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Turloughsgirl

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Everything posted by Turloughsgirl

  1. Thanks Bruce! I was wondering which Concertina Grainne plays. She is awesome! I've attended several of she and Billy's workshops for harp at various festivals, and as far as Celtic harp is concered, they are most definitely The Masters of the Celtic Harp.
  2. The first time I heard the Concertina was at a Harp Festival where Grainne Hambly and Billy Jackson, Masters of the Celtic Harp, were performing. Grainne was playing the Concertina, and that was when I knew I would have to learn how to play this sweet sounding instrument. I am so thankful for Concertina.net, all the wonderful people I am meeting who are graciously offering their kind comments, suggestions, and insights!
  3. Thanks Wolf, this is very helpful. There is so much to learn about this fascinating and fun little instrument!
  4. Hi Wolfe, Are you saying that an Anglo 30b Rochelle C/G is not the preferred instrument to play in Irish Sessions? It may be some time before I actually join a session. I don't intend to play fast paced Irish dance music all the time, but to accompany my harpist friends with slower paced Celtic tunes. Thanks! Nancy
  5. Thanks Bob! Can you please message me in a personal conversation? I have some questions about lessons, etc. Thanks!
  6. Hello, I just purchased my first Anglo 30b Rochelle Concertina, and my goal is to play Irish music and participate in sessions one day. I am being taught to play across the rows, however, I understand this is not the preferred way for learning Irish music. I would really appreciate any thoughts, comments, suggestions, or insights about this. Thanks in advance!
  7. Today I had my first Concertina lesson and purchased a used Rochelle 30b. I felt like I had entered Accordion Heaven, when I opened the door to this amazing little shop/studio whose walls were beautifully decorated with all styles and colors of any type of Accordion you can imagine! This brought back some very fond memories, as I had a cousin who played Accordion and we would dance around the kitchen on Sundays to polka music. Little did I know that one day I would be leaning to play a relative of the Accordion. Good times are coming!! I had an hour long lesson with Jodi, who is an excellent teacher and learned "Twinkle, Twinkle," and "This Old Man." I found that the Concertina wasn't as difficult to learn as I thought it may have been. I remember learning "Twinkle, Twinkle." on the harp, and I can say that it was much easier to learn this time!
  8. John, Thank you so much for the encouraging words! So you are on to me; yes my forum name after Ireland's greatest composer and harpist; (in my opinion of course). He traveled Ireland for 50 years from one end to the other composing his music and performing his tunes. What an exciting life to live; wish I could quit my job and travel in his footsteps! So you have played some of his tunes on the Anglo- that is great! I hope to learn some of them myself, after I graduate from learning "Twinkle, twinkle," or whatever they teach you first on the concertina. I remember playing that first on celtic harp, and then when I was able to play "Greensleeves," I thought I was a real pro. Love this website. I am meeting people from all over the world! Blessing to All!
  9. Thank you! I hope I will be as passionate about playing concertina as I am about harp. I didn't begin harp until I was almost 30, and had to learn to read music. It was my determination and passion for the instrument that enabled me to play and to keep going. I consider myself a young senior citizen now, and as long as my brain and hands are functioning, I will continue to play!
  10. Thank you Wolf! Woooohooooo, I am so excited, I have scheduled my first concertina lesson for this Friday! Please wish me luck. I attended a workshop once at a Harp Festival and found the concertina to be a somewhat mind boggling instrument, but I guess if I've learned to play the harp, I can learn concertina as well!
  11. Bob and Roger, It's encouraging to hear there are some "friendly" irish sessions. After reading Barry Foy's Field Guide to the Irish Music Session, you would think that such a thing is non-existent. I know of a session in my area with a group who are are all professionals, including a celtic harpist, who have made several recordings. Although I messaged them, I don't expect to be part of that group, as I am an advanced intermediate harpist and do not play professionally. Bob, thanks for the advice, I definitely would not play anything loudly, a session that starts out "friendly," may quickly become "unfriendly," if I were to try that and may get thrown out all together with concertina in hand:) Roger, I remember hearing Derek Bell with the Chieftains, and he was an excellent harpist. I think the challenge with playing celtic harp in sessions is liking and learning to play jigs and reels, which is not something I would typically choose to play. So, I plan to get started on concertina and visit as many local sessions as I can to just listen and enjoy some good pub food. I'm so glad I found this site, it has been a wonderful blessing!
  12. Thank you so much for the valuable information, Dana. I think I'm going to rent out a Rochelle 30b to get started, or maybe just purchase one. I really appreciate everyone's input, it has helped a lot!
  13. Thank you blue eyed sailor and Bruce. Bruce, how long do you think it would take before I would be ready to join in with a concertina? I realize it depends on how much time is spent with lessons and practicing, but, I thinking it may take me a couple of years. I plan to just visit as many sessions as I can in the meantime. Thanks!
  14. Hello! Thank you in advance to anyone who can help me. I currently play a celtic harp, but have wanted to play in Irish sessions for quite some time. Since the harp seems to be rarely used in sessions and I have been interested in concertina for awhile, I'm thinking of giving it a try. I understand the Anglo is the concertina of choice for Irish music. So I have many questions. Is it difficult to join in or find sessions where a concertina would fit in? I realize I will give myself at least a year or more to learn the instrument before even considering a session. Next, would a 30 button be a better choice over the 20, and is there plenty of music available out there to learn on a 30? There is a shop in my area that offers lessons and currently has a Silvetta 20 button, however, I saw and heard a Scarlatti 20 on you tube that sounded pretty decent. I haven't seen many 30 button, but am thinking that it might be wise to invest in one over 20. Any thoughts of advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
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