SusanW

Hi, If you're mostly interested in playing Irish music on your new Anglo, I'd highly recommend joining the Online Academy of Irish Music and taking the concertina classes. There are several courses taught be 4 different concertina teachers. https://www.oaim.ie/ Have fun! Susan

I searched in the topics and couldn't find what I was looking for....so I hope I'm not duplicating a question. I am playing a 30 button C/G Anglo. I am using my "ring finger" to play the C# on button #19 AND I also use that finger to play the G and G# on button #18. I'm assuming this is "OK". Just for the heck of it, I tried to play # 19 with my "pinkie finger" and just just wasn't going to happen....an thoughts? TIA

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_DAJc-S66iDzOdfNxhtYkw I've been enjoying some of these videos. Does anyone know who this is? They stopped posting a few years ago. Thanks.

I bought a copy at The Button Box. I love it! You did a great job. I especially enjoyed Jim Droney's and Darby the Driver, which you taught to us in a workshop a few years ago.

I believe Chris "Junior" Stevens in Maine does Skype lessons. He's very good.

https://thesession.org/tunes/13158 Here are the dots.

Thanks David, I just emailed you. When I first started playing I found your tutor and printed it out, it is very helpful. Thanks!

That would be a dream trip for me, Lawrence. I'd love to take a class with Mary. Maybe someday. For now I have to stick with regional classes.

I really appreciate all of your comments. As of now, I have decided to do another class with Noel. I got so much out of my first class and expect to do the same this time around. For me, it was money and time well spent. At some point in the future, if time and circumstances permit I will also attend a CIAW or something similar.

That's very helpful information, Beryl. Thank you.

Hi Wes, I do tend to be in the starting "Ors". I want to get faster and more confident. Once I can do that, then I can work on expressing them my own way. Thank you.

Thank you Ross, that is very helpful. I appreciate your input. Susan

Clarification. I've been playing concertina for 4+ years, but have played fiddle (not very well), guitar, piano (classical and for contra dances). I've listened to Irish music for most of my life....more so in the past 30 years.

1. My main goal is to become a better concertina player. I'm old enough that I've had experience with multiple instruments, but at this point in my life I want to focus solely on Irish concertina music. I have been playing now for 4 + years. I've done a few of the OAIM classes, went to some workshops at the Button Box a few years back and took Noel's class. I can play in "slow sessions". 2. I listen to a lot of different players. Favorites include Mary MacNamara and the late Dympna O'Sullivan. If I were rich (LOL) I would do both. Susan

So, This summer I could do one of two things......I could take a class with Noel Hill in New York OR go to the Catskills Irish Arts Week and take workshops with Caitlin Nic Gabhann and Brenda Castles. I took my first class with Noel 2 summers ago and found it very helpful. It was intensive, which works well for me. All I did was go to class, practice, eat, sleep etc. with a bit of socializing in between. If I went to CIAW, I would take 1 workshop in the morning with one teacher, and 1 workshop in the afternoon with another teacher, and there are lots of distracting things to do all day and night. Any opinions? Thanks!