
wunks
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Heavyweight Boxer (5/6)
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Disappeared from my cache when I went back to find it.
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Other instruments similar to EC?
wunks replied to Aldon Sanders's topic in General Concertina Discussion
Bowed Psaltry. -
As a contra dance musician, I'd suggest playing some accompaniment at first to establish the rhythm. Just a spare bass line and a few chugs here and there. When you're comfortable with that, venture from it into simple versions or fragments of the melody. Contra tunes can be quite complex. Don't be in a hurry. I've been playing fiddle for dances for 50+ years and I'm 5 years into playing concertina but I don't feel confident yet jumping right in to the melody. Bumps and chugs for me for now!. I see you've posted, Jim. Hope this fits...😊
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A lovely still life,,,,😊
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Sometimes transposing to a more playable key is not helpful. If you're playing an established repertoire such as contra dance music, the other musicians ( fiddlers especially ) will not likely be amused or accommodating. Such is the case with the Jeffries duet C core. The friendliest major keys are C,F,Bb and G. Having learned all my contra tunes in these keys I had my 50 button old pitch box bumped up to D core for D,G,C and A, transposing the instrument. Perhaps not doable for other systems but I would guess a C/G Anglo could be converted.
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What an odd way to play that!
wunks replied to SIMON GABRIELOW's topic in General Concertina Discussion
1. Left hand through the strap solves an achy wrist (for me) and allows for a floating hand and a prehensile thumb, essential because.... 2. I can play a bass line ( sparse ), chords ( spare ) and melody through the overlap zone on the LH, effective because.... 3. The 50 button ( at 6 1/4" AtF) Jeff duet reaches down into the Cello range and is chromatic through the Viola and Fiddle range, efficient because.... 4. A Jeffries stroke of genius was to include the Bb ( for a C core instrument ) in the two rows of the C scale allowing for easy fingering in C, F, Bb, and G, Eureka!, because.... 5, Converting to D gives me D, G, C and A. The most common keys for the music I play....😁 -
What an odd way to play that!
wunks replied to SIMON GABRIELOW's topic in General Concertina Discussion
I play with much weirdness, Including left hand fully inside the strap and using thumbs to engage the bottom row of my Jeff duets. I've had one re-tuned to D core and introduced some bi-sonorics all with fabulous results ( and completely reversible ). I've experimented with flipping the box end for end ( which works surprisingly well ) for a different effect....😊 -
Tutor for the Wicki/Hayden Book 2 By William Waker
wunks replied to Steve Morrison's topic in General Concertina Discussion
As a Jeffries duet player I would say no. Beyond their chromatic and split handed nature ( if you chose to play that way ) the note arrangements ( and thus the fingerings ) are very different. The concept of a duet is easy to ken but the specific systems...not so much. -
As to the learning/practicing aspect, I have a minimalist approach to music theory. I play by ear and at 75 my noggin is so full of various musics that I intuitively recognize different scales and patterns. Just give me a key and a do re mi and I'm on my way...😄
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I spoke to Bob recently. He intends to be relocated to Ashville by the end of this month.
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The Jeffries duet is like that. I find myself changing fingerings a lot, often without thinking, to suit my mood or the particular flavor of a tune. The shared notes in the overlap zone offer many possibilities. Any note in the zone can be played 8 different ways using only the first two fingers on either hand.
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I've always found it more enjoyable ( and easier! ) to emulate than imitate....😊
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And when you acquire a C/G you will already know how to play it....😊
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I don't know where you're located but I just noticed on facebook mkt. place Rome NY USA, a new looking Scholler with Instruction book for $100....😊