PeterT

I agree with Jim. To a large extent, your ears will tell you where the fingers should go (assuming that you play "by ear"). On the Anglo, I don't know which notes I have on half of the buttons, but can remember the sound that I get by hitting the appropriate button, assuming that it is one which I use regularly. Regards, Peter.

Hi Jim, How long did it take to restore the piano afterwards? Regards, Peter.

So, who was playing at the time?

What a great name for a group! As to why people play music, well it's a challenge (for most of us) to learn to play an instrument, and once you reach a certain level of proficiency, it becomes fun. You can then (1) be let loose on the outside world, and (2) play music with other people (often 2 occurs before 1). To an extent, the more skillful you become, the more fun you have. I remember when I started singing, in public, back in 1979. My initial ambitions were very modest. After two or three "floor spot" performances at Folk Clubs, I realised that I had achieved these ambitions, and had to re-assess where I wanted to go next. It was a similar thing when I started playing concertina in 1981. The first big hurdle to overcome is either convincing yourself that you are good enough, or having sufficient confidence, to perform in public. Many people are good enough, but lack the confidence. This is a shame, since they then miss out on the fun element of public performance. I have told many people, over the years, that the best thing I ever did was to buy my trusty Wheatstone 36 key C/G back in 1982. I've never had any regrets (even if neighbours have, on occasions). Regards, Peter.

Hi Dick, Well, I can't give out programme details, but it did seem the obvious tune. UK "viewers" will have to wait and see. Regards, Peter. PS - I had my first race of the season on Saturday, after my annual spring virus/lack of training . I finished (well, it was only 10 miles), but everything hurts today! First event is always the worst, as the body tends to forget just how hard it is, after an 8 month break.

Well, you learn something new every day (see also attached link): http://www.yorkshire-ridings.org.uk/yorkshireday.htm It's not made it as far as rural Surrey, yet, but if my Greek and African neighbours move out, and are replaced by natives of Yorkshire, we might have a "knees-up" on 1st August. I checked Google for "Surrey Day", but we do not appear to have declared UDI yet! Regards, Peter.

This reminds me of my formative years at Grammar School. I think that I knew as little about music as most of the class, but one day the music teacher hit a random note on the piano, and, pointing at me, said "Which note is that?". An involuntary response of "C, Sir." came out of my mouth. I presume that this was the correct answer, as the music teacher did not say anything else. To this day I do not know how I came out with the answer, as I knew nothing about musical theory. Another of life's great mysteries. 39 years on, I still know virtually nothing about music, but it doesn't stop me playing; I guess that ignorance prevents you from worrying too much about your limitations, and, indeed, might even help your development/experimentation without considering what is "right", or "wrong".

Back in the early 90's, Steve Knightly and Phil Beer were joined by Dave Townsend (English Concertina) and other musicians in a band called "Alianza". They produced a great album by the same name; probably no longer available as it is not currently listed by the distributor, but see the attached link: http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:GK5CYO...uk&ct=clnk&cd=2

Quite right too! Pippa plays differently from any other Anglo player that I've heard; wouldn't life be boring if we all played the same way. I think that there is an onus on workshop teachers to say "this is what can be done on an Anglo" (or other system), rather than "this is how you must play it". Obviously, this approach has to be modified if you intent to perform as a group. I don't know how many musicians I've listened to over the years, but I still play tunes in my style, which I developed, largely in isolation, to play the music which I either needed, or wanted, to play. Regards, Peter.

Unlike some sports, it's cheaper to watch than participate.

Let's hope that they let you in, and not insist that you remain in the car park! Regards, Peter.

Yes, speedy recovery. Regards, Peter.

Hi Richard, Well, I think that it really depends on the nature of the session. The local monthly one, which I host, can see us playing in C, D, G, A and a few minor keys. But it really depends on the mix of instruments present. Our regular melodeon player sometimes brings a C/F box in addition to G/D, so I'll let him know which box he needs before I start a tune. Another couple of melodeon players arrive late on, after Morris practice; they play G/D boxes, so they are the keys which we use at the end of the evening. I play a 36 key C/G, and some tunes we play in C, with a fellow musician playing MacCann Duet. However, this tends to be done earlier in the evening when there are relatively few musicians, and it is more of a "tunearound" than "session". If I went to an English session elsewhere, I would expect most tunes to be in G, D, or G/D, D/A. On a C/G box, this makes some of the fingering a bit more "interesting" (or challenging, depending on your view-point). The style of play is not Irish-style, but does go across the three rows to pick up the occasional C# and G#. The C/G box might not sound at it's best in this environment, but hey it's a "session", not a "concert", so it doesn't really matter. The good news is that you will generally be playing an octave higher than G/D Melodeon or Anglo players, so the sound does cut through. Note; you may have to juggle parts of the melody up or down an octave compared to any written source, if you want to keep most of the melody on the right hand. My advice is always to go for a C/G, as it will stretch your playing for English-style tunes, and is the favoured system for most Irish musicians. 30 keys should be adequate, but 36 (Wheatstone/Lachenal) or 38/39 (Jeffries) give more options for repeated notes. I have not had a G/D for almost 20 years, but do enjoy playing B'/F (see my tongue-in-cheek posting on 1st April). Regards, Peter.

This buyer has been successful in bidding for several "quality" Anglos, which, in my opinion, would have needed a great deal of money spent to restore them to top condition. I'm not certain of the buyer's identity, so will not speculate. I did, however, look at c.net names, a few weeks ago, without finding a likely match. Regards, Peter.

Go with m3838's suggestion, then you'll be fully clothed! Regards, Peter.

I'll keep fingers crossed that you do not suffer any after-effects. I know, from experience, that a part of the anatomy which hasn't been broken can still cause discomfort for many weeks. I'll pass on some wise words which were given to me many years ago: "Take more water with it!" Speedy recovery, Peter.

We know that you're always ahead of the game, Jim! Nice to hear some friends on the programme, and worth listening to. Regards, Peter.

Thanks, Chris. 22.00 until midnight.

Today's update: Well, for reasons of programme confidentiality (I like that!), I can't give out programme details. I can say, however, that we had a really enjoyable, if long, day, and that I will be seen playing the concertina whilst on my bike. Fortunately, I was not riding at the time! Our next filming will be at auction, on 1st July. As soon as I have a confirmed tranmission date, I'll post it here. Regards, Peter.

Hi Jon, I agree with your comments. I haven't forgotten you; I've just "come up for air" in the last few weeks, getting back out on the bike, and preparing for today's filming of BBC's "Bargain Hunt" (see separate posting). I've got a few more tapes to run through, before I tackle the "difficult" 1991 ICA Festival tapes. Then my archive will be ready for handing over to the ICA. Regards, Peter.

Yes, we had a lot of laughs when this was sold . Why would anyone want to buy it, in "slightly used" condition? By the way, Tower Bridge is still not for sale! Regards, Peter.

Well done Chris. I can now get on with the rest of my life (at least until someone starts another game). Thank goodness that it was only a demonstration game, and not "for real"! Peter.

I think that Samantha might have something to say about rule 1.8 Regards, Peter. PS for Chris T. - you'll be fine when Broadband makes it to BoA.

I've just been doing some web research; the attached link may be of use: http://www.mornington-crescent-rule.fsnet....on-crescent.htm

Oh ****! I was too busy concentrating on defensive play to see that!