Roger Digby
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Posts posted by Roger Digby
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For over 30 years, Andrew's grave has had no headstone. Knowing that the circumstances which had obviated one had changed, I stopped in Cheddar last week whilst traveling down to the West Country to watch some cricket.
There is now a headstone. Unfortunately, the monumental mason was unaware of the different concertina systems and an English is depicted! Nevertheless, I'm pleased that the family chose to highlight this aspect of Andrew's short life.
There are now three headstones in England - to my knowledge - which depict a concertina.
Best wishes,
Roger
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I still have a few copies. Drop me an email.
Roger
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I think that's the first Jeffries I've seen with radial reed chambers. I was prompted to look inside my raised-end Jeffries to see if that was the same, but it has the usual parallel chambers.
Presumably it's because it's English system. I've heard that the air bounces differently around radial chambers and gives a softer sound. Any theories?
Best wishes,
Roger
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The Bradfield Traditional Music Weekend takes place this year from 19th-22nd July 2018 and a lively concertina presence is, as usual, expected.
The event is informal and friendly and free. It involves sessions,- music, song and mixed - and presentations. A donation of £10 is invited.
This year, under new management, some changes are being introduced and there is a new Facebook group: BTMW - Bradfield Traditional Music Weekend.
If, like me, you’re not involved in Facebook there is also an email list. Simply send your email address to the administrator, Liz Giddings, liz.mostunexpected@hotmail.com
Camping at Mark’s farm offers the most wonderful views of the Dales and will be enhanced this year with extra toilets and a shower.
Because of additional interest this year it is likely that numbers will be greater. It is even possible that numbers will have to be limited to conserve the unique nature of the event.
If you fully intend to attend the weekend, I urge you to make that clear via the Facebook page so that your place will be guaranteed should it be necessary to declare ‘House Full’.Very best wishes to you all,
Roger
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I think it is appropriate to make known the circumstances surrounding the decision to launch a new online website for academic research and the issues with the ICA that have lead to us proceeding without ICA involvement. I should make it clear at the outset that I have been a life member of the ICA for over 30 years and support its aims; I was also on the editorial board of PICA and its predecessor ‘The Free Reed Journal’.
PICA 10 was the last. The editor, Allan Atlas, who had been tireless and rigorous in his editorial role, was retiring from his academic post and thought that this was the time to stand down. There were other issues as well; it was proving increasingly difficult to find articles (and people willing and able to write them) which satisfied the research standards and methodology which were required by a major university. Annual publication was increasingly difficult. Furthermore, PICA 10 was submitted for publication nearly 2 years before it was finally printed; the online versions were also slow to reach the ICA website.
At the 2014 AGM, I spoke to the tiny gathering about the plans that Allan, Dan and Randy had for an online ‘Son of PICA’ and asked the ICA if they would like this to continue under their imprimatur and on the ICA website. The committee were interested and said they would get back to us with a decision. For a year nothing happened. The draft minutes were not published so the membership was unaware of our plans. Eventually I wrote to the committee asking for an update and received a reply stating that nothing had been done. Months later I wrote again and got a similar reply. By this time it was over three years since PICA 10 was ready for publication and some good articles had been waiting in the wings. It is not fair on those who have worked hard and written a good article to sit on it for any length of time; we had to make a decision and we decided that the ICA had been given more than enough time to express its opinion on whether or not to host us on their site and under their banner. We were asking for no more than that.
Incidentally, Dan did approach Bob Gaskins but his website is currently resting as has been said in an earlier post.
Sorry this has been dry and dusty, but there was clearly interest in this background.Best wishes,
Roger
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That is really sad news. When visiting England, Henk's ferry landed at Harwich and he sometimes visited me as he drove on along the A12. I have one happy memory of sitting with them in the garden on a sunny summer day and playing music together. He was a charming, genuine man and will be greatly missed.
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I thought I'd add a few words about the unseasonable features here in Essex. I have daffodils in bud; usually we hope for one in bloom on St David's Day (my wife is Welsh!) and this seldom happens! Most remarkably there is a bank of primroses in full bloom; this is extraordinary!
I can't think of concertinas and Christmas without recalling Ken Loveless and his spelling of the word with a final double 'ss'. It is, he insisted, Christ's Mass.
