Alan Day

Have any of you experienced problems due to extremes of temperature effecting your concertina? If my Jeffries gets really cold certain reeds stick and will not play unless warmer air is pushed into the concertina and then suddenly they unstick.Luckily I have recognised this problem ,but I can imagine someone doing a great deal of work to unstick a reed that just wants warming up. Also I have asked the question before,but my suspicion is that at extremes of temperature the reeds play slightly out of tune due to expansion or contraction .Can anyone confirm my thoughts on this subject please. Al

Mike "That`s the way to do it" Al

I would advise any person starting to play by ear, is to begin with very simple tunes,even nursery rhymes,or what I started with Shepherds Hey.If you are playing the anglo (CG) play in C and then G.Start slowly and build up speed.Do not even think about chords at this stage.Progress to more difficult tunes as your mind gets used to playing without music.I agree with recording an evening and then practice at home and the next session join in quietly with those tunes you have practiced. Many experienced players have difficulty finding the key that a tune is being played in,it is no disgrace and even after thirty years of session playing I have difficulties with it,particularly piano accordions, whistles and violins starting the tune.I play a few notes quietly to make sure I am OK before joining in when the tune restarts.With band work and session playing I would always recommend coming in properly at the start of an A or B ,my pet hate is players that creep in half way into an A or B unless it is part of an arrangement. There has been some great advice in this discussion and I for one will spend a bit of time on it. I am sure Rhomylly you will not let us down and you will have a great time. Al

Your song Robin reminds me of a couple I drove past in Reading. As I went by the man was shouting and hitting his wife . I jumped out of the car and started shouting and swearing at him to behave.His wife replied " Dont you talk to my husband like that"! I am confused,perhaps your song may sort it all out. Al

Patrick,if you like dancing our band GIGCB is at Cecil Sharp house on 2nd Oct starts about 8PM. Al

Next George session Monday 4th October.1st bar up the alleyway on the right. Starts about 8-30 You will recognise me, I will be the one in the bowler hat. Al

"My Grandfather used to play the concertina." "Really, that`s interesting. English? " "No he was Irish." "My Grandfather used to play the concertina" "Really ,that`s interesting. Duet?" "Yes thanks, had my dinner before I came out. "My grandfather used to play the concertina". "Really,thats interesting.Anglo?" "Yes! Thank goodness went back to live with her Mum." Al

Tina you remind me. Wife "What`s the matter can`t you sleep" Husband "No I didn`t tell you,the doctor said today I only have six hours to live and that was five hours ago". Wife "Well hurry up! I have got to work early in the morning". Al

Jim,is this the fish quiz again? Al

Since rejoining ICA I have realised the importance of their archive recordings and subsequently Bradfield English music weekend, where the music was not only recorded but on video.It is important that for future players of the concertina to have this material available. The Squeeze in mainly consists of a good cross section of American players and some superb players of all systems.These players cannot be taken for granted that they will always be there ,for various reasons they may never be able to attend again.Their style of playing,music,chords etc may be lost for future generations to see/hear. I would like to suggest that you consider setting up an archive(if one does not already exist) and include events like The Sqeeze In, in this scheme. Even after ten years, these recordings to look back on, will be wonderful to experience. Al

Did anyone record the concert? Al

Thanks again Turps.Two trons down to you. Al

"Hallo Fred" "Hallo Joe I havn`t seen you in years what have you been up to". "Well since I last saw you I was playing my concertina in a bar in London and I was invited by one of the audience to play at a concert he was organising.I did so well I was invited on a World tour. "Did you Joe,I never heard about that. "Yes and I finished up in America and did a few concerts and was asked to do a film". Did you Joe ?I never heard about that". " Yes and I started to write my own tunes and one was picked up by a Rock Group and sold millions." "Well I never, I never heard about that". "Do you know what though after all that success, I came back here last week and went to the local Folk Club and was asked up to play and I made a right dogs dinner of it ,I did not play at all well". "Yes I heard about that "!!! Al

Limey will be excited Jim, I will go out in the garden and let him know. Thanks Al

