Halifax

I think people give up because it's hard, it's damn hard to play the concertina. It's one thing to memorize the buttons necessary for the tune, then you have to add bellows, and timing, and maybe some ornamentation (the learning of which may mean re-choreographing your buttons/bellows) and even when all this happens, the tune may not have the "swing" needed to make it musical. Or maybe you get the tune to a respectable level and then find that they play it at mach speed at your local session. I play because I love love love my local session. If I didn't have the support of the musicians in town, and all of you on CNET, I'd have given up long ago. Christine

Love it!

Oh, that's a pity, Will, that you're selling your Wheatstone. I hope you have another 'tina to play and that you're just prioritizing things. Good luck with the sale; it's a beautiful instrument. Christine

As always, y'all have been generous with your knowledge/opinions/expertise. The big takaway is that snug straps are okay, that one can reduce the need for a bracing pinkie by resting the bellows on a thigh, that I may want to loosen them as I progress, and that Wunks should either get a new belt, or start wearing yoga pants. Thanks again! Best, Christine

Well, I like my hand straps pretty snug. I have friends who's straps are looser, but they have to brace their hands with their pinky fingers and I need my pinkies available --- especially on the left for that f#. They aren't so tight that they restrict my range of motion, and I'll be honest, I'm not at the point where I'm using many of the buttons on the third row or on the very low or very high end, but when I do, it seems to work okay. When I say snug, I mean I used a nail set to punch another two holes in the wrist straps that came with the Morse. Also, my hands are smallish. Can anyone think of any reason why snug straps are not a great idea over the long term? Christine

One of these days, we'll be in the same country at the same time, Susan. And we'll play together!

We did get to the Irish pub, but there football trumped music. And we didn't find any music shops to speak of. Still, a good trip!

Hello All! My Dad just turned 80, so I wanted to go on a trip with him and suggested that we go to Ireland to hear some tunes and he said: "Meh, howsabout Venice!" So I'm off to Venice today. Any recommendations? Any sessions I should seek out or music shops I should make it a point to get to? Thanks. Christine

Good luck hunting and safe travels! cdm

Oh, but you've got the bug! Are you looking for a concertina keyed differently than your current one? I get it, though. I'm off to Venice next week and am wondering if there are any little shops I should check out... Safe travels! Christine

I couldn't miss Canadian Thanksgiving. Plus, Halifax is quiet a trek from WDC. Sorry to have missed it.

Whoops! I put this in the wrong spot.

Tonight - 4th of October Tickets available from: martyfrye@gmail.com House concert: 7.30pm The Public Option, 1601 Rhode Island Avenue NE, Washington, D.C. Friday 5th of October Workshops: Concertina: 4 - 5.30pm All instruments workshop: 5.30 - 7pm House concert: 8pm Please do register/buy tickets in advance @ http://shannondunnedance.com

Don and Alex: You two are cute! But while I think your suggestions of finger cots would certainly solve the slipping problem, I do have my dignity to think of! Thanks all who've illuminated this discussion. I am in the queue for a new concertina that has brass buttons. It will be interesting to compare the delrin to the brass to see if the slipping is more of a finger problem and less of a button issue. Thank you, Dana, for the thoughtful post on what makers have to consider when creating buttons. This week, while practicing, I'll try to make a mental note of when my fingers slip. When I'm tired? When I'm not confident of the choreography of the buttons in a tune? When I'm reaching with my pinkie? Again, I've very much enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts, opinions, and suggestions. Y'all are the best. Christine

Thanks for your reply, Ken. It occurs to me that I might be playing into the trope: 'tis a poor carpenter who blames her tools.

Hey, All: My concertina has Delrin buttons and sometimes they seem a little slippery. Or maybe it's my fingertips that are smooth and worn from all the typing I do on the computer? Anyone ever consider using a tiny bit of rosin or something to keep fingers from slipping off buttons during the fast bits? Or is it just me? Are bone and brass also slippery? Thanks. Christine

Congratulations, Lefty52! I'm on the waitlist for a Carroll, so I understand the anticipation you feel!

CZ, I have to second Ken's advice. A physical therapist can tell you if it's developing arthritis or an overuse strain. Bring your concertina to your appointment; it's likely the PT won't know what a concertina is, and less likely that he or she will know how playing it could cause physical stress. A quick web search turned up this PT in Tuscon who used to be a musician: http://www.performingartspt.org/for-musicians.html (Please note that I have no affiliation at all with the above, and I can neither recommend her services nor caution you against them) Good luck. Christine

Oh we are on the same wavelength! I've been listening (on repeat) to Noel Hill's version on his new album: The Irish Concertina 3: Live in New York. You can buy the track directly from the publisher (Jack Talty's Raelach Records) or just listen a few times here: https://raelachrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-irish-concertina-3-live-in-new-york Christine

That's excellent information, Myrtle's Cook. Thanks very much. I think this technique could help reduce stress levels is so many aspects of life. Best, Christine

Myrtle's cook, I play a Wheatstone-layout Anglo. It's a good little box, but as I'm learning more tunes, I'm using that pinkie f# on the left more and more. And, like many of us, I am working on my laptop for hours a day. I think I need to remember to stretch throughout the day, do some hand yoga, and importantly, I need to relax when I'm playing. What are some tips you use to get into a zen-like relaxed playing stance? Thanks, Christine

Mdarnton: Thanks for your reply. Yes, I do tend to play tense and have to remind myself to bring my shoulders down from my ears from time to time. But now that I think of it, the only real difference last night was that the button accordionist who usually plays next to me (covers me) was away, so I was perhaps feeling a bit exposed. Christine

Great session last night. I was, as they say in Nova Scotia, givin'er. After one set, a dull pain started in the palm of my left hand, just left of centre. Felt like a pinched nerve or something, I iced it (lucky we were at a bar), took an Advil, and the pain dissipated, but left behind a faint bruise. Today the hand feels mostly fine---the bruise is a bit tender. Weird, hey? Any amateur diagnosticians out there? Christine

As of last March, Wally Carroll's wait time was a mere 1.5 years. That's only 18 months, it'll go by in a blink.

Smile beatifically. Like it was an inside joke and whoever noticed is in on it. Nobody's keeping score. (I hope.) cdm