cnrobinson

Good to see a bit of civilisation has entered an otherwise Norf Lundun game. Old Kent Road? Lordship Lane? why, thats enough to Turnham Green! Chris

But on a more serious note - what sort of concertina is it? Anglo, English, Wheatstone, Lachenal? The Great British Public is entitled to know! Chris

One curious thing that I have found over the years is that my concertina sounds wrong if I play with another instrument that is out of tune! I have checked it on many occasions with electronic tuners and tuning forks and it is spot on, yet if I play with a fiddle or flute (both tunable) that are slightly sharp or flat it is always my 'tina that sounds out of tune, not them. How do you explain that? Chris

I just entered it in Google (the new verb 'to google') and it came up with quite a few entries including tadpoles (sory, notes) and a list of recordings at www.thesession.org. Might not be the same tune, but suck it and see! Chris

I've said it before and I'll say it again: it's the player not the instrument! Chris

Not specifically. I guess that first you have to be able to play the thing! It does cover playing in two parts and chords - both of which you need to get going. Song accompaniment is quite a subjective thing - a friend of mine objects to my making them 'too fancy' as he considers that this detracts from his singing! But once you have a grasp of the possibilities that the EC offers (or indeed the Anglo for that matter) you can make your own judgements. Chris

'I used to work in a library and it was amazing the number of Americans we'd get in looking for their 'English/Yorkshire roots' unfortunately scince Finlklestein ,Shultz et al are not really usual names around here we had to point them several hundred miles east onto the European mainland' My first job on leaving school was working in a shop selling kilts and all things tartan (in London). We used to get the same people asking which clan they belonged to. We would look it up in a large book, declare them to be a sept (branch) of the Campbells (largest lowland clan with lots of septs) and try to sell them a full dress kilt (very expensive). It worked sometimes too! Chris

There was a fine Ulster piper called Tommy Gunn who had a son called Bren. Really. Chris

Welcome to the forum! My personal favourite tutor for the EC is 'Conquering the Concertina' by Les Branchett published by Sherborne House Publications. There are others, but I like the way this one runs through scales and chords. Chris

I ma sure they were on one of the programes on BBC4 a few months back. Where abouts in Croydon is this free gig? Chris

I have never come across an Italian concertina player, but have known several from Oz. Could this have a bearing on the matter? Scarborough is a bit out of my way, but I am sure that there are some forum members fom the frozen north who could meet you and exchange notes (as it were). Chris

I have played in several local primary schools where friends teach or offspring were pupils. They always loved it! The EC always attracted most attention! I know I have said this before but why don't people say where they are from? Trilby, you are obviously in the UK, but where? There are probably EC players in the vicinity who can advise on chords etc. As it happens I do play the concertina whilst watching the footy. What a diabolical dive by the Italian to knock out the Socceroos! Chris

'My cats often bring rodents home,' Sorry to be a boring Biologist pedant, but shrews are insectivores not rodents (like voles, mice and rats). Chris

These don't have volume numbers but are as follows: Ostergotland 1&2 (1936) Vastmanland (1933) Smaland, Oland och Blekinge (1935) Uppland (1934) Skane vols. 1 - 4 (1934 -1940) Varmland (1930) Dalsland (1931) Sodermanland (1934) Narke (1933) Halsinglar och Gastrikland (1929) Bohuland och Halland (1931) Vastergotland (1932) They are all in good condition, though a few have water staining on the covers. Superb photos inside of old swedish fiddlers! Chris

I don't find it odd. Do you have the originals? I have the 1978 paperback reprints, but I'm missing volumes 1 and 18 of the full set of 24. These are originals. Chris

This may seem slightly odd but............. I have 11 volumes of 'Svenska Latar' folk music books published in Stockholmin the 1930s. All in excellent condition, arranged by region, that I am looking to sell. They are full of polkas etc, divided by region then by musician. Collectively they are quite an archive of swedish folk music. Bearing in mind the cost of shipping is anyone interested in making me an offer? Chris

I once booked Ticklers Folk Circus (the folk club version of Ticklers Jam) and very good they were too! My all time favourite rock bands were 'Half man, half biscuit' (amazing - 'Trumpton Riots' & 'All I want for Christmas is a Dukla Prague away kit' the best Subbuteo song ever) and the Brighton band 'Christians in search of filth'. Not a 'tina in sight though. One of my bands was called 'Naff McGaff', and another (the dance band version) 'Two Left Feet' ('Dances for the physically dyslexic'). Chris

A mate of mine left his accordian on the front seat of his car the other day. When he came back he was horrified to see the front window was smashed. When he looked inside his worst fears were realised - there was a second accordian next to the first. Chris

It always used to be said that the deffinition of a gentleman was someone who COULD play the piano accordian, but didn't! Chris

I always understood that 'gyp' (or 'gip') was an abreviation of 'gypsie'. Indeed some sides use this term, as opposed to the shortened version! Chris

"Taking advantage of the fact that it is now Easter Monday, I can, according to William Hayward-Smith's variation*, go straight to Cockfosters, can I not?" Already been there! Chris

Or, come to think of it, Edgeware, (what you get on your bellows!) Chris

Cockfosters. (Always a useful move when Mincing Lane is out of the question). Chris

You could well be right. I would need to see it again, though it is not a very good film! Chris

I have played in front of audiences, one way and another, for over 20 years now. I much prefer playing with a band than solo. It is microphones that throw me! Sessions, folk clubs, used to do loads of weddings and socials (there is a thriving 'black market', ie tax free, in ceilidhs and barn dances in London and the South East), and even Morris gave me no troubles. BUT someone just has to say those magic words - "I am making a recording and I want you to play on it" - and my fingers go into rigor mortis! I would recommend playing with other musicians - it speeds up the learning process no end! Chris