're producing a nice vibrato with the instrument on your knee...

 

I loved further exploring your YT channel BTW.

 

Best wishes - Wolf

Edited by blue eyed sailor
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If you work with the bellows, the handles are the way to go, regardless of the weight of the instrument. :)

But one has to experiment, lots depend on the shape of the ends, length of the screws and length of their thread (especially). If the ends are not flat and don't provide for a firm sitting for the handles - lost case, unless one comes up with yet another idea.

I definitely wouldn't drill into $$$ instrument. My Tenor Lachenal will sit unmodified (for now). :D

Fanning of the bellows comes from the attempt to save the folds from wear while keeping the instrument firm. I learned it from my accordion teachers and Astor Piazzola, btw.

Using the pinky rest has always been a hidden art for me. :wacko: I'd much rather use the pinky for playing.\

Oh, so I provided you with the link to my channel? Hmm. Lots of stuff there, for sure. My entire teaching career.

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As I'm not experiencing a lack of bellows control I'm not disturbed by the fact that my new instrument has raised ends then... ?

 

Besides, re using the "pinky" for pressing buttons rather than "resting", I totally agree with you as for my own playing, which had soon engaged four fingers left and right without intention.

 

Best wishes - Wolf

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Remember Goram Ram and his ergonomic handle?

...I had my discussions with Göram too....

 

I'm currently very stressed for time, so I'll save my comments on the actual topic for a bit later, but I'll mention that about 1½ weeks ago I spent a pleasant afternoon with Göran (with an "n"), and we discussed various technical issues, including and especially the fact that different "solutions" seem to work "best" for different individuals.

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Remember Goram Ram and his ergonomic handle?

...I had my discussions with Göram too....

 

I'm currently very stressed for time, so I'll save my comments on the actual topic for a bit later, but I'll mention that about 1½ weeks ago I spent a pleasant afternoon with Göran (with an "n"), and we discussed various technical issues, including and especially the fact that different "solutions" seem to work "best" for different individuals.

 

By the way, I lost contact with Goran (no idea how to make the two dots above the "O"). Can you ask to send me his contact address? I would like to show him the handles and discuss a few things. Thanks. My email is chocholosa@gmail.com

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Remember Goram Ram and his ergonomic handle?

...I had my discussions with Göram too....

 

I'm currently very stressed for time, so I'll save my comments on the actual topic for a bit later, but I'll mention that about 1½ weeks ago I spent a pleasant afternoon with Göran (with an "n"), and we discussed various technical issues, including and especially the fact that different "solutions" seem to work "best" for different individuals.

 

Jim thanks for popping in to see Goran. How is he now ?,Not too good the last Email I had from him.

Al

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Jim thanks for popping in to see Goran. How is he now ?,Not too good the last Email I had from him.

He seemed fine. I think, though, that any discussion of Göran the person -- as distinct from his ideas -- should be kept off-Forum. I'll let him know that both you and Michael are interested in communicating with him.

 

As for ideas: He broached the idea of starting/restarting a Swedish or Scandinavian concertina association, and I agreed to work with him on that.

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  • 1 month later...

All right then. Here is my final cut for the "Petite Fleur" by Sidney Becket.

https://youtu.be/p0-MjYvigXk

Yes... very nice indeed.

 

But that is only a single melody line... if you were playing something that included accompaniment then you might want more bellows extension and also a longer keyboard ( say a 56k) might not suit the use of 'handles'. When I'm using both high and low notes of a 56 key ( at the same time) I find the central grip of the thumb strap allows my hands to pivot a little to get a comfortable playing position.

Edited by Geoff Wooff
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1. To my opinion Concertina has no need for 56 keys. Waste of money, unless you have special patent to make those squeakers respond and sound well. However, with taller palm rests and more angle the reach is better, but ... for using thumbs as a pivoting center for extended keyboard your point is correct.

2. Below is some heavy harmonizing piece, using my Tenor Lachenal. On the knee, fanning. Never felt the need to extend the bellows. Do believe that if you extend your bellows the way you describe to have enough air, your technique is incorrect.

 

https://app.box.com/shared/4qay98fit2

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ad 1. I don't believe Geoff was referring to n ET. It's the TT he most likely had in mind.

 

ad 2. No offense, but would I have the intent to play such a tune this way, I would ideed not feel that need myself too. But since I like my Bach slightly different, I do.

 

Listen here if you like (albeit this was with the leaky bellows, am improving on this recently; and it's not Bach actually; however, here's a single-line melody Bach piece, still like the recording).

 

Best whishes - Wolf

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Hmm. Seems to me you simply crush ahead

with the melody. Now I understand where you come from. My observations: You are only half way through the music, you learned the notes, but then stopped. I guess you like it this way and it's not my job to teach anyone, except myself. OK, thanks for the interesing discussion.

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