Turloughsgirl
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Everything posted by Turloughsgirl
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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!
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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
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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!
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My First Concertina!
Turloughsgirl replied to Turloughsgirl's topic in General Concertina Discussion
You were right, John! -
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!
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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!
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Encouraging and great to hear, thank you!
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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!
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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!
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Anyone out there play celtic harp and concertina?
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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!
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Northeast PA
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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!
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Thank you, Bruce! This is very helpful!
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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!
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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!