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David Colpitts

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Everything posted by David Colpitts

  1. Sounds to me like more ear might be in order. Can you hear the tune in your head? Can you whistle it? If those work, then I'd concentrate more on a tune or more that you might expect to play than on self-teaching sheet music reading, at least for playing in jam sessions. But, what sort of jams? What genre(s) tunes? What kind of concertina? Many people here know a ton more than I do, and they'll probably weigh in. For my purposes, I needed to get a tune in my head, and then would play at speed only the notes I was sure of...skip the others. I don't think anyone will care if you don't play 'em all; they might care if you clank away and hit the bad ones. Maybe work playing one tune to start? I learned from someone here, "You don't play a tune until you get it right. You play a tune until you can't get it wrong!" Mostly, follow the fun....if playing at sessions "hurts," then just listen and smile. Listening and watching is great practice, too.
  2. As it seems many have, I started on harmonicas (only have about 20) and made the obvious move to melodeon and Anglo from there. Hoped to learn to play self-accompanied folk singing stuff, but reallized that I had to inhale when I played the next higher note....Damn those harmonicas..... Got hooked on GDAE strings, and have several ukes tuned like mandolins, my Dad's old tenor banjo, a tenor guitar and a fiddle. Discovered Hayden duet and lucked into an old Bastari (from the first production run in the 80's) which is one of two 'tinas I play a lot. While practicing silently on the iPad (Musix Pro....a wonderful app!) got bitten by the Janko keyboard bug, and have now converted 2 MIDI controllers and 3 melodicas to that isomorphism. I play them everyday, too. Have a handful of whistles and slide whistles, but don't dare in public.....Same with tenor sax, two autoharps, and full-sized piano. The list goes on.....Dabbler? Collector? Hoarder? Yikes!
  3. Indeed, there've been shipping delays (everywhere and everything chip-related, worldwide, I think) but my hope is those who want a touchable, responsive, versatile and compact isomorphic buttonboard will find it worth the wait. And, although Didie and others have elegantly demonstrated what a fine instrument a pair of Strisos is, in capable hands, I'd suggest that starting with one board will get the ball rolling. In fact, there's quite a bit of room on the board for odd extra fingers, and about 3.5 octaves of range to use. I probably won't need the second board in the foreseeable future, but have used my Striso with previously-acquired external keyboards a few times. In my setup, the only extra "bits" needed are the iPad (which I owned already) and the "USB camera adaptor" to let me plug the Striso into the iPad. And, if one only wants the built-in Striso instrument, just power and a headphone. Although I don't have the skills yet, nor the nerve, my "busking kit" might be the Striso and iPad, a small external speaker, and a couple of synths and apps on the iPad. It fits in a shoebox and weighs about 2-3 kg.
  4. Glad to share! And, as far as the demo person's knowledge of Wicky/Hayden, you are spot-on, David. But, it's just one of so many layouts one can have in MusixPro. I confess I've spent a bit of time in CBA B and C formats, and Janko, too. And, the built-in sounds are so cheesy I always play it out through another synth app; one with better instruments. I don't use GarageBand much, but ThumbJam and others work great. Joe, I amn't sure what you mean by "adjust the orientation of the buttons......" Have you found the Wicky/Hayden layout setting? It does take a bit, but after a while it's just a great "clone" of an actual keyboard, to me. Please feel free to ask any little questions about it; p.m. if you like.
  5. And, if you do have an iPad, you can get MusixPro (I think ten bucks) and that will let you choose from many pre-done layouts, as well as your own. I play Wicki-Hayden everyday on it, and it alllows button-sizing to your hand's comfort. While I have the Duet app Don and David B. mentioned/demonstrated, I find MusixPro simpler for my (admittedly simple) use. I also swear by the Striso, and vouch for the relative ease of shifting among the MusixPro, Striso, and actual Hayden duet. Not identical, for sure, but easily compatible.
