[Beginner Questions...]

Thanks for the information Bill!

 

As for what I plan on playing...I am not entirely sure. I have in my mind that I'd lile to try sea shanties and irish.......jigs..reels...hornpipes, etc.... but that may change. I am not sure if this broad interest lends any clarity to my anglo vs english choice or not...but if it does...please let me know.

 

I currently play 2 other instruments: old-time frailing banjo, and crossharp harmonica. I have a secondary interest in trying some sort of duet with myself via multitrack recording. The banjo plays in key of G, A, C, and D. And I have harmonicas in several keys. So a song such as Fisher's Hornpipe, which I know on banjo, might be fun to learn on concertina as well.

 

I've been doing a little more reading....perhaps you can clarify. A 20 button D40 Hohner anglo would allow me to play a particular song in a particular key. And a 30 key anglo would allow me greater ornamentation and flexibility on this same song...as well as play songs in other keys?

 

Many thanks for the info...I really appreciate it.

 

Mike

 

 

 

 

 

Well it seems to me that you have just gotten the concertina bug and are still sorting all the information about them in your head.  The Hohner is an Anglo and the Jackie is an English... so they really are no practical instruments to cross shop... at least no more so than a flute and a clarinet .  So the first thing you need to figure out is what sort of instrument you want...  Making a couple of decisions can help make that easier.

 

What sort of music are you planning on playing?  Certain instruments are more traditional in certain genres; for example the Anglo Concertina is far and way the most traditional choice for Irish Music.  This doesn't mean you can't use an English to play Irish Music but your instructional resources will be much thinner. 

 

I know little about Englishes, so I will concentrate on Anglos...

I would recommend getting at least a 30 button Anglo... the extra 10 buttons will let you play in pretty much every key for an octave.  For Irish Music, a c/g anglo with 30 buttons will allow you to play in every key you are likely to encounter in Irish Music. 

 

If possible I would suggest stepping up to the mid-range instruments.  Yes they are alot more expensive.  If you get a cheap instrument and you like the concertina, you are likely going to want to upgrade within a few months and since the cheap instruments hold little value you will end up spending more in the long run.  On the flip side, if you get a Morse, or Tedrow or Edgley (or one of the other mid range makers) and decide you don't like it you can sell it for most of its new price.. if you watch for used ones, you could well get one that, should you decide to sell it later, will actually cost you nothing in the long run .

 

--

Bill

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[Beginner Questions...]

Hello,

 

Getting the urge for a concertina....and have some questions. I am thinking these are common beginner questions...

 

1) Do I want a 20 or 30 row?

2) Comments on the Hohner D40 and Jackie?

3) Instructional videos....compare/contrast these 2 videos:

 

The Seaman's Concertina: A Beginning Guide to the Anglo Concertina in the Nautical Style - John Townley

 

Learn To Play Irish Concertina - John Williams

 

4) Best instructional books?

 

5) How limited will I be on a diatonic? I don't plan on playing with other people that that often....is the limitation in that some songs can only be played in certain keys or on a chromatic and not on a diatonic?

 

6) I know this is not the buy/sell topic...but if someone has a used package deal...concertina, instructional vhs, and a book...then email me.

 

Many thanks...I can't wait to start!

 

Mike