larryjhs
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Posts posted by larryjhs
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I know it’s a bit off topic, but...Just because it’s the weekend.
As part of my real life, I lead an international development project in Bangladesh. I am there often. In old Dhaka, there are instrument makers on one street in the remaining traditional Hindu quarter who amongst other things, make harmoniums as well as traditional flutes that cost almost nothing (bansuri). My barber in the market plays one. There are also cheap electric guitars.
You can see here the boxes and reeds. I didn’t see the bellows or keyboards but they may import these from India. I should find out if the reeds are local. These instruments are very cheap, about $60USD. The wood is not great Good ones are much much more. Also included is a tabla maker. I’ve seen skins being scraped on inverted turtle shells.
I just thought these photos remind us how local workshops were 150 or more years ago when concertina were first being made.
If I gave one of these guys the plans for a concertina I could probably end up with a very exotic instrument. There are lots of tiny bookbinders and box and paper bag folders and pasters who could do the bellows.
The skills of many other trades are on display in the countryside, such as shallow-water riverboats that look like gondolas built just by hand with no special tools. And furniture makers are everywhere
Harmoniums are of course very popular. One of my students sings and plays very well. Why they survived as an outcome of Empire maybe due to the fact that they are more robust in the climate. I cannot believe that concertinas were not also brought to the subcontinent
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I've just come back from a long sojourn overseas, and am delighted that Adrian's book (which I 'won' because I spotted an error in one of Gary Coover's books) was waiting for me. What a beauty.
So it is back to music but Jake the cat has colonized one of Gary's books (the second I think). I forget the name of the tune, though I can hum it...
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I had a benign carcinoma aka Mr Lump in my forearm years ago. The lump was removed, but there was nerve damage as they hat to cut it out so I lost some feeling for years in some fingers, so it was hard to write. I was not playing at the time. But the nerves have responded over time. I think any exercise such as playing is good. I also had therapeutic massage after my operation. That was great.
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Thanks, or make that the prize I won (if Adrian permits). Or contact me off line.
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I’ve been wanting something like this. I’d love someone to take on Bach or Vivaldi...
But to my disappointment, I have discovered that amazon in the US or the UK won’t ship this book to Australia. It may be some rights issue and/or how Rollston Press lists with Amazon. It it may be the collection of sales tax for Australia by Amazon. Nor is it with Book Depository. Do you mind checking out what can be done, including a downloadable copy (it appears that is possible).?
Thank you.
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I came across this article and video of an old Irish New Yorker. What’s the tune?
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/26/nyregion/matty-talty-a-musical-concierge-from-county-clare.html
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On 9/18/2018 at 5:45 PM, gcoover said:
Thanks so much for posting this, Larry! I had the good fortune to see that very concertina and also have a few pints at the Chequers with the Headington Quarry Morris Men a few years back. Also got to visit William Kimber's final resting place complete with carved stone Morris bells and concertina.
Gary
Thanks.
Excuse me for taking so long Gary. I really enjoy your books -- that is what I basically learn from as my ability to read music has totally declined and will have to wait until I have more free time. . I *think* in my amateur way I may have picked up a few errors in your keying -- do you want them?
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I came across this recent documentary on William Kimber, mostly an interview with his grand-daughter Julie Kimber-Nickerson talking about his music and the people he moved with, and his son Alan sings as well. Kimber’s concertina is also played a bit. It’s a lovely bit of filmmaking about a musical family. Bits of old film and photos as well.
http://www.folkweekendoxford.co.uk/back-to-the-quarry.html?start=3
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Back to the Quarry is an exciting new project exploring the musical history of the Kimber family from Headington Quarry, Oxfordshire - from the great concertina player William Kimber, who has inspired generations of musicians and dancers, to his granddaughter Julie Kimber-Nickelson and her family who still live in the village today. The Kimber family have had a significant impact on the folk and Morris traditions of Oxfordshire, and are still making a contribution to the living and evolving musical traditions of the area.
