Beating A Dead Horse....

[darcybethd]

OK. So. 2 months ago I bought a cheapie 20b Anglo and have been frusterated with it ever since. Paid waaayyy to much for it, its too heavy, yadda yadda yadda, everyone knows this part, its just all wrong. I've been so mad at it that I have only learned a few tunes but dont pick it up that much, though I wish I did. So my new plan is this: 1] With the help of AmericanExpress get money back from icky, lying man who sold me the concertina, a process which is already in progress (AmEx is really great for this) 2] Start from scratch all over again with new concertina.

So with my new plan, and all the help I have gotten from reading this site...I have 1 dillemma (and where the dead horse comes in). Since I didnt really 'get to know' the Anglo style very well, I'm considering switching over to English, because from what I gather, I can get a nicer 'beginner' English for less than anything decent as far as an Anglo goes, and have an easier time learning with a better instrument. Since Im not already 'tainted' to one style I dont think this will be that big of a deal. So....any opinions? (and if anyone can tell me honestly if I'll be able to play Irish music on the ec that would be great, but if its going to turn into a fight I just dont want anyone to say anything. ) Thanks!!

-Darcy

[JimLucas]

Since I didnt really 'get to know' the Anglo style very well, I'm considering switching over to English,... So....any opinions?

It's really up to you. If the idea appeals to you, I think it's certainly worth a try.

 

...if anyone can tell me honestly if I'll be able to play Irish music on the ec that would be great,...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You can if you want to.

 

Keep in mind that an English isn't an anglo, so there's no good reason why you should feel obliged to try to make its style more like an anglo than like a flute, fiddle, or mandolin. But if you want to sound like an anglo when you play English, it can certainly be done, as this sound file by Henrik demonstrates. (Yep, that's an English.) For a different style of playing Irish on the English, see what you think of the Irish stuff on my sound-file page. (If those interest you, I can direct you to a few others that aren't on that page.)

 

And check out Henk's tune links page for lots of other stuff. Anglo, English, and duet can all do a lot more than just Irish.

[bill_mchale]

So with my new plan, and all the help I have gotten from reading this site...I have 1 dillemma (and where the dead horse comes in). Since I didnt really 'get to know' the Anglo style very well, I'm considering switching over to English, because from what I gather, I can get a nicer 'beginner' English for less than anything decent as far as an Anglo goes, and have an easier time learning with a better instrument. Since Im not already 'tainted' to one style I dont think this will be that big of a deal. So....any opinions? (and if anyone can tell me honestly if I'll be able to play Irish music on the ec that would be great, but if its going to turn into a fight I just dont want anyone to say anything. ) Thanks!!

-Darcy

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I am not necessarily sure you can get a "nicer" beginner English for less money. It all depends on what you consider a beginner instrument but I imagine that the Stagis the English run around the same as the Anglos of a given quality level. I would say that prices are comperable up through the mid range instruments. The only exception is the Jackie from the Concertina Connection. It does have an excellent price for a starting English Concertina and has been relatively well received.

 

The real price difference (right now anyway) comes when you decide you want to upgrade to a high end vintage instrument. There are a fair number of Wheatstone English's floating around for less than $3000 and in good condition. There are no Jefferies or Wheatstone Anglos in good condition floating around for the same price. I suspect that if you are buying new from Dipper and Suttner that you will pay the same or even a bit more for an English (after all they actually have more reeds and buttons in a 48 button than even a 40 button Anglo ).

 

Yes you can play Irish Music on an English Concertina and frankly, unless you happen to be floating in a sea of concertina musicians, the other people in your local session probably won't notice the difference. The big disadvantage of the English Concertina used for Irish Music is lack of instruction. Its essentially the same problem that Silver Flute players have. In the Catskills this year there were 4 Anglo Concertina Teachers but no English Concertina Players. So the big issue with English Concertinas is that you are going to be charting your own territory and likely teaching yourself. There is a wealth of material and teachers available to teach how to play the Anglo in the Irish Style.

 

--

Bill

Edited August 1, 2005 by bill_mchale