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chungerford

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Posts posted by chungerford

  1. I intend to find some books to help me get started, however, after goofing around with the Hohner D40 I just recieved it is apparent I am going to need a lot of personal attention if I want to learn this instrument. (and I do ) If anyone knows of someone teaching the concertina in the Orange County, California area I would be very grateful. Thanks for your attention.

    JimB

    Greetings,

    How has your progress been? For what it its worth, six years after the original post, I am doing some teaching in Irvine.

     

    Cheers,

    Carl

  2. Interesting thanks.We were still doing N.Minstrel shows in the Cub Scouts in Manchester, England in 1948 and it was still common on TV till the 70s. Even Lenny Henry the black comedian ,blacked up' They had a massive infuence on popular music and passed into tradition as songs and tunes for dances, even Morris had its share.

     

     

    Mind you, blacking up was used as disguise well before Minstrel shows came over to Europe. EP Thompson in 'Customs in Common' as I remember , discussed how social dispute would be exercised by those with a grievance but little power, in disguise. he also claimed that this, exported to the staes could lead to vigilante or Klan activity, so there's an interesting interaction of factors.

     

     

     

    Just as we had black athletes talking objectively about slabvery and physical strength it is interesting to see groups like the Chocoalte Drops reclaiming some eof the black minstrel tradition , even the banjo!

     

    I have a postcard of a youth concertina band in blackface from around the 1920's (my guess). It's interesting to know how late the practice continued.

     

    The Carolina Chocolate Drops are fantastic. If you have a chance check out some of their interviews where they talk about their approach to retaining the essence of the historical music while avoiding negative aspects of the genre.

  3. I also replaced each of the valves. I suspect the the reader will be able to tell the new valves from old!

     

    Did you use commercially prepared valves, or did you use the chamois or some other type of leather and make them yourself?

     

     

    I used the valves from Concertina Connection and used gum arabic as the adhesive. But any of the suppliers will do beautifully. Even though the price does add up a bit, I think it is worth it to leave the cutting to someone with a proper punch!

  4. An instrument I recently received also had issues, from the photo you can see the blackened chamois from the air passing between chambers and the blackened valves. I redid the chamois with some swell stuff from Target and glued it with gum arabic. I also replaced each of the valves. I suspect the the reader will be able to tell the new valves from old! This moderate amount of work made the instrument decently playable.

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  5. Greetings,

     

    I have put up my remaining lot (15 left from the run of 20) of ES&MIC Concertina Band on EBay. These are 8x10 photo prints done on Kodak Metallic paper and have a fabulous old-timey look. Many of the defects have been 'corrected' from the highly damaged original, but still looks old.

     

    The photo features a number of Duet and English! Edeophones and Aeolas clearly shown!

     

    ESMIC Ebay AD Link

     

    If you purchase, and contact me with the mention of Concertina.net, I will refund the $5 shipping fee!

     

     

    Cheers,

    Carl

    post-1193-0-50745100-1340986971_thumb.jpg

  6. My radical plan... 10 minutes per day.

     

    Shock! Horror! Some may say.

     

    I've found ten minutes may last up to 45 or more! But Trying to plan the allocation of 45 minutes or an hour may often seem like too much of an impact on the schedule - and then not happen.

     

    Keep the box handy! A few minutes often will be more productive than a few marathon sessions.

     

    Cheers,

    Carl

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