SteveS

The only sort of smokers requistes i buy

The English is great for Nordic music - much of the fiddle repertoire goes well on the EC. Myself I use a TT Aeola and play many different varieties of polska, as well as Finnish waltzes (and the odd Finnish tango). If you're into Nordic music, take a look at the Nordic Tunes thread.

I've just landed after a trip abroad - I always say to the security person that I have a small accordion in my bag - 1 time in 5 or so it'll be examined by hand (and I've even held a mini concert a few times 😀 over the years).

Having done a bit of research, I'm thinking these mics might be good: Shure SM57 for the 'tina Røde NT1-A for vocals Does anyone have experience of these mics?

I’ve been offered a gig at a festival next year - a concert and playing for dance. Although it’s a year away there is plenty of preparation to do. I want to learn a number of new songs, and add some new tunes. The festival organisers have asked for a demo recording. I’m thinking to do this myself. I have some good audio recording and editing software, but lack experience in mics for both concertina (and other instruments) and voice. Any suggestions of suitable hardware is appreciated. Another option is to use the services of a studio - any recommendations?

Thanks for this. Such a large variety of instruments they offered. I'd love to acquire a portable Wheatstone harmonium 😉

I wasn't aware that Wheatstone also made harmoniums - thanks for that info. My bass also has gills underneath - though maybe these are a later addition. I don't have access to the bass right now, but I believe it to be a 44 key C bass. It's unplayable and needs restoration, but the reeds look to be in good condition.

I recently acquired a Wheatstone single action bass for restoration - I estimate from around 1850 - havent yet found the serial number. Looking at the reeds yesterday I noticed that they had French note names impressed into the reed frames, along with the usual C, C# etc. All reeds are square edged, and are screwed to the reed pan as is common with large reeds in bass concertinas. Set me wondering if these could be French-made harmonium reeds?

I've seen bandoneon players do something similar on the draw of the bellows using gravity as a help. I put in a knee bounce myself on my EC TT when playing polskas - it helps get a pulse in the music, which is great for dancers.

Hi Barry - no I'm not longer living on Teesside - for the moment I'm in High Wycombe

Thornaby - my home town 😱

It's been ages since my last posting on this thread. I've been busy learning loads of new tunes - I intend to post more over the coming weeks. Here's an alterrnative version of Enkronaspolskan - this one after the playing of Ole Bäckström - I prefer this verion of the tune.

Keep playing - especially if you're playing for dancing when you can't stop - keep going. I once made a mistake in a rather nice polska I play - I liked the mistake so much, adding a bluesy feel to the tune, that I kept it in - but I'll only play it the last time through the tune for variation / novelty.

Looking at the core wood again, my best guess is that it's walnut.

So many nice veneers - hard to select a favourite. I also notice the Capital Crispin offer some veneers in 1.4mm thickness - this is a close to the thickness of the veneers used by concertina makers of old. I know I have some French Walnut Burr veneer some place - might be nice to use that. Coupled with a light blond shellac, should look great. It'll make this New Model look super. (As some of you may know I'm a fan of New Model concertinas.)