  6. Very nice, and a fast player, at that. What are you using for the computer/sound engine/synth/instrument? Thanks!
  7. I read all this with pleasure, since many of the issues have come up for me as I have swapped instruments over the last dozen or so years. I never got very sophisticated with valves; never tuned, but did some accordion chamber rebuilding for a reed swap/key change. The only caveat I would offer regards "shoo-goo" as a valve adhesive. It may be fine, but it is also a powerful gummy globby mess when you try to remove it, and I suspect a solvent for plastic (mylar/polyester) valves. Others here absolutely know more than I about such, though. Have you thought about the NESI Squeeze-In weekend workshop at the end of September? It's in lovely Litchfield, CT. A chance to meet a hundred similarly interested souls in an amazing range of instruments, experiences, talents and ambitions, who generously share with the group in sessions, workshops, and meal-time chat. There may be a slot or two still open. squeeze-in.org should get you more......
  8. Just heard back from Pier Titus at Striso, and definitely more Striso boards are on the way. I suspect he'll make a note on his site with particulars.
  9. Don't know.....I know Piers-Titus goes "on holiday" some summer weeks, but I'll email him.
  10. The bellows part I've no idea on, but have you considered using a Striso board? (striso.org) Built-in Hayden keyboard, beautifully made, responsive and tactile buttons, MIDI all the way, works great with any and all MIDI stuff I've tried. If you haven't already, check Didie's (soloduetconcertina) youtube videos. He plays a double version, angled concertina-ishly, but the single version has a 3.5 octave range and can easily with a button push go up or down multiple octaves, too. I play mine everyday, with herself next to me in the living room watching TV while I play through the iPad and earbuds. With a little JBL extrnal speaker, the iPad and Striso board still fits in a laptop bag and the whole rig weighs about a kilogram. It's a parallel future, for me, anyway. Come to think of it, the Striso also has a pedal input jack. Maybe possible to hook a pressure sensor in that way? That's if the "feel" of moving air is essential to you in this dream device; it certainly would not be necessary for expressivity, IMHO. Anyway, what fun however you proceed!
  11. Thanks, David. I knew you'd know! And, sounds good, to me. If I hadn't started Anglo and "graduated" to Hayden, I'd have tried this, I bet.
  12. I am curious about this thread, but can't seem to find where it began. Can someone kindly point me there? Thanks!
  13. How we wish Concertine Italia had accurate drawings/jigs/fixtures from the first run of Bastari Haydens. Most all the issues people find with the new Stagis were not issues in that run. There were, what, 30 or 40 of them? One might turn up, with a search?
  14. Regarding iPad tactile feedback: My quest for such was (at least almost) satisfied with sheets of self-adhering overlay plastic with regular grid pattern of raised dots. Not the same as the actually responsive interfaces (real keys/buttons) but cheap and simple, with quite a boost in "haptism." It is marketed for kids, people with learning differences, and any like me who want some sort of feedback for positioning on the slippery glass. I think the name is "TacSheets" and I will try to remember to pack my extra sheet for you to try, David B., at the Squeeze-In. I use it on my very old 30-pin iPad, which while it will run most of the apps I use to mess with music, won't take the external controllers, like Striso, QuNexus, XKey which are providing so much alternative fun. And, Simon, while I agree completely with worthiness of "real" instruments, I must say that electronica and acoustica now represent parallel pathways for me, and I can say without reservation that I want both!
  15. Yes, Don, to this guy's penchant for cheap and functional stuff. Reminds me of Dennis Havlena and Linsey Pollack. And, the general notion of wind control appeals to me, though more to my brother, the childhood sax player and current recorder/Casio horn player. I still hope to sing along with whatever my fingers are playing, but that's another story.... And I am not sure what-all the Striso can do, but it sure sounds good through some very inexpensive apps, or even by itself. And the cost is little more than my CC Elise Hayden Duet, by way of comparison to "real" instruments.
  16. I agree that Didie's postings are in the "elegant simplicity" category, and without taking exception to David's quoted person from the past, I'd say he is controlling the instrument. In this instance, the choice is to not push harder or sideways, so as to get the simplest, most traditional sound. But, IMHO, very much his control. And, of course, the Haydenism of the Striso is a huge factor for me; it would be worth the asking price, I think, even with one fewer "dimension" of expressivity. But the MIDI part is very important, since it lets me "be" a cello, or a guitar, or an oboe.....I know many will cringe at the thought, but the sounds are so good, in such small packages, as to astound old folkies like me. Practice quietly, for sure, but also be Walter Mitty in his own orchestra!
