groeswenphil

I play a D/G instrument. For years, I've put off trying to play things in other keys.....but I've finally bitten the bullet. I actually find that playing scales and arpegios really does help. Phil

Seen this? Phil

I have a Marcus D/G. Don't know for sure, but I don't think it would be louder than a Crane. It is a gorgeous instrument though. I try playing it outside for Morris, but it really isn't loud enough for that. Does well in sessions though. Fast and responsive except down the bottom end of the G row. I'm convinced that playing the Anglo concertina pushes Alzheimer's syndrome five years further down the road. Phil

I was given this little figurine of a man playing a concertina. It's about 2cm tall. Phil

Hi, Anybody remember this LP record? Mexborough English Concertina Prize Band by Nigel Pickles? I still have the LP, but was wondering whether it was available as a CD, or MP3? Thanks, Phil

When I checked that out, I came across this knee trembler. Phil

Go for it. Personally I found the transition easy as so many concertina skills simply transferred. I now find that loads of my repertoire can be played equally badly on both instruments although strangely, some tunes only appear dooable on one or the other. To start with, you won't go far wrong with a Pokerwork.....and to my mind it has a sound that sounds so right when played for Morris. At the moment, I play one of the new Hohner Morgane melodeons...Lovely and not too expensive either. It still has that classic Hohner sound, so unlike the more modern Italian jobs. You don't need a three row....not yet anyway. Remember, the more buttons that you have, the greater the weight that you have to carry. However, some melodeons come with the two top buttons, the two nearest your chin tuned to four accidentals. This can be really useful. Others will have some deeper notes on those buttons. Decide which you think you'll prefer. Good luck, Phil

That is pretty much the way that I started, but I bought a 20 button East German Hohner. The thing that I learned was that I really loved playing Anglo, but within a very short period of time I'd upgraded to a 30 button Lachenal. Your alternative is to buy something more expensive, then if you discover that concertina isn't for you, you'll be able to sell your concertina and probably not make a loss. If on the other hand you buy your black pearl, you probably won't recover the cost if you decide that you don't like it. Take a look at this. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LACHENAL-20K-C-G-ANGLO-CONCERTINA-RESTORED-/280588444248?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Keyboard_RL&hash=item41545fe258#ht_500wt_1156 or this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Anglo-Concertina-G-Jones-26-key-/110608359937?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Keyboard_RL&hash=item19c0c5a201#ht_500wt_1156 Phil

I think it looks more like one of these. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemnitzer_concertina Phil

Basically you get your C and your G row and the middle notes of a third row. Personally I never saw the point although if you only ever play the tune then it might have a point. I think I'd either keep saving or sell a kidney. Phil

Show can still be seen in the UK using BBC IPlayer Phil

As a general rule of thumb, decide how much you can afford, then find a way to double that amount of cash. Selling a kidney might be a good idea. Concertinas are funny things. They look so innocent but can take a huge chunk out of your earnings. Melodeons on the other hand cost a lot less and make a lot more noise.......sorry music. Phil

Getting back to the gnomes. Would they be C/G gnomes or G/D gnomes? Phil

Motley Morris squire Peter Hargreaves was absolutely spot on by refusing to perform without black faces. Had they done so, the next step would have been the removal of the witches from Macbeth. Then the murders would have been taken away too and we'll all live in a society where the only cultural diversion will be a Starbuck's coffee. Phil

Take a look at Marcus Butler's new miniature Anglo. I've been told that it is absolutely gorgeous. http://www.marcusmusic.co.uk/