Constant Screamer

Duh! Sorry forgot some critical info. 1. Nope...not double reeded 2. G/D 3. My dog still hates it. Even if I could pull it wide open...with it's 12 folds, I need the wing span of a pterodactyl!

Mystery box turns out to be a "Made In Italy" (hmmmmmm) 12 fold / 20 key Anglo with red faux mother of pearl ends, and plastic imitation ivory buttons (2 missing, several are loose fitting). The tone isn't half bad, IF you can manage the push & pull. I can best describe it as like pulling taffy...which is probably easier. My Aussie Terrier, who sometimes will join in with my English, went wild!!! Howling like a wild Dingo the moment I sent air across the reeds. I mean he HATES this thing!!! So as a test I got my English out along with the Anglo...not a peep out of him with the English and instant howling again with the Anglo. I did the right thing and thanked my friend as though they gave me the golden ticket to Wonka's factory....I just hope they never ask to hear me play it.

David...if it IS a radio at least I'll be able to play it! I'm hoping she brings it by tonight.... I will most certainly post the findings....good, bad, ugly.

My friend only knows that a "concertina" goes "in and out". I've tried to explain the "Anglo" "English" workings, but I don't think she's fluent enough to explain what she found. She said it was in "a nice box" and looks to be in perfect conditon, although she didn't "press all of the buttons." Hey, I figure whatever this is....it's FREE and if it's playable...should be a bit of fun! Other guesses are most welcome!!!

I bumped in to a friend of mine on Sunday who said "I'll be coming by your house this week because I found a concertina in my house...it was left by this guy who skipped town, since you play, you can have it" She described it as "red, with white buttons and it seems to play a chord on each button." So friends....what on earth is this thing???

I also believe that multi-instrument playing helps in countless ways...from helping with finger position and movement to opening up your mind to improv and understanding different styles of music.

Thanks for this bit of Eng C. history. Back, oh, 25 years ago when I got my first Wheatstone, it had only 5 folds. Whenever I saw a visiting artist playing English, they always had 6 folds. My Wheatstone, which I sold about 5 years ago, was built around 1915-16, so I guess that explains the 5 folds?

Just throwing in my full agreement with the idea of keeping the box handy. Sometimes magic happens in those quick "grab and play" moments. It'll build confidence and keep that piece of your mind that's a concertina player active.

I'll try to record my vocal accompanist this weekend...then sit back and reap the massive amounts of money to be made via Youtube. Meanwhile, here's Mr Sydney

My Aussie Terrier Mr. Sydney could always be counted on to sing the blues when I play my blues harp, but he's never given my concertina a second thought....until last night. As I launched in to "Off She Goes" my newest favorite tune, he howled, talked, barked, and more times than I can count, slide in to perfect pitch along with the tune. He became so loud I could hardly hear the concertina! I can't be alone in this! Perhaps we can do some busking with this act!

Not to get all heavy and deep about it...but isn't it incredible how one simple connection can bring people of different cultures together? If all the world could just.....oh forget all this mushy crap...let's play some music!!!

my biggest problem is the splint on the finger....it's so large it makes shifting finger position a real challenge, but at least I'm able to play...not great...but I'm playing!

Johanna....off I go to work up Oyster Girl! Thanks for the suggestion.

So Sorry to hear this. Playing music daily has been part of my life for over 30 years...I dread the day it becomes impossible.....but as so many friends have told me, "you'll heal and be back at it in due course." Hang in there!

A few weeks ago I broke the little finger of my left hand. It now wears a large splint which prevents me from playing my fiddle and banjo. As bummed as I am about that, this accident has afforded me the opportunity to spend some quality time with my English, sadly played very little for several months. I am ecstatic! Every day I've been revisiting old favs and just learned "Off She Goes" (whhich I fell in love with) plus, a few Morris tunes from Mr. Kirkpatrick. I fall asleep and wake up with tunes just rolling around in my head and can hardly wait to play. What started out as frustration has turned to pure joy. Thanks for listening!

I actually found your video before your note...I've watched it about 15 times....awesome playing on that one row! I feel quite lucky to have found it...now it's just learning that unique B part. Regards James

Thank you thank you! It's such a wonderful little tune but it's been haunting me for several days! So sorry, I was so taken with the tune...you might be able to get a quick glimpse on the You Tube video.

Thank you thank you! It's such a wonderful little tune but it's been haunting me for several days!

Not sure if I did this correctly...but if it works...go to the 8:20 mark and you'll hear the tune in question. You can also go to Youtube and select Lark Rise To Candleford Episode 9/4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPvTPj71GUU

I recently discovered "Lark Rise"...now I'm on the hunt for the name of a tune played in Episode 9 of season 1. The tune is played on a melodeon & non-audible fiddle during an impromtu dance outside. Ring any bells?

I am here to confess that "other" instruments have kept me away from my beloved Eng concertina for far too long, so long in fact that I have no idea where to begin to get back in the groove. When I played more ofter, it was Morris and tunes taken from John Kirkpatrick via Brass Monkey, plus some Irish tunes I picked up along the way. Any and all suggestions on "newer" CDs? Oh, I must add, that I'm rusty as an old tin can, so "easier" tune suggestions would be even MORE welcome. Glad to be back!

I must be the most UN-hip person in the world for not knowing this. To add to my shame, it should have been as plain as the eye patch on my face. I write and voice radio commercials for a living and just this week I had to voice a commercial as....wait for it...A PIRATE! Now, maybe I'm giving the client more credit than is due...but doesn't this make you go "hmmm"? YES I had to say "Aarrrr" (or however that's spelled) a couple of times! I even ad-libbed a "matey"....but that's why I get the big bucks! Cheers! James

At this very moment I'm locked in a loop of "John Ryan's Polka". I can't seem to stop it! One I constantly go back to is that beautiful fiddle tune...Baker's Waltz....written by the former fiddler for The Mammals. Oh, and Tip Top Hornpipe, and of course there's "Jenny Lind Polka" and.... Right now my fiddle and banjo are VERY angry with me because for the last 4 days it's been my EC all the time!

Okay...so I'm dense! What does the * mean when it shows up on someones quote? Whatever it does....I clicked on it while previewing my post and my post vanished. James

I was SO glad to see Peter and Dick's replies. In addition to Eng concertina...I also play bluegrass banjo and "Old Time" (god I hate that term) fiddle. Every once in awhile, especially in OT fiddle music, you run in to these folks who can't help pointing out "you're not playing that tune right." Of course, if the melody doesn't even SOUND like the tune...they're justified...but variation on a tune is as old as the tune itself. So, what IS right? It's a comfort to this Yank who plays to know that our friends across the sea aren't so very hung up on all of us sounding exactly like the next guy.