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Greg Jowaisas

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Everything posted by Greg Jowaisas

  1. At the 2004 Noel Hill Midwest camp there were 3 Jeffries C/G concertinas. All were definite "sound" cousins. They all had a "Jeffries' joyfull sound" but none had a pronounced "honk" that I associate with the more impertinent side of the Jeffries family. All three were nice, but slightly different sounding concertinas. One of the four Dippers present could produce a "honk" that reminded me of Jeffries. One of the four Dippers (a different one) had, what I consider, just about the ideal sound. There was a Lachenal set up by Paul Groff that I still consider one of the best sounding concertinas that I have ever heard. Noel Hill spent 20 minutes of his lunch time playing each of three different Carroll concertinas. He'd go back to his Linota, then pick up the Carrolls again. Each of the Carrolls was a tiny bit different. All were obviously Linota inspired and seemed to be holding their own with Noel's. The sound of Bernadette's Tedrow impressed me. Any one of those concertinas was to die for and they all sounded different. Go figure. Greg
  2. A post in the Buy and Sell forum under "Concertina Wanted" revisited the ongoing discusion of concertina vs accordion reeds. With the approach of my 2nd anniversary of infatuation with the anglo and renewed interest in the english, it made me think a bit of how fascinating and consuming the concertina can be. I started this current journey with a "concertina reed" sound in mind inspired by the recordings of Alf Edwards and Aly Anderson and the leaky 1960s Matusewich Wheatstone I had "fooled" with for 20 years. After an intense two years of listening, playing and sometimes buying every concertina I could find I have come to a renewed appreciation of the wonderful craftsmanship of the legendary vintage makers and applaud the modern miracles the current concertina makers are creating. I'm curious about what qualities of the concertina, perhaps including your own instrument, that make it so intiguing and satisfying to other members of this forum. I've met a number of people who prefer the "rounded" tones of accordion reeded concertinas. I still lean toward the "edgey" concertina reed sound. Within the bounds of that preference I enjoy a Lachenal that has more of a "clarinet sound". I love that "Jeffries honk" in a bouncy hornpipe. Who can forget the uillian pipe sound, complete with regulator overtones, that Noel Hill squeezes from his Linota? I can lose myself while staring at the intricacies of an instrument's fretwork. The warm feel of well shaped bone buttons under my fingers...well, my wife better not catch me going there! So what aspect(s) of the concertina intrigues you the most? Regards, Greg
  3. I've enjoyed following this discussion. I think Boney identified some of the reasons musicians fall into one camp or the other but I'm glad Ken pointed out that there can be exceptions. I'll add one anecdote. I do many traditional music presentations in schools (Hmm! sounds contradictory already!). I was at a well heeled Country Day School Academy and found that they had a string program. I was delighted and surprised to find the violin teacher using the old-time/bluegrass tune "Cripple Creek" as part of their repertoire. The string teacher offered this explanation: "Only 1 out of 10 of my students will actively continue to play their violins in a classical setting into their adult life. I thought that more of my students would continue to play if they were comfortable with folk and other kinds of music in addition to the classics." To which I said Alleluihah! and walked away knowing I had met a wise teacher. Regards, Greg
  4. Hi, Mr. Moore. A serial # usually found on the fretwork end of the concertina would be helpful in determining when your concertina was made. The Horniman Museum has an archive of many of the Wheatstone #s and often mentions a model type. A few pictures, if possible, would delight the crowd and help the experts in evaluating your concertina. Regards, Greg PS. You might want to repost your inquiry under a new topic heading titled: "24b Wheatstone information wanted"
  5. A beautiful looking box! (But where are the hex/allen wrench Tedrow "signature" endbolts?) Keep up the good work, Bob! Greg
  6. Leon, Take a look at the Simon Wells tutorial:" A Supplementary Anglo Concertina Tutor, by Simon Wells" in the cnet. learning section. Simon gives a lot of advice worth considering including a section on cross rowing. I will point out that bellow direction changes can also work in favor of the music. Attending a Noel Hill camp is a great way to learn cross row fingering along with Noel's "system" that offers a very practical approach to the anglo and Irish music. Enjoy the adventure! Greg
  7. Thank you Allan, Jon and Wes. The sight is easy to use and the content is wonderful!! This will push me over the "long over due" edge to subscribe to the ICA. Thanks for all your hard work and keep those concertinas bellowing. Greg
  8. I went back and reviewed some posts that Dave Prebble had made. At a time when i was beginning my incredible concertina journey Dave took the trouble and patience to reply to a neophyte's desperate questions. His answers were thorough and and thoughtful. His advice on glues and reversablity guide my approach to repair and restoration today. Thank you, Dave. Here is to a speedy recovery, and I hope the doctors didn't use LHG on you! Regards, Greg
  9. Hi Sarah, I'll second and third the rcommendations to contact Chris Algar. The more choices you have the better chance of a good fit. I'll also recommend Malcolm Clapp. He presently has a New Model Lachenal for sale. The New Models can be quite nice. I'm with you on your thinking of getting the best instrument you can afford once you've fallen in love with the concertina. The joy of playing a good instrument will reward you many times over for your initial investment. And yes, strike while the money is in the bank account. Before all those "practical" things like a newer car, refrigerator, or new roof get in the way! (Well, maybe the roof is a good long term, necessary purchase) The point is, as someone on cnet previously noted, that a good concertina will last 100 years! And a good car....? Best of luck and congratulations on your commitment! Greg