The traditional message of Christmas(s) is, of course, Peace and Goodwill and Jim has already mentioned the wonderful friendships and good will which this website displays and creates. Long may it continue.
I add my best wishes this Christmas and I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a peaceful 2016.
Roger
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I had the pleasure of hearing Dympna play in Ennis earlier in the year. As many have said, she was a fine musician and she had the rare gift of being able to play with individuality and imagination without stepping away from the pure traditional style.
The strength and determination with which she faced her illness is encapsulated in the brief personal statement on her last CD 'Enriched'.
'Life can throw strange Events across our paths
Moments wheN all appears lost
When all we've been taught and know falls apaRt
It is but a valuable chance to vIew things differently
A Chance to turn things around
To hear sounds afresh and to sHare them with those who understand
To savour and chErish what is important and deep
In short, it is a time to be enricheD'
Who among us would not wish to face uncertainty with such dignity?
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I have some contact strips of Bampton dancing with Abingdon in ?1965.
I'd be interested to know whether this is Francis Fryer.
Thanks, (and hoping I can sort out how to add the photo!)
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I think I'm right in saying that Scan Tester found his bandoneon in a First WW trench.
Seasons Greetings to everyone on the site.
Roger
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Like Dirge, I met Pete at Brightlingsea in 2011. On arrival he instantly volunteered to help and was as good as his word joining the team of volunteer caterers. He bought a ticket for the following year, but by then was unable to attend.
He was an asset to the concertina community and it's appropriate that that community is respectfully acknowledging his passing.
Dirge. Drop in if you're anywhere near Essex.
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The annual EATMT day of free reed workshops ‘Melodeons and More’ takes place in a couple of weeks (March 23rd) and as usual there’s a strong Concertina input. In addition to the workshops, Mike Acott will be setting up his stall and Geoff Crabb will be there too.
Full details are on the website of the East Anglian Traditional Music Trust, (http://www.eatmt.org.uk/m&m.htm#Melodeons and More 2013) and like all their events this one is always a great success. One particularly nice feature is a very long lunch-break giving opportunities for lots of informal playing. (Real Ale bar too!) Well worth considering if you’re free on that day, but book in advance to make certain of a place.
EATMT is a very fine organisation which promotes annual events as well as one-offs. These range from concerts to lectures, classes to research projects. It’s well worth being on their mailing list and getting the newsletter if this is your interest.
Best wishes,
Roger -
Mike will be at 'Melodeons and More' in March. He currently has a fully restored 38key Bb/F Jeffries (Aldershot Rd) which is very well priced.
Hope this post works! It disappeared as I was writing it!
Best wishes,
Roger
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And Hats Off to Islington Council which I imagine has been responsible for saving the shopfront.
Incidentally, I took custody of a 32 C/G John Crabb yesterday and will have it for 48 hours before I show it to a possible buyer. It is a lovely instrument and genuinely 'unputdownable'. My first opportunity to spend a few hours with a John Crabb - or at least one that bears his own name.
Happy New Year Everyone.
Roger
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Not often I get to use my Greek these days!!
The 'phone' part is Greek meaning 'sound', hence telephone, gramophone, phonograph.......
It is the convention to avoid hybrid coinings so we can assume the 'edeo' is Greek also. ('Television' is an exception, but 'proculvision' doesn't have much of a ring to it!)
'edeos' is the genitive case of the noun 'edos' meaning 'delight, enjoyment, pleasure'. That seems eminently appropriate to me.
Incidentally, Greek has two 'e's, - a short 'e' (epsilon) as in 'wet' and a long 'e' (eta) as in 'email' or 'edict'. The Greek 'edos' begins with a long eta so that indicates a correct pronunciation of 'EEEdeophone'.
I shall now have to vacuum my room to remove all the dust that's fallen from my trusty Greek - English Lexicon!
Quod erat demonstrandum?
Best wishes everyone!
Roger
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Two ticket holders have been in touch to say that they now find themselves unable to attend. They have generously donated their tickets, in one case to 'a young player who otherwise couldn't attend'. Both are full tickets with camping (value £30) and one also includes the three meals (value £42).
We have announced this through our electronic mailing list and have had no response; presumably the regulars have either bought their tickets, decided they can't attend this year, or are honest enough to face the fact that they aren't' young'!
