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Perry Werner

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Posts posted by Perry Werner

    Concertina Sighting In Motion Picture

    in General Concertina Discussion

    Posted

    Howdy:

    Just yesterday I had the "pleasure" of watching the 1967 film

    "Way Out West" starring Kirk Douglas, Robert Mitchum, Sally Field, Richard Widmark, etc.

    The film takes place in apprx. 1842

    About 2/3 through the film 2 1/2 film the folks are celebrating while taking break from the misery of settling the old west.

    Among the crowd of extras is an old codger playing one of those el cheap German(?) Anglo(?) instruments that are no doubt most often referred to as a concertina.

    Usually very tacky looking with a red bellows and poorly constructed.

    In this scene the actual melody is played by a harmonica rather trying to masquerade as a concertina.

    So, are these instruments correctly labeled as concertinas of do they another name.

     

    Link below for the film in case you happen to have an extra few hours to kill.

     

    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062479/

     

    Have fun,

    Perry Werner

    Music Manuscript Book

    in General Concertina Discussion

    Posted

    The Moleskins are really nice. The only problem is is that the spaces on the staves are almost too small to write manuscript on.

    By the way, they are available in 2 sizes.

    Vest pocket and the other is like a small notebook.

    I am in the U.S. and have found them at Barnes and Noble or better yet order them from Amazon.

    Reels and Hornpipes

    in Tunes /Songs

    Posted · Edited by Perry Werner

    Hi Perry, Sometimes it is the form of the tune that gives a hint to what it might be. I have noticed that in many hornpipes the last part of the "B" section of the tune is a mimic of the "A" section. Does your new tune do this? Doug

     

    Hey Doug:

    Are you saying that this happens (in your experience) more frequently with hornpipes or have you noticed it in reels and other forms also if I read you right? I'm guessing that the answer is yes since many most? all?) of these tunes, as they are transferred from ear to ear and from sheet to sheet can differ. That seems like something I have never considered and might be something to be on the lookout for. And yes, the new tune does this!

    Can you name an example or two?

     

    Perry

    Reels and Hornpipes

    in Tunes /Songs

    Posted

    Howdy:

    Both excellent and intelligent responses tallship and Steve.

    Al lot of what you suggest I have figured out.

    I guess I've been wondering what was intended when these tunes first came on the scene but then again I have to remember that these are traditional tunes which were passed from ear to ear and most probably not notated for many years in order to give us a "written" record of them or to simply really confuse us.

    The problem for me has been that I sit down to learn a new tune, play the heck out of it for maybe weeks and there I am having a good time when I suddenly ask myself "am I playing this correctly". Probably not a great way to proceed. I have to learn to just gently say to myself "OK, now I have the tune under my fingers somewhat, what else can I do with this"?

    Anyway, a lot of self talk goes on during the learning process which I find nothing wrong with.

    I just want to understand which direction to head in and what others might be thinking about a particular tune.

    The bonus is that many of these can be played several ways and they will be "correct". Kinda like getting 2 (or 3 or more) for the price of one. Not a bad deal!

    Best,

    Perry

    Reels and Hornpipes

    in Tunes /Songs

    Posted

    Howdy:

    I'm guessing that this topic has been discussed many times before but I cannot seem to locate the previous threads (if they were indeed here) about my following query.

     

    Earlier this week I started to work on a fiddle tune I found.

    I played it for several days as a reel not thinking that it could be any other form.

    Then I noticed a footnote that indicated the rhythm for the same tune written to be played like a hornpipe.

    Seems that it was just suggesting that you might want to play it that way also.

    I've run into this situation many times when I'm not sure if I should play a tune as one or the other. I'm guessing that this is also quite common for others.

     

    So, the question is, what kinda tune is it.

    If it says "hornpipe" or "reel" (or some other form) in the title I'm reassured. It's when there is no indication of how to play it. again "correctly". I do realize that in the end I can play it any darn way I wish to.

    I realize that many hornpipes sound great as reels and vice-versa but I'm curious to know what the consensus is on how to play the tunes "correctly".

    Thanks,

    Perry

    Visiting NYC and Allentown, PA - Sessions/Shops to Visit?

    in General Concertina Discussion

    Posted

    Hi Nels:

     

    Welcome to the great Northeast.

    There is a shop in lower Manhattan called "The Main Squeeze"

    They are mostly into accordions but I have seen some concertina related things there in the 2 or 3 visits i Have made there.

    I do have one of their T-shirts!!!!!

    Also, if you get up to Massachusetts you have to visit with the fine folks at The Button Box. Free Reed heaven in this part of the world. I woul call before making the trek though. It's about 2 1/2 hours by auto from NYC.