  10. Hi Nanette, We are all rooting for you. Keep after it. You may want to bring your concertina to your therapy and show it to your therapist. I've found physical therapists to be very creative and insightful people. They may build a whole series of exercises and create a therapy regime to help get you playing again. I wish you all the best in your journey to recover. Greg
  11. Hi Cappy, Welcome to the wonderful world of concertinas! We hope you can stay a lifetime. Most 20 button C/G instruments have the same notes as their 30b C/G counterparts on the two home rows. The 30b instruments add a third row of accidentals and useful duplicate notes. You'll learn lots of fingering and technique on your 20b that is a direct transfer to a 30b. While a 30b has most of the notes that you will require to play in any key and some important notes to play in "session correct keys" like D and A, don't sell your 20b short. Wonderful Irish players like John Kelly and Kitty Hayes rarely (if ever) used any notes outside of the two home rows even when extra notes were available. There is a lot of good music to be made on a 20 button. So enjoy your 20 button. Look forward to a 30 button. If you really love a tune and the "conventional key" doesn't set well on your 20b you might consider transposing. (D modal often works where E modal won't) Sometimes the transposed setting has a charm on the concertina that the "correct key" lacks. Above all, have fun and make good music with the particular instrument that you have in your hands at any given moment. Regards, Greg
  12. I just heard on the news that Dr. Weizenstein's research facility has been quarantined by the CCD. As evidenced by Stephen's wonderful photos the "concertina gene" can jump species, even phylums! Witness the poor dachsund infected with the "Crabb concertina gene"! Frightening and exciting! Greg (CCD: Center for Concertina Devolution)
  13. My understanding is that Henk's work will be appearing in "The National Enquirer", "The Globe" and "The London Sun". Since these impeccable bastions of journalistic truth are known to pay huge sums for revealing photos perhaps we should rephrase to "cash in stone"? Keep up the good work, Henk! I'm looking forward to your photo documentary of "Alien sightings at pub sessions". Regards, Greg
  14. From floridapiper's name I'm guessing he may live in the same state as his moniker. If so it might be illuminating to look up some of cnet's sunshine state alumni. I'm thinking of Daniel Bradbury in the Tampa area and Paul Groff in Miami. Either of those fine musicians, and in Paul's case, also teacher, instrument dealer, could give you some wonderful insights into how they play and how to make good music on a concertina. (And there are some others in Florida who might also be of help.) If floridapiper lives elsewhere there may be other resources in his area. Sometimes choosing an instrument can come down to practical support. By this I mean local resources. If I lived next to Noel Hill I would get an anglo and pester him for lessons. And if Alistair Anderson lived close by I'd concentrate on english concertina. You might want to check around your area and consider who might be able to aid in your musical adventures and that might influence your decision. Best of luck, Greg (Edited for sp. and fuzzy "thinkining".
  15. Well done! You are hired to cater my birthday. Each year I ask for a concertina instead of a party and presents. No one ever listens, but with your help I'd at least have my concertina cake and get to eat it too! Many happy returns. Greg
  16. Stephen, Look Out!!! It is a Borg viral infilltrator!!! If you have touched the buttons you are already infected and are receiving commands from the mother hive: "Buy more concertinas Colonize the Galaxy!" My sympathies and regards, Greg
  17. I played a Catholic high school this morning (St Pat's Day)concentrating on Celtic and Appalachian music connections. Contrasting the "Whistling Gypsy Rover" with "Gypsy Davy" was fun. Contrasting "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" with "Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya" was poignant. Lots of fun but more than a little frightening when I asked for a show of hands for those playing instruments! A count of 3 or 4 out of 60 left me wondering if what we really need in America is "No instrument left behind"!. Off to catch our local Irish band. Happy St. Paddies Day! Greg
  18. Stephen Chambers mission in life must be to go where none of us have been before on ebay! Keep up the good work Captain Chambers! and keep us informed of the alien artifacts that you uncover on your noble trek! Live and prosper, Greg
  19. In my experience with minis it is both surprising how many tunes can be played with a nine or ten note scale + a few accidentals and discouraging how some tunes are just a note or two out of reach. A miniature will stimulate the "creative arranger" part of your musical personality. Where the tune sits on the available notes leads to some interesting keys. I think the number one problem is literally "coming to grips" with a miniature. Goran Rahm has done some very good work in this regard. I've found him to be a very helpful resource in "handling" a mini. Regards, Greg
  20. Paul Groff is in the Miami area and well worth a 2-3 hour drive to do a lesson or consultation. You can find contact info in cnet.'s Links or under makers and repairers in the Buyer's Guide. There is another cnet. member in the Boca Raton area. I apologize for forgetting their name. Daniel Bradbury is a cnetter and lives near Tampa. Dan would be a good contact to find other players. I have a friend in the Gainesville area that plays anglo. If you plan on being up that way, email me and I'll put you in touch with her. Regards, Greg
  21. And if you had replaced the rubber valves with more of the same you would have been....a retyree, Dave! Regards (I think), Greg
  22. Kim, One of the most often recommended computer software programs is the Amazing Slow Downer. There are several threads on this that you could use the search feature and find. Several other programs are mentioned and opinions given. You can google Amazing Slow Downer (ASD) and get the details. The ASD program lets you slow down (and speed up) a regular music cd when played in your computer's cd rom port. The pitch does not change! You can also adjust the pitch if you'd like. Sometimes that is necessary to match your instrument. You can pick out a segment of the tune and loop it so that it plays over and over. Great practice on those difficult runs! It is indeed "amazing" and well worth the download charge of $40. many times over! Regards, Greg
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