So if you - or someone you know - has been thinking 'I might enjoy ECMW for the first time, but don't know whether I want to invest £30/40 finding out,' this could be for you and you might become a regular!!
Drop me an email if you're interested.I won't ask how old you are!!
Looking forward to seeing the concertina.net regulars in just seven days' time.
Best wishes
Roger
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I've just had a message from Geoff Crabb with the good news that he will be joining us on the Saturday and I know that MIke Hebbert is coming for the whole weekend, so with the MacCann players lining up as well we shall have a fine representation of Duet players.
If you've seen LDT's video compilation on the ecmw website you'll know that there was no shortage of Anglo players last year, and with Alan Day hosting the Saturday 'Hair of the Dog' session, Keith and Sylvie hosting the song session and Dan Worrall giving a talk and a workshop we're heading for another concertina bonanza!
Then add in Mark Davies, Chris Timson, Howard Jones, Chas Marshall with their Anglos.........
Numbers are limited, so please book your ticket now to avoid disappointment. It is shaping up to be a very fine weekend with lots of well-played concertinas!
Best wishes,
Roger
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Hello Everyone,
Alan Day has volunteered to host a 'Hair of the Dog' session in the Beer Tent on Saturday morning from as early as anybody can bear to make it through to lunchtime. I'll open the bar so the session can live up to its name!! (It won't be entirely concertinas of course, but last year the Beer Tent did see plenty of them!)
Another unmissable highlight this year will be our very own LDT revisiting her role as Barmaid!!
You may know that the weather here in UK has been more winter than spring lately. We're keeping our fingers crossed for a Flaming June!!
I hope I may see some of you in Brightlingsea. It's a delightful little sleepy small English town.
Best wishes,
Roger
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Hello everyone,
It's been a while since I posted anything, but I visit the forums regularly and continue to enjoy the discussions.
I'm organising ecmw again this year and the website is now updated and well worth a look if you're considering attending: http://www.ecmwbrightlingsea.com/index.html
This year's highlight for concertina players will be Dan Worrall's presentation on the traditional octave style of playing which is the subject of his latest publication. Dan will follow his talk with a practical workshop.
It's not mentioned on the website, but I know that Mike Hebbert, the virtuoso of the Jeffries Duet and one of last year's guests, will be with us again this year in a private capacity and a number of other concertina players have already stated that they'll be there: Mark Davies, Chris Timson, Chas Marshall...... add your own name if you'd like to. Alan Day emailed me only a few hours ago offering to host a Saturday morning session in the Beer Tent so that's another fine player who'll be there.
Another guest returning from last year in a private capacity is Martin Clarke, not a concertina player, but a fine musician and singer. This year also sees a rare visit to the south of England by Jim Bainbridge, winner of many a Scottish melodeon playing competition and the guv'nor on the G/D Hohner.
If you'd like more information than the website offers, please email me.
I hope I can be forgiven for using this great site for a little bit of publicity, but ecmw is a splendid weekend which you're bound to enjoy if you can get to it.
Best wishes,
Roger
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I've been asked by my friends at the East Anglian Traditional Music Trust to post up the following notice:
Just to let you know that there are still some spaces available in the concertina workshops on the Melodeons and More day on 24th March, organised by the East Anglian Traditional Music Trust.
The event takes place, as usual, in Mendlesham in mid Suffolk, and as well as the workshops there are trade stalls, sessions and an evening Squeezebox Special concert.
Places are available in the following classes:
· "Putting Life into your Music" (concertina only) with Martyn White (morning)
· "Tunes with Space" - schottisches and waltzes (melodeons and concertinas welcome) with Gavin Atkin (morning)
· "Private Parts and Major Chords" (concertina band) with Gavin Atkin (afternoon)
The evening concert features Issy Emeney, Gavin and Julie Atkin, Matt Quinn, Ed rennie and Alex Goldmsith, and tickets are available separately or you can combine with a workshop ticket for the best value.
Full details, ticket prices and a booking form are on the website at www.eatmt.org.uk If you’re interested, don’t delay, as some of these classes are nearly full.
I've not been to this event for a year or two, but I've always enjoyed it when I have attended.