The BTTQ project aims to share Kimber's story with the local community - and wider afield - by creating an interactive website which gives visitors the chance to explore different parts of the story. We'll also be doing workshops with two local primary schools, where the children will get the chance to explore the heritage materials and find their own way of telling Kimber's story.
Come back to this page for updates from our project blog, or visit us on Facebook or Twitter.”
Larry
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I found him on concertina.net. I have messaged him and we shall see.
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Can anyone advise me how to get a copy/scan (saves on postage) to Land of Oz - The Anglo-Concertina Music of William Kimber by Dan Worrall? It’s out of print/ unavailable. Is Dan in this list? I am not sure. As some people know, Kimber’s harmonies are remarkable, but for a neophyte like me, I find them easy. Some of Worrall’s pages are on line (but not all ). and English Country Garden is in one or two of Coover’s great books which I basically learn from 99% of the time.
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Hello,
I'm actually also a learner bookbinder but I have also won some first and second prize in our state fair competition!
For what you want to do, PVA glue is fine. You can water it down with a bit of wallpaper paste mixed in water if the glue is thick, but it should not be runny. The trick is to spread it over the paper with a stiffish paint brush if you don't have a more traditional round brush, and then flip onto the pasteboardfrom the edge avoiding as many bubbles and sticky fingers as possible, as well as bits of hair or dirt. Then use a bonefolder or a plastic ruler edge to squeeze it down and get glue that is squeezed out away from the edges. The flipping or laying bit is easier said than done. Use a waste sheet underneath, past outwards.
Then, lay it all between two pieces of board, between sheets of WAX paper, and lay some bricks or weights on top for a few minutes, so that it absorbs the moisture. In fact, check it, and you should still clamp it for some time to prevent what is called cockling - curling and in fact, keep it weighted until it is quite stiff. you may want to use 3mm paste board or something thicker
The video shows how https://bookmaking.wonderhowto.com/how-to/glue-bookbinding-195805/ with a simple version. In this version, the paper goes over the board and is folded nicely on the back. Good instructions. -
I hope I am reading this date correctly, but if it is true, please oh please may it be put online by a kind person, even TG4!! He is the promo clip- put on English subtitles from Gaelic. They are well, partly ok.
Noel Hill - Aisling Ghéar | Dé Céadaoin 18/4 9.30pm | TG4
https://youtu.be/Po4xDGwmp1IClár ina dtabharfar léargas géar ar chúlra, ar mheon agus ar cheol duine de na ceoltóirí traidisiúnta is cáiliúla in Éirinn, Noel Hill A searing portrait of one of Ireland's most renowned traditional musicians - concertina player Noel Hill.
Larry
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I am relisting as a scamster tried to get money out of me (see the scams list). I am asking for AUD$600 plus postage (under $40 in Australia I think to most places) or come by if you are in Melbourne. If it goes overseas I will need to look into that. I will negotiate a bit.
I'm upgrading, so I am reluctantly selling no. 74526, to help pay the bills It dates from approx 1883 from advice I got on concertina net.
It was restored in 1970 by Frank Pitt, Box Hill (that is Melbourne), as written inside and was owned before me by a woman active in Bush music circles. I don't know much more than that about its history.
I have replaced a number of bushes that have worn out as well as the bits that go in lever arms to stop the wobbles, but due to my skill level at repairs I've not gone further out of respect. I've looked quite a bit into what to use for busines and the lever arms and I have found that bookbinder's leather works fine (that is my other thing) rather than incredibly expensive piano baize. I have an envelope of stamped bushes left over. I've also carefully brushed out dust etc. There is a buzz on keys left 1a and 1b that can be fixed by reed or flap adjustment but as I said, I didn't want to enter in that space (lack of skill). It is very very sweet sounding, 'fast' and responsive, the bellows don't leak. I made a sound file for Chris Ghent in the Blue Mountains some time back and he thought it pretty ok.
The box has aged well though the strap is snapped but that can be replaced. It looks as if the lock was replaced by a 'snap' at some point in time (maybe the key was lost).
Larry
I can provide another sound file but don't judge my playing! I suppose I could skype if you wish (serious people only).
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A miracle on the subway!!
