I am a beginer and am looking to buy a concertina.
I can play keyboards and read music
Iwould be playing along with cds aand learing from music books
I presume I would need a chromatic scale concertina to play along with cds
as I am only new I would be looking at purchasing a second hand concertina
I have no idea what to buy so thought I would get some advice from here
thanks
Full Version: Learner Needing Advice
Hi Julie & welcome - it sounds as though you've come to the right place
to help us advise you could you please tell us a bit more about the types of music you are interested in playing, what is it about the Concertina that has drawn you to want to learn it, and give us some idea of the budget you would be looking to spend on your Concertina.
regards
Woody
to help us advise you could you please tell us a bit more about the types of music you are interested in playing, what is it about the Concertina that has drawn you to want to learn it, and give us some idea of the budget you would be looking to spend on your Concertina.
regards
Woody
QUOTE (Woody @ Jun 22 2008, 02:09 AM) 
Hi Julie & welcome - it sounds as though you've come to the right place
to help us advise you could you please tell us a bit more about the types of music you are interested in playing, what is it about the Concertina that has drawn you to want to learn it, and give us some idea of the budget you would be looking to spend on your Concertina.
regards
Woody
to help us advise you could you please tell us a bit more about the types of music you are interested in playing, what is it about the Concertina that has drawn you to want to learn it, and give us some idea of the budget you would be looking to spend on your Concertina.
regards
Woody
this isnt a dr. phil, one-size fits-all concertina-therapy forum!
The different sorts of concertina are very different indeed. It's not like choosing between a violin and a cello, or a trumpet and a tuba. The principles that govern the designs of the instruments are very different.
An Anglo gives you two different notes per button: one "blow" and one "suck", and the scale moves more or less logically from one finger to the next.
An English gives you only one note per button, whether you "blow" or "suck", and the notes of the scale altrnate between left hand and right hand.
The English is fully chromatic. The Anglo is heavily biased towards one or two specific keys.
When I was first attracted to the concertina, "logic" told me that the English would be the most versatile because of its chromatic nature. However, I borrowed one and just could not get on with the scale aleternating between left and right sides.
I then picked up an Anglo and it felt right for me. A year and a half later, I'm still as enthusiastic as I was on day 1, and I play as near to every day as life permits.
So the best advice i can give you is to try before you buy. Borrow one of each if you possibly can.
An instrument isn't a tool, it is a voice, and you need one that suits you.
(Before anyone complains, no I haven't described the duet systems and their doubtlessly numerous advantages and charms. I know little or nothing about them so I'll leave that for someone else.)
An Anglo gives you two different notes per button: one "blow" and one "suck", and the scale moves more or less logically from one finger to the next.
An English gives you only one note per button, whether you "blow" or "suck", and the notes of the scale altrnate between left hand and right hand.
The English is fully chromatic. The Anglo is heavily biased towards one or two specific keys.
When I was first attracted to the concertina, "logic" told me that the English would be the most versatile because of its chromatic nature. However, I borrowed one and just could not get on with the scale aleternating between left and right sides.
I then picked up an Anglo and it felt right for me. A year and a half later, I'm still as enthusiastic as I was on day 1, and I play as near to every day as life permits.
So the best advice i can give you is to try before you buy. Borrow one of each if you possibly can.
An instrument isn't a tool, it is a voice, and you need one that suits you.
(Before anyone complains, no I haven't described the duet systems and their doubtlessly numerous advantages and charms. I know little or nothing about them so I'll leave that for someone else.)
Talk about a "concertina-therapy forum!"
While "blow" and "suck" certainly have appropriate places in music and the arts,
most Anglo players use "press" and "draw."
At least they must have in the Salvation Army bands.
Student to Claire: "Do you blow or suck at that point?"
"Excuse me?"
While "blow" and "suck" certainly have appropriate places in music and the arts,
most Anglo players use "press" and "draw."
At least they must have in the Salvation Army bands.
Student to Claire: "Do you blow or suck at that point?"
"Excuse me?"
QUOTE (cocusflute @ Jun 22 2008, 03:34 AM)
Talk about a "concertina-therapy forum!"
While "blow" and "suck" certainly have appropriate places in music and the arts,
most Anglo players use "press" and "draw."
At least they must have in the Salvation Army bands.
Student to Claire: "Do you blow or suck at that point?"
"Excuse me?"
While "blow" and "suck" certainly have appropriate places in music and the arts,
most Anglo players use "press" and "draw."
At least they must have in the Salvation Army bands.
Student to Claire: "Do you blow or suck at that point?"
"Excuse me?"
hahah. "i didnt think it was possible--but this both sucks AND blows." ~bart simpson
QUOTE (david_boveri @ Jun 22 2008, 02:51 AM)
QUOTE (Woody @ Jun 22 2008, 02:09 AM)
Hi Julie & welcome - it sounds as though you've come to the right place
to help us advise you could you please tell us a bit more about the types of music you are interested in playing, what is it about the Concertina that has drawn you to want to learn it, and give us some idea of the budget you would be looking to spend on your Concertina.
regards
Woody
to help us advise you could you please tell us a bit more about the types of music you are interested in playing, what is it about the Concertina that has drawn you to want to learn it, and give us some idea of the budget you would be looking to spend on your Concertina.
regards
Woody
this isnt a dr. phil, one-size fits-all concertina-therapy forum!
