Gregor Markič

When something tackles my attention I cant resist translating it into my language and possibly butchering it with my singing & playing. I played&sang this piece horribly yet I regret nothing. It was fun! Pardon my french pronunciation, it's all greek to me! Kathryn attired my attention with her glorious rendition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkUyqPeDFjE Soon I found the origin of the lyrics: Hot Chocolate - You sexy thing 1975 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIN36NweL6I And this is the translation in slovene:

Slovene church song. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DWkqv5sqvWY9yVGQ5rSZxIYH4aTiA8NOYBNjqQyYSDw/edit?usp=sharing

Thank you, Mandojoe for your flattering words. The truth is that this last recording of mine is pretty bad, but I don't mind. I struggle with Chemnitzer button layout. I will post another recording of the same piece in next days- played on a regular wheatstone concertina, which is much easier. Bach is a the true and one god of music. Simply divine.

Chemnitzer Concertina

I'm selling one on this link.

In words of the Terminator: I'll be Bach.

It's far from perfect, but hey, at least I gave it a try 🙂

Still available... 😀. It's a lovely player.

My pyramid is way smaller, but it gives me so much satisfaction 🙂

Beautiful!

Thank you. There are not many like this in circulation?

Thank you Kathryn, you are an inspiration.

Beautiful. Thank you.

Is this right? https://photos.app.goo.gl/1KRBo2878Wj7RWaM8

Thanks. Is this what you mean? https://photos.app.goo.gl/3EN8kPEt5qBBSdXX6

It's a beginning...

Summary: Edward Jay's concertina is the best I ever played. And I played many. I don't remember exactly how long, I would guess at least a year before he rolled out his first 3d printed concertina, I admired Edward's work. I ordered a GD concertina from him in 2021 and then I changed my mind, because tall expenses after Brexit for imports from GB in my country have become terribly high- 1/3 of the value of the purchase. I must have disappointed him by cancelling my order but luckily Edward found another buyer for that concertina. Then in 2022 Ed reached me again and I gathered up courage and ordered again the same instrument and with help of my friend who travelled to UK the Jay concertina came into my hands and it was love at first touch. I may not be a virtuoso in playing, but I have tried many instruments and I believe my evaluation of a concertina is a reliable one. I played one of the finest exemplaries- eg Eiru edition by Sean Garvey (Irish Concertina Company)., Stephan le Lan's exquisite Melodina, and Seth Hamon's fine concertina- among others. The keys are thick and flat. I like them this way a lot. I like playing thinner buttons as well-. like the buttons on McNeela's Tina. The one thing I really dislike about the otherwise excellent Clare concertina from Irish concertina company is that the buttons are slippery. The spaces between the buttons are perfect and the responsiveness of the buttons is optimal. Even when the smallest pressure is exerted on a button, the sound plays. This is crucial for trills and other musical ornamentations. The capacity of the bellows is impressive. Playing soft or loud doesn't have much impact on the quality of sound and soft playing is just captivating. I do not want to spend many words on the sound of the Edward's concertina other than that I love the sound a lot. I should limit myself to reviewing the playability and responsiveness of the keyboard. In this regard Jay's concertina excels above all others. I bought a GD-pitched concertina from Edward. I find this tuning more suitable as an accompaniment to singing. I simply can't judge the sound since I only have one instrument to compare with. It is so that the lower the pitch of an instrument is the less consent will be achieved among listeners on the quality of the sound. Low tones are usually accompanied with some buzzing resonance and a richer coloration of the tone. Tuning is more difficult and even differences of temperature have an influence on the pitch and sound. The sound of a concertina depends a lot on the wood it is made from and on the ending of the concertina (metal/wood). A 3D printed concertina is of course made of plastic and this material is usually not highly appreciated in musical instruments building. I must say I am no big gourmet in sound quality. My persuasion is that the music resides within the soul and heart and not within the air and ear. It is still very important that a musician has a good instrument. In my five years of playing concertinas I can say that good instruments taught me a lot. At the beginning my teachers were of course bad instruments, but I learned a lot and now I need the best I can get. In other words: Jay's tina. I will post a recording, I only have to muster some courage to do so.

Dear concertina players comunity! After only two years I am selling this lovely Melodina. Reason: purchase of Edward Jay's concertina also tuned to G/D. These instruments need to be played and I am very sorry, I can't just store in my small appartment so many of them. This one deserved to be played regularly and I will not be able to offer it a proper treatment. I bught it for 1200€, I had one reed replaced and it never left my home, I looked after her like a loving father. I'm selling it bellow the real value- for mere 1000€. It's an eye catcher and an excellent player!!! I highly recommend it, it's suitable even for an advanced player. It is responsive, the sound is a little peculiar yet beautiful and pleasant.

Gosh, that would be a gift from gods! I'm already practicing only with screenshot. It's a start. This tune is a blast for my musical taste.

I like this tune a looot. Has anyone got the music sheet or tablature for it? Can't figure out the left hand. Thanx in advance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=cZ1C6c3fZKk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUN4idKQH8M

Thanks Michael, you're doing a great work.

It all began a year or so ago. I bought one of those pitiable DDR concertina for 90 euro. The bellows were kaputt. They were litteraly glued together. I tore it apart and the fiber in all corners which should be air tight was reduced to a leaky cloth. Black scales were falling away. I sprayed the corners with a sealing asphalt spray. It helped a little, but in whole the instrument was unplayable. The reeds are in excellent condition though. It seems it was never played. Now, for the last three years I attended an origami workshop and it always seemed to me that bellows could be done in origami techique. Origamists were invited to help planning solar pannels for the space probes, architects use origami, so why not bellows? Last nighti came across this video: https://youtu.be/ldmCQayLieI?si=re5ReLLLurah_taN I rolled up my sleeves and with modicum tools that I own I managed to do it in only one day! I began with smaller models (the yellow little in the photo bellow), measured, and adjusted the proportions etc. Tools: jigsaw, hotglue pistol, scroll saw Materials: wood plank, cardboard folder, thick black cardboard, black strong adhesive tape Skills: next to nil The result is ugly. Of course it is leaky, it's made of thick cardboard which upon few foldings rips- and with not much care. Only leather can remain flexible and airtight after milions of foldings. Guys, I believe I will restore this concertina 100% to its former glory. (In words we-know-who: MAGA- MakeAccordionGreatAgain)!