  17. Sure, Don, though the Striso I am falling for is a generous loan from a friend. But to answer your question, it sounds to my modestly trained ear that all buttons sound without delay. And, doesn't he list "15 note polyphony" or am I confusing that with something else.? For my purposes, in what passes for normal play, absolutely no issues with delays in sounding. Matter of fact, a nice change from slower-to-respond bass notes on my acoustinc machines.
  18. Thanks, Don, for the excerpts and explanations. I learn here, each and every day. And, FYI, the older "Striso Box" model has fewer buttons on the left, and there may be a couple of not-quite-done examples in Piers' shop (for so I he wrote me) but they represented a bit of a dead-end in the evolution of the project, at least not compatible with new software, as I understand it. But, perhaps a winner for some here? My latest thought is to make a hybrid sort of frame-up, with the Striso as the right hand and my bought-and-paid-for QuNexus Red as the left. I can set it for two octaves below, and use it as a bass side, or some such. Not Hayden layout, but simple enough for some basic leftism. But the Striso has whetted my appetite. For that matter, you clever types can probably re-configure some "extra" Striso buttons to just play other instruments and effects and??? Maybe Didie has already done such? Anyway, thank you for all your information. And, if one considers the interest for silent practice as well as performance electronica, the market may be a bit bigger than some speculate? Or maybe not.
  19. Very impressive work on all these (past and present) and I'll just put my penny's worth here: I have used the Striso (singular) for a couple of weeks, and the extra dimensions of control offered by the silicone buttons make a huge difference to me in terms of creative potential/sound variety/bent notes/and all. I don't yet see any prices or shipping dates for the actual Striso Duet we've seen and heard Didie play so well, but I can imagine simple hobby-shopping an hour or two to make the triangular frame, and with a pair of Striso Boards at uder $1K USD, that power is a bargain, IMHO. My little old iPad could probably play both simultaneously (since it plays the Striso and another MPE controller now) and the whole package, from scratch/brand new, with a smallish PA system, would be about $1600 USD. Not cheap, perhaps, but compared to any other Hayden Duets of such broad range (122 buttons, with adjustable overlap and all) well, there aren't any, are there? So, in my electronic ignorance, can anyone like Howard or others "spec" a button that allows for the kind of wobbly, "wah-wah" and other switching options that the Striso offers? That would let me save up for the Striso Duet!
  20. I also suggest the Morse. The people are the best, and they are the key. But, if this particular instrument has been hacked by amteurs, as Jim suggested there may be some damage. Button Box folks will steer you straight.
  21. Re-veneering might be your elegant solution, but if you want to repair (as I think you asked?) the pearloid is probably cellulose nitrate or cellulose acetate, early plastics. Acetone is probably a solvent, and can be used to dissolve chunks of new stuff to patch the old, as I recall. But beware of fumes, flames, and potential skin reaction. Personally, I am less affected by those chems than by epoxy, urethane, or satinwood. I get a horrible pustulent rash from sanding satinwood, or lacewood, or zebra.
  22. More experienced and knowledgeable folks have more to add, for sure, but my simple take (as an Elise owner who also added a 46 button Hayden to the fleet) is that Don's suggestion about the left hand is the only way to get the 3-octave range. Personally, I can easily get lost on those odd notes, since the octave overlap means it's usually not the bottom row I need to find with my left. But they are there (save for the key of A?) and the Elise remains, IMHO, an excellent "mini-chromatic-accordion" for a great price. I play the 46 button more now, and the right hand has a larger compass that minimizes the need to switch sides. Do I remember you from the NESI Squeeze-In?
  23. Yes, indeed....great playing, Jim, and thanks, David for the link to Jim's YouTube channel. It's good to have inspirational role models such as the two of you!
  24. Yes, indeed. Jim has since divested himself of a full pair of Bastari Haydens; one playable to some lucky pilgrim, and one for parts/repair, to me. As I figure it, David, you and I between us have about 10% of the world's complement of that first-edition Bastari Hayden! In fact, I was imagining having to take parts from the "parts machine" until I realized nothing was really broken or missing on my playable one. And, Jim or David, any extant copy of that Georgy Girl recording?
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