    There are other sessions in the vicinity.

    One wonderful one on sunday afternoon in Maplewood, New Jersey on Sunday's from 2pm-5pm.

    About a 45 minute train ride or drive from NYC.

    It's at a wonderful pub known as St. James Gate. You might also call to make sure that it will be happening on the Sunday you wish to attend. A very welcoming group of wonderful musicians. I have'nt been for a while due to to other commitments but I plan on returning soon.

    Hope you have a great visit.

    A Few of My Favorite Things

    in General Concertina Discussion

    Posted

    I was going to comment that it'd be even better without the sax player since concertina and cats are regular features at my house. Then on reflection I started thinking that sax and concertina might be an interesting combination, so nothing to change here after all. I like this a lot, and I'd be pleased to have access to a physical copy of it too.

     

    Bruce:

    Good luck in getting it down from the wall.

    The relief is attached (probably bolted) to the marble (?) wall where thousands of people pass each hour and which is the main entrance to Radio City Music Hall, one of New York City's landmarks.

    Maybe next time I'm down there I can speak to someone and convince them to mass produce mini versions for nuts like us.

    Parliament in Ottawa, Ontario sells mini versions of the gargoyle concertina player which is attached to the outside of the building and which you really have to look at to make out that it is holding a concertina. I have one from when I went up there (a beautiful city, by the way!). Photo hopefully attached below, hopefully. I'm guessing that you can contact their souvenir shop and possibly order one but I'm not sure if they will ship.

    I'm pretty sure this has been discussed previously.

     

    Perry

    post-168-0-08231400-1344351568_thumb.jpg

    Must See Concertina Related Movie!

    in General Concertina Discussion

    Posted

    David:

    Though it might be a somewhat so-so grade B flick, I do think that it is a major work in the concertina related cinematic oeuvre.

    What other films that you know of feature the concertina, especially with such loving dubbed in playing and featuring at least one person playing more than one system.

    You have to see the whole thing as the best part of the film is the last line which I won't give away here.

    The other thing I enjoyed about the film was seeing Fre MacMurray working together with William Frawley which they would later do on the series "My Three Sons" which at the time it was on the air was the second longest running TV in history behind "Ozzie and Harriet"!

    WOW, I just realized that on "My Three Sons" Steve, who was played by Fred MacMurray played the saxophone, my other instrument. Amazing!!!! He was shown many times playing though I can not find any information which indicates that he played the show's theme song which was played on also saxophone.

    Seriously though, I found the film to be a lot of fun to watch.

    Have fun,

    Perry

    Must See Concertina Related Movie!

    in General Concertina Discussion

    Posted

    Howdy:

    I finally got around to watching the movie

    "The Princess Comes Across"

    starring Fred MacMurray, Carol Lombard, William Frawley and etc.,

    last evening on a local PBS station.

    A definite must see for any concertina player.

    You'll roar, you'll cry, you'll laugh your sides off because of all of the concertina related material included.

    The film will be appreciated by this group right up to the last line in the film.

    Well worth a 75 minute inspiring investment of your precious time.

    A major work on the long list of major motion pictures which feature our lovely instrument.

    Seriously though folks.

    I really enjoyed this silly film, but it is concertina loaded and definitely worth a watch.

    For those of you with a keen ear and eye, watch for the inconsistencies related to the music and instruments.

    There are multiple copies of the VHS available on Amazon.com for pennies and they are worth every one of them.

    Dosen't appear that this has been released on DVD, but who cares?

    Have fun,

    Perry Werner

    A Visit to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City

    in Concertina History

    Posted

    "Thanks Ken. Understood.

    Too bad, i thought these pix would be of great interest to the group.

    Let me know if you ever get to Joisy.

    Best,

    Perry "

     

     

     

     

     

    Perry, BTW, nice cow and sheep....also, you are not really from New Jersey, are you???? The reason I ask is that I would find it very odd for any self respecting NJ person to say "Joisy", that is a Brooklyn thing that most New Jersey folks find offensive...though, in parts of Bergen county(where you live), Hudson county, and to a lesser degree, Down Neck Newark, there are people with New York pronunciations, but "joisy" is not one of them; that is from old WWII movies, where Brooklyn guys are talking to NJ men before battle. No-one from NJ would ever use that pronunciation, there is enough stupid stuff on the internet and TV that is contributing to the defiling of the Garden State, please don't help it along, thanks,

    A New Jerseyan for 54 years,

    Don

     

    Hi Don:

    Thanks for the advice but I am originally from Brooklyn!!!!!!!!!!

     

    Best,

    Perry

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