Thank you Jim for playing my/Alison`s tune to everyone at the Squeeze in ,I am sure you did your usual professional job. It is also a great thrill for me to hear that some of you liked the tune enough to play it at session. It sounds as if you all had a great time sorry I could not get there,one day perhaps. Thank you for the on site reports and pictures Turps,very impressive and lovely to put faces to so many friends on this site. Al

I have recieved a very distressed Email from Helen,a good friend on this site. A tree in Helens garden has been blown over in a storm and has demolished her garage and the nieghbours.It is corrently in a dangerous position and could do more damage.Luckily nobody was hurt in this incident but if you live within striking distance of Helen I would be gratefull if you could check it out. As usual the Insurance companies are trying to walk away from the problem. Many thanks Al

Well have a great time ,you lot that are going,but do not forget we shall want a report on our desk when it is over and CDs available of the sessions/concert spots. So do not forget to take a tape recorder. Al

I have similar problems to Jim,with regards to concentration. I have decided that if I am doing a stage type performance, then I must not look at anybody,as I start looking for their reaction.I have had many instances where this has thrown me in the past,suddenly a yawn,one picked up a newspaper and started reading it,a coughing fit,someone sneezing,a baby crying etc.I start to have an imaginary conversation with the person "Excuse me mate, put that paper down it`s putting me off ! etc.This not looking at the audience is great for concert work but for dance band work ,then I would recommend looking at the dancers.This in turn creates problems when the dancers you are watching do it wrong and once again "The other way,you did this in the last dance.It is by looking at the dancers however that you can control the speed and insure the timing is correct. I do think that in many cases musicians put themselves under a lot of pressure by getting up on stage too early in their playing career,I admire them for giving it a try and certainly the experiance is good,but why not play solo a few times at sessions, or with a group of friends, before you submit yourself to the great pressure of a large audience. Al

Thanks Stephen Just shows you how long ago I visited. Al

Whilst we are on this subject ,I have visited the Horniman Museum a number of times in the past and I have read on this site about the concertina collection,but I only remember a couple of concertinas,that were not at all exciting,does any one know what is in the collection and where it came from ,or have they been in the vaults and are now on display? Al

Ken,sorry I have taken so long in replying to your posting but my wife is in decorating overdrive and my time is limited. With regards to UK events there would be too many to list as they are so numerous.My suggestion re venues was really to let you know say what Sidmouth,Whitby,Broadstairs,Bradfield Etc was like.What the Royal and George sessions and venues are like, that type of thing. Eva asked a similar question on this site and her interests and a few suggestions were made.I think if anyone is coming to the UK, if they let us know when they intend to arrive, we will do our best to inform them of events or publications where they can find the info. If you would like a description of some of the events I am sure the UK gang will collectivly paint you the picture. Al

With respect to sticking buttons and also where one material is rubbing against another,I repeat my previous suggestion that a small amount of silicone oil applied to the sufaces that are sticking will remove the problem.This oil is sold as silicone lubricant or anti squeek in the car trade.It is usually in aerosol form so just spray a little in the lid and apply it in very small quantities to the area giving problems.It will lubricate plastic to plastic,wood to wood,rubber to plastic or any combination.Do not use it if you are intending to stick,paint,varnish or plate the item you are putting the silicone on. The effect will be instant. Al

Thank you Richard for the further information regarding the forthcoming weekend.I must say that I enjoyed all the info ,seeing the venue ,where you will be playing,eating, sleeping, etc. I wonder if others were as interested as me to see and read these details and to take this further would anyone be interested in details of UK festivals and sessions etc ? If you are interested many of us in the UK would be pleased to fill in the details and paint the picture like you have for me. Al

Many thanks for the info,I have seen the pictures I now know where you are all going and you are even near to where Fats Domino found his thrill. With concertinas as well what more could you want. Many thanks again. Al

Many of you are going to this Squeeze -in and sadly I am not, so have a great time.One day I will try to make it. What am I missing ? What is the venue like? Do you do your workshops in rooms ,tents ? Do you have dances? Do you all have a big session in a pub or is every event organised? For those of us who cannot attend some info would be nice to see.