I love country music although I like all types of music.
I am a small built person and found guitar/bango a bit too big.
my mother had a piano accordian and I liked it except again it was too big. I love the sound of the concertina
my budget is about $300AU
I make that around £144. (Sterling)
Seriously, you could try a chromatic harmonica and get a very good one indeed for that money. Or a whole set of diatonic harmonicas in the main major and minor keys.
Or a half way decent second hand melodeon.
Or a beginner's concertina.
I have tried many instruments, and although I'm a fairly good harmonica player and used to be "workmanlike" on the melodeon, the concertina is the first instrument to really grab me. But it isn't for everyone.
Sounds to me like you're considering a concertina for size and convenience, rather than lusting after one.
Try before you buy. It isn't for everyone. But if you do take to it, it's wonderful.
The fiddle's a good country instrument and suitable for small-built people.
Seriously, you could try a chromatic harmonica and get a very good one indeed for that money. Or a whole set of diatonic harmonicas in the main major and minor keys.
Or a half way decent second hand melodeon.
Or a beginner's concertina.
I have tried many instruments, and although I'm a fairly good harmonica player and used to be "workmanlike" on the melodeon, the concertina is the first instrument to really grab me. But it isn't for everyone.
Sounds to me like you're considering a concertina for size and convenience, rather than lusting after one.
Try before you buy. It isn't for everyone. But if you do take to it, it's wonderful.
The fiddle's a good country instrument and suitable for small-built people.
QUOTE (david_boveri @ Jun 22 2008, 08:51 AM)
QUOTE (Woody @ Jun 22 2008, 02:09 AM)
Hi Julie & welcome - it sounds as though you've come to the right place
to help us advise you could you please tell us a bit more about the types of music you are interested in playing, what is it about the Concertina that has drawn you to want to learn it, and give us some idea of the budget you would be looking to spend on your Concertina.
regards
Woody
to help us advise you could you please tell us a bit more about the types of music you are interested in playing, what is it about the Concertina that has drawn you to want to learn it, and give us some idea of the budget you would be looking to spend on your Concertina.
regards
Woody
this isnt a dr. phil, one-size fits-all concertina-therapy forum!
Eh????
...
QUOTE (Woody @ Jun 23 2008, 08:51 AM)
QUOTE (Mikefule @ Jun 22 2008, 09:19 AM)
The different sorts of concertina are very different indeed. It's not like choosing between a violin and a cello, or a trumpet and a tuba. The principles that govern the designs of the instruments are very different.
An Anglo gives you two different notes per button: one "blow" and one "suck", and the scale moves more or less logically from one finger to the next.
An English gives you only one note per button, whether you "blow" or "suck", and the notes of the scale altrnate between left hand and right hand.
The English is fully chromatic. The Anglo is heavily biased towards one or two specific keys.
When I was first attracted to the concertina, "logic" told me that the English would be the most versatile because of its chromatic nature. However, I borrowed one and just could not get on with the scale aleternating between left and right sides.
I then picked up an Anglo and it felt right for me. A year and a half later, I'm still as enthusiastic as I was on day 1, and I play as near to every day as life permits.
So the best advice i can give you is to try before you buy. Borrow one of each if you possibly can.
An instrument isn't a tool, it is a voice, and you need one that suits you.
(Before anyone complains, no I haven't described the duet systems and their doubtlessly numerous advantages and charms. I know little or nothing about them so I'll leave that for someone else.)
An Anglo gives you two different notes per button: one "blow" and one "suck", and the scale moves more or less logically from one finger to the next.
An English gives you only one note per button, whether you "blow" or "suck", and the notes of the scale altrnate between left hand and right hand.
The English is fully chromatic. The Anglo is heavily biased towards one or two specific keys.
When I was first attracted to the concertina, "logic" told me that the English would be the most versatile because of its chromatic nature. However, I borrowed one and just could not get on with the scale aleternating between left and right sides.
I then picked up an Anglo and it felt right for me. A year and a half later, I'm still as enthusiastic as I was on day 1, and I play as near to every day as life permits.
So the best advice i can give you is to try before you buy. Borrow one of each if you possibly can.
An instrument isn't a tool, it is a voice, and you need one that suits you.
(Before anyone complains, no I haven't described the duet systems and their doubtlessly numerous advantages and charms. I know little or nothing about them so I'll leave that for someone else.)
There is also of course also the Duet
Woody, such a pity you didn't cover the duet as I'm looking to purchase one, and this thread may therefore have answered some of my questions as well. Anyway, I'm not about to highjack this thread
QUOTE (SirDon @ Jun 23 2008, 08:34 AM)
Woody, such a pity you didn't cover the duet as I'm looking to purchase one, and this thread may therefore have answered some of my questions as well.
For all types might I recommend Mr T's Concertina FAQ - at www.concertina.info
QUOTE (Woody @ Jun 23 2008, 05:04 AM)
QUOTE (SirDon @ Jun 23 2008, 08:34 AM)
Woody, such a pity you didn't cover the duet as I'm looking to purchase one, and this thread may therefore have answered some of my questions as well.
For all types might I recommend Mr T's Concertina FAQ - at www.concertina.info
One of the 3 best sites for information. The other two are
Mr S had a great site for info: http://www.concertina.net/
Mr G has a wonderful site also: http://www.concertina.com/
Thanks
Leo
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.