SimonThoumire

Hi folks, Myself and Dave Milligan have released a new album called Portraits. It's an album of self-composed material that we started in lockdown. We wrote 11 tunes about people we know and love and I'm very happy with it. It's not our usual release with lots of reels etc - more ballads which is an album that I've always want to bring out. You can find out about it here https://simonthoumire.ffm.to/findoutmore We recorded this track at the weekend live at Hatton Castle near Dundee (Scotland). You can watch it on YouTube here as it won't let me paste link.

This is funny! The answer is always practice however it isn't easy. I started when I was 12 and I'm now 52 so a few years in between. The most important thing in my mind is just to enjoy playing and practice when you can. Never be scared to try anything - no one is going to die because you played a wrong note! Playing music is about enrichment of the soul, not about virtuosity so just do it.

Hi folks, I performed a new concertina piece last week. It was called Two Interwining Scots Riddles and was written by a great young concertina player Neil Sutcliffe. It wasn't an easy piece of music but Neil definitely understood the concertina when he was writing it. A lot of it was based on playing notes on the outside columns of button which made in 6 flats! You can listen below.

Hi folks, I made this video last night to celebrate #StRochsPlayATuneDay for a great teaching organisation in Scotland. It’s a jig, reel and some fancy effects! Here it is

Hi folks, I've made a new album! First one since 2013. Where does the time go... It's called Pie in the Sky and I think it is a slightly differently album from my usual albums. We made it over it lockdown and it consists of some Scandic folk and some popular songs from the 19th century (without singing...) and some really old 18th century music. Working with pianist David McGuinness has been really interesting. David has been involved with historical Scottish music for the last 30 years with Concerto Caledonia, while also pursuing many other musical avenues and collaborations, playing as many obscure keyboard instruments as possible, and composing and producing for television and radio. (I love a bit of copy and paste...) Anyway check it out. You can hear it all here. I think the cover is good too! https://concertocaledonia.bandcamp.com/album/pie-in-the-sky

Here's a wee video I made yesterday with fab guitar player Kevin MacKenzie. It's a Miles Davis tune called Sippin' at Bells. If you want to try it here is the sheet music. I've never been very confident at taking a jazz solo but I go for it here with my eyes shut!! This video is an edit of my latest vlog where me and Kev reminisce about the good old days. Watch the whole thing here.

Thanks Stephen. I’m playing a metal ended Wheatstone Aeola.

Hi Guys, I won’t swamp you with my videos but here is another one where I looked at classical music played as folk music. Is a Beethoven's 5th A Slide?

What a great time we had in Poznań and yes lots of vodka…

Hi guys, Here is a solo rendition of James Scott Skinner's hornpipe on the English Concertina.

Great version Christian!

Hello everyone, I’m going to start offering Skype lessons for English concertina. If anyone is interested you can find out more at this link below. Although this is not an altruistic adventure we do need many more English concertina players so feel free to get in touch with any questions. http://simonthoumire.com/skype-lessons/

Thanks Jody. I suppose it can be anything you want :-) When I’m doing my ‘vibrato’ there are lots of things at play especially volume increase and decrease. Nice to see you in Swaledale.

Hi all, I’ve made a wee video on playing vibrato on the concertina. It makes a big difference to your performance.

Here are a couple of great Scottish marches - The Balkan Hills by Corporal J. Gillan and The Atholl and Breadalbane Gathering by Wm Ferguson - played by myself and Innes Watson!