Jeff Stallard

My daughter asked to try out my concertina yesterday (Geuns English), so I jumped at the opportunity. She's currently studying the violin, so I tried to explain, as much as you can to a five year old, how the instruments are completely different, and yet play the same notes.

Yeah, I noticed that. It's very tempting. It fills all of my requirements except one: at least 3 octaves.

I've been away from music for a while. After my kids were born, there was just no time. Now they're a little older and I'm looking for a modern/new treble EC for ~$2,000. It seems that the market is a lot thinner now than when I was in it last. While I like the sound of older models, I had my fill of maintaining them back when I had my old 1870s Lachenal, and I don't want to go through that again. Anyone looking to offload one?

I found that applying a little torque to the bellows as the first movement in a draw, similar to the motion you might make opening a book with both hands, helped my thumbs out a lot. If I drew the bellows in a linear fashion, then yeah, mine hurt as well. EDIT: Ha, sorry about the necro! Didn't realize it was that old.

Do you know in what year this was made?

I stepped away from music for a number of years (and sold my EC) when my kids were born. Now I'm in a position to start back up, so I'm doing my homework. I've always been intrigued by the instruments made by Concertina Connection, but are they still around? Their site is, but there are a lot of dead links. Naturally, I thought that you fine folks would have the skinny on their existence.

I have an older Stagi, but I'm seeing references to a new, better action, and I'm curious if the changes are significant. However, I can't find any pictures, videos, or even just specific descriptions. Does anyone know where I can find a comparison of old and new Stagi action?

I'm only 5'7", plus I have short little 'punkin fingers, and because of that the stretch getting to the upper rows was not comfortable. I probably could have gotten used to it, but I just decided to go back to the English.

It was $300 (w/ free shipping), but someone already put in a bid, so the Buy it Now option is gone.

I just listed my Elise Hayden Duet on Ebay, then it dawned on me that I should have gone here first, seeing as this site was so helpful when I was first learning to play. If someone from here ends up getting it, let me know and I'll donate to the site. All the information is at this link: Auction Link

The link to the ad seems to suggest $1000. Sounds reasonable to me - but then the current dollar/GBP exchange rate would make it a lovely bargain over here. I already contacted Michael, but thanks. Yeah, the weakening dollar must look very nice right now.

After many months of deliberation, I've decided to part with my Lachenal. I just don't play it anymore, mostly because I'm focusing on the CBA now, and I don't want to sit on it when others can be playing it, so up it goes. Here are links to the Ad, and a page with pictures and an audio sample. Ad Pictures and Audio Sample

A few years back, I did some research into kilts, and discovered not only that the kilt we think of today is English in origin, but that clan-specific tartans are a modern convention.

Thanks for the advice. I'll give that song, and your fingering patterns, a whirl.

Which free reed instruments are double action (same note on push and pull)? There's the English concertina and the piano accordion. Is that it?

Wow, look at all those bellow folds!

Wow, what are the odds of that?!

I came here for the free booze.

Thanks for the review. I'll be selling my Lachenal soon and was curious if the Geuns/Wakker treble would be a good replacement.

Hilliard eh? Well shoot, that's only about 20 minutes from me (Gahanna). First Greg stopped by when he came through town, then you...Columbus is swiftly becoming a concertina MECCA!! Unfortunately, I can't really help you since I don't play the anglo at all. If you're interested in getting involved with a beginner session, one just started up toward Delaware. There are five of us so far. If you just want to get together and talk shop, let me know. I can try to convert you to English.

Ahh yes, I forgot the obvious fact that hornpipes are usually syncopated.

Yeah, but a lot of this stuff isn't traditional at all, but rather early 20th century Irish American music. But then you have to define what's "traditional" and what's not...

Hornpipes are usually played more like they were 2/4, meaning a bouncier up-beat polka kind of sound.

Imagine bringing this up at confession. Would he just roll with it, or ask what the hell you were talking about?

1. What makes a style? Can it be learned or one has to be born into tradition? Style comes from our inherent insecurity about standing alone. We're never confident in ourselves, so we mimic other people, thus a style is born. 4. What's the most beatiful thing of all? Truth 6. Where exactly lies a distinction between art and craft? Art is perfection of a craft. Craft is proficiency in, and dedication to, an activity, regardless of the activity. 7. Have you ever wanted to quit music? Concertina? Of course 8. Have you had formal training? Would you wish to have/not to have formal training? Yes, and no. 9. In what way you'd like to improve a concertina? Make them cheaper. 10. Was it ever that you liked a tune, wanted to learn it and it didn't work? Of course. 11. Is there anything you don't like about concertinas? There aren't enough modern builders. 14. What is the most influential book that you read? Thoreau's "Walden"