Best wishes,
Roger
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I've been asked by my friends at the East Anglian Traditional Music Trust to post up the following notice:
Just to let you know that there are still some spaces available in the concertina workshops on the Melodeons and More day on 24th March, organised by the East Anglian Traditional Music Trust.
The event takes place, as usual, in Mendlesham in mid Suffolk, and as well as the workshops there are trade stalls, sessions and an evening Squeezebox Special concert.
Places are available in the following classes:
· "Putting Life into your Music" (concertina only) with Martyn White (morning)
· "Tunes with Space" - schottisches and waltzes (melodeons and concertinas welcome) with Gavin Atkin (morning)
· "Private Parts and Major Chords" (concertina band) with Gavin Atkin (afternoon)
The evening concert features Issy Emeney, Gavin and Julie Atkin, Matt Quinn, Ed rennie and Alex Goldmsith, and tickets are available separately or you can combine with a workshop ticket for the best value.
Full details, ticket prices and a booking form are on the website at www.eatmt.org.uk If you’re interested, don’t delay, as some of these classes are nearly full.
I've not been to this event for a year or two, but I've always enjoyed it when I have attended.
Best wishes,
Roger
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Heart and Home was recorded after Lucy left London to live nearer family in the Basinstoke area and it was organised by Roly Brown. As Roly is a concertina player it's a fair guess that it will be him playing. Only a guess though.
Best wishes,
Roger
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Here's a copy of a message that I posted up yesterday on the ECMW facebook page:
Following the considerable enthusiasm - expressed during ECMW2011, and subsequently on this web page - to hold ECMW in Brightlingsea again next year, I have made preliminary enquiries with the organisations who were our hosts in June. I am delighted to report that not only will it be possible to return to Brightlingsea for the same weekend next year (June 22 -24) it is also clear that we will be made very welcome!
We were pleased with our arrangements this year and we felt that the event was a success. To have this confirmed by the many positive comments from those who attended and also from Brightlingsea itself gives us a great incentive to build on this next year. We will have a preliminary meeting in a few weeks’ time when Jon is back from Nebraska to get the substructure in place. After that we will shelve it until the new year.
I have already done one thing. I have block-booked most, possibly all, of the B and B accommodation in Brightlingsea so that it will all be available for ECMW (Last year we lost some of it to visitors for the Open Gardens event with which we coincide again in 2012.) The convention appears to be that those presenting talks, quite a major commitment, are offered free accommodation whilst ‘guests’ are also accommodated where possible, but at their own expense. Many of these people prefer to join in with the camaraderie of the camp site, so it’s a rather inexact science! We will still have some accommodation available after that is all finalised, so if you would like to apply for that accommodation please email me privately and I’ll start a list.
Hope to see you there, and probably somewhere sooner!
If you wish to keep informed of ECMW developments this facebook page is a good way of doing it. I'm not a facebook user but I was introduced to this page after this year's event and it seemed worth getting involved. (I have no other facebook presence.)
Best wishes,
Roger
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Well, I finished my pie, though I think there should be a different word for an enormous dish that's 90% meat and only 10% pastry. The Steak and Oyster pie was praised to the skies by Mike Hebbert and Liz Giddings, but despite coming from Colchester I can't eat oysters! Actually, we mustn't let our obsession with the pies distract us from the tremendously hospitable welcome that the Royal always provides in all areas. I booked my room for next year when I left on Monday, even though Mark hadn't set the date! I'm planning to be back in December for the carols.
Thanks for a great weekend Mark and congratulations for prising Martin Clarke out of his self-imposed obscurity - an adventurous melodeon player and top singer.
Best wishes,
Roger
Jeffries Layout - Call me Confused
in General Concertina Discussion
Posted
May I add a caveat?
Moving reeds from one chamber to another changes the pitch of the note! It may be scarcely noticeable or it may be excruciating. This is a fact of physics which I have had explained to me by people with great knowledge; I have none myself.
I have, however, some experience of the phenomenon. Some years ago I was able to provide a fine Jeffries to a player in Ireland. Seeing him a while later he said that two of the reeds had gone out of tune. They hadn't; he had swapped their positions. Back in their home chambers the tuning was again perfect.
If you relocate reeds you must be prepared for retuning.
Best wishes to you all,
Roger