Jim2010

Thank you Gary. Sorry for the delayed reply. I was out of town without internet.

Is there somewhere other than Amazon to purchase this book? I am in USA.

This paper seems to give hope to those who would like Goya's painting to depict some kind of early concertina=type instrument (possibly made by one of Edward Jay's ancestors, of conjured up by one of Ricky Jay's). https://pubs.aip.org/asa/jasa/article/138/3_Supplement/1912/639760/Early-history-of-the-European-free-reed

Could you elaborate on this? Maybe it is obvious to others, but I don't know what the terms "bot" and "machine learning" actually refer to. I imagine "bot" refers to a computer/computer program designed to do something over and over until it is stopped or the electricity shuts off. "Machine learning" might mean a computer/computer program compiling information for subsequent use by the thing itself or some other thing for the benefit of business hucksters (or tyrants).

I don't know exactly where Middle of Nowhere, GA is located, but Bob Tedrow is about 2 hours away from Atlanta on I-20. He is a great source of information and usually has a number of concertinas on hand (sometimes ones that he has made). Bob Tedrow, Homewood Music, 1712 28th Ave S, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 879-4868 https://hmi.homewood.net/

Expanding on what RAc said, it is conceivable that an English, Hayden, or Crane concertina would suit you best. As a guitar player (who has very limited experience with playing concertinas), the three types of concertina I just mentioned share two general concepts with the ukulele: they have repeating patterns of note placement and each note/button (as string/fret position) sounds the same note regardless of whether you push or pull (strum up or down). While it will take time and practice to actually play and make music with them, you will be able to learn how/where to play chords on these instruments in a matter of minutes. They take shapes that you can move around similar to ukulele chord shapes that can be moved around.

Really wonderful, Didie. You have always impressed me as someone who is diligently working to perfect his craft. It really shows in this performance. If I remember correctly, when you first got the extended bellows, you said they didn't help as much as you had hoped for, but it seems you have learned to get the most out of them. Thank you for sharing this recording.

Great job. I bet the audience really loved it!

If I remember correctly, the first Jewish mayor of Dublin was in the 1600s. So, I imagine there have been many 'Jews in Irish Music." I have visited the Irish Jewish museum and can recommend it. https://jewishmuseum.ie/

Speaking as a longtime guitarist, you might consider adding melodic texture (echoing or varying the melodies, adding single line harmony to them, etc.) rather than concentrating on adding/duplicating harmonic texture, along the lines of a flute or saxophone player backing up a singer.

Didie, Congratulations! You keep advancing in the direction of more and more beautiful sound.

Congratulations on the smooth TSA encounter. Best wishes for a rewarding trip.

Beautiful, beautiful. And I have played it on the lute (and guitar).

If I am staying in a hotel, I usually have a few options. I can practice early in the morning in the "exercise" room or laundry room (rarely anyone there but sometimes it isn't easy to turn off the TV). Sometimes there is access to a meeting room or restaurant/bar that isn't used during the day. I sometimes ask a staff member if there is somewhere I can practice "so I won't disturb anyone." If weather permits, I find a park or other outside seating area. During inclement weather, I find an enclosed parking lot or a little trafficked section of a public building (such as a bus/train station, convention center, university building).* Even when people are around, they are usually more curious and interested than annoyed. Be polite and leave immediately without debate (apologizing when appropriate) if asked to move. * For example, In Charlottesville I have practiced in the Paramount Theater, The Sprint Pavilion, and the bus station.

Wonderful, two jokes in one!