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Paypal scam. I just had someone try to scam money out of me before paying for a Lachenal 20key c/g. The scam is they want you to transfer money to a Western Union a/c to pay for a shipping agent because monies are due to Paypal for a shipping agent and you get a Paypal looking statement about this. They say the Paypal money is being held up but if you transfer the sum, your total funds to paypal will be released to you. It is clever. Watch out.
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Sold!
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Seasonal spelling seems to have infected this post..but I hope it is reasonably clear.
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I am relisting as one sale didn't go ahead and a scamster tried to get money out of me (see the scams list). I am asking for AUD$600 plus postage (under $40 in Australia I think to most places) or come buy if you are in Melbourne. If it goes overseas I will need to look into that. To the US, UK etc, courier is about 70 AUD. I will negotiate a bit.
I'm upgrading, so I am reluctantly selling no. 74526 , to help pay the bills It dates from approx 1883 from advice I got on concertina net.
It was restored in 1970 by Frank Pitt, Box Hill (that is Melbourne), as written inside and was owned before me by a woman active in Bush music circles. I don't know much more than that about its history.
I have replaced a number of bushes that have worn out as well as the bits that go in lever arms to stop the wobbles, but due to my skill level at repairs I've not gone further out of respect. I've looked quite a bit into what to use for busines and the lever arms and I have found that bookbinder's leather works fine (that is my other thing) rather than incredibly expensive piano baize. I have an envelope of stamped bushes left over. I've also carefully brushed out dust etc. There is a buzz on keys left 1a and 1b that can be fixed by reed or flap adjustment but as I said, I didn't want to enter in that space (lack of skill). It is very very sweet sounding, 'fast' and responsive, the bellows don't leak. I made a sound file for Chris Ghent in the Blue Mountains some time back and he thought it pretty ok.
The box has aged well though the strap is snapped but that can be replaced. It looks as if the lock was resplaced by a 'snap' at some point in time (maybe the key was lost).
LarryI can provide another sound file but don't judge my playing! I suppose I could skype if you wish (serious people only).
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Hi, I may want to sell it if I decide about another. Private message.
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Hello
I've been playing for about a year now, slow and steady, bad memory, I need to read the tablature, but I know that the 30 key c/g Wren I have is physically SLOW when it comes to the bellows and keys which are tight in letting air out and playing faster. I know this because I picked up an old 20 key Lachenal that I posted about some time back and she runs fast, very fast.
I don't have all the money in the world to spend...any recommendations? Is the Phoenix any good ? Is there anything else worthwhile under $2000USD?
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Hello, I actually have one I got about 6 months months ago. I've given it some internal TLC as best as I could using that repair book and online help, but there are still buzzes. It was rebuilt about 1970 a/c what is written inside. She is very sweet, very fast, but I am reluctant to part with her yet..., unless.... but what have you to trade. I'd love a better 30 key than the wren I have that runs slow and a 30 key best meets my needs. It has an original box. Something that lets me play faster. I am being held back.
Not concertinas, but harmoniums in Bangladesh
in Instrument Construction & Repair
Posted · Edited by larryjhs
Thanks for the comments. Mobile phones are pervasive in Bangaldesh, connecting both the rich and poor in all parts of the country. Connectivity is relatively cheap even for the poor. Now since you are all so interested, here is a video of boatbuilders at work in the rural parts of the country. You start with a log, saw it down, and take it from there.
https://www.facebook.com/larry.stillman/videos/vb.725866405/10154709844536406/?type=3
And if I can say so myself, attached is one of my favourite photos. They are very easy to take- just an iphone does it. The landscape is a water-scape. In the phone, these are people who collect fry (baby shimp), standing in the shallow water and then they raise them with bonds The net is s blue nylone one. If any of you are interested in Bangladesh- just look at my posts and zilllion photos in Bangladesh-related albums on Facebook. And support good international development projects (totally off topic!)
It's a long way from concertina playing, but on the other hand, they have a very strong folk music tradition that links into traditional poetry (poets like Tagore also contributed). Kids learn a common base of songs in school.