jdms
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Posts posted by jdms
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Wouldn't hold out much hope here in New England either.
As late as the 70's here at the jobsite the young ladies would have a May Pole, parade and a queen. It's all just a memory now. Why at session we didn't even lift a pint to May Day (national politics had glum and grouchy).
Well, it's not quite true that there's nothing in New England--try going a little farther east...
Several Morris teams, revelers from Harvard's all-night May Day Eve Ball (I think that's what they call it) and various onlookers gather at the Cambridge end of the Weeks Footbridge at dawn. There's a (portable) maypole in addition to all the Morris dancing. The festivities move in procession to the Lowell Quad on the Harvard campus around 7 (this was a bit cramped this year, as they'd just re-seeded the lawn), and then up to the plaza in front of Holyoke Center in Harvard Square. It's been going on for some time now, and participants range in age from the single digits to numbers I wouldn't dare to guess. They do (as far as I know) lack a Queen of the May.
jdms
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Having attended a couple of Brian's workshops over the years I would encourage you to borrow a C/G and go. Although as has been said a G/D wouldnt work so well in the workshop, what you would learn is directly transferable to the G/D and will be massively useful to your playing. This is because Brian tends to base the workshop on the key of C, so you can transfer what you learn to the key of G on your G/D with ease. If you are interested in the English style then there's really only Brian and John K doing workshops, so grab the chance while it's there!
Chris
Since Ken has so kindly offered to lend me a C/G (for which thank you very much, Ken), I'll be sending in my registration form shortly. Now I get a month and a half's worth of anticipation...
Joshua
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I just had a look at the registration form for the Northeast Concertina Workshop and discovered that the description of Brian Peters' English-style Anglo workshop, which interests me a whole heck of a lot, has a note saying "C/G desirable." I have a question, and my question is this: just how strong is this here desire? I'm a beginner with a mere six months or so on my G/D Morse anglo, which will be my only concertina until I'm feeling a bit more wealthy. Will the workshop's being geared toward the C/G be a serious handicap to my getting the most out of Mr. Peters' teaching with a G/D instrument and, er, somewhat limited skills?
Edited to add: I see the initial post also says a C/G is a good idea--might have asked my question earlier if I were paying more attention...
Joshua
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By the way if, saxophone players are called saxophonists and flute players are called flautists and fiddle players are called fiddlers and concertina players (the real ones) are called concertininsts, what are chemnitzer players called?
I might be sorry I asked.
If tin whistles are made out of tin. What are foghorns made out of?
Chas
Fog! Fog!
I don't suppose Lonnie Donegan had a concertina player in his band...
Joshua
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knock, Knock...
Is this the right room for an argument ??
D
I'm sorry, this is abuse. You want room 12A, just along the corridor.
Anyone want to buy a parrot?
No, no, no. Too silly. Start again.
I realize that quite a few members of this forum have some of the best Anglo concertinas around...
Joshua
(please don't kill me)
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John, always 5 dancers for Rapper, plus Tommy and Betty, Longsword teams are 6.
Theo, I don't know about teams more steeped in tradition, but my wife's Boston-area rapper team has at least one six-person dance. Their musician plays a five-string fiddle, but one thing I had in mind when I took up the concertina this summer was playing for them if he couldn't make it...maybe I'll be good enough by this time next year...
Joshua
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Jeff says:
Buy as much instrument as you can afford and a little bit more. Don't waste time wishing you had spent the extra few hundred dollars, 'cause once it's built it's too late.This is in line with my growing impression that there's no such thing as a really good cheap concertina, unless your definition of cheap is "under $2K" (which also defines the price range I'm willing to consider). Good enough given budget constraints, sure, but really good, no.
Richard Morse adds:
The Morse (and other hybrids) are much better than any Stagi (however turbo'ed) and Jack/Jackie. Not only in sound, size, weight, response, but also in durability too. They *are* considerably more expensive, but most people move up from Stagis (and all below that) in fairly short time anyway.This is the resounding "no" I expected in answer to the question of whether the difference in price between Stagis and Morses (inter alia) makes up for the difference in quality...
Joshua
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Phil says:
Try to get a good Anglo though. Avoid those cheap ones that you often see in music shops or on E Bay.....also, if you buy a twenty button, you'll soon wish you had a thirty button.This is where I am now. I'm a rank newbie; I got a Hohner 20-button on Ebay before I knew any better and am teaching myself to play it (with an eye toward playing for English country dance and morris eventually), but it took me very little time indeed to figure out I'd want something better right quick. I'm in much the same position as the Bear (though I don't plan on selling my cheap concertina until I have its replacement in hand). Next for me is a 30-button C/G Anglo, and I'm not yet prepared to pay for a vintage or high-end modern instrument. From reading this thread and other things on this site and elsewhere, it looks like my choices are:
- A Rochelle, once they become available next month.
- A Stagi (from the Button Box, properly overhauled and tested).
- A Morse Ceili, a Herrington, a Tedrow or something else in that range.
Has anyone had access to a pre-production Rochelle, or can people only guess how it will be based on the quality of the Jack and the Jackie? How is it likely to compare to a Stagi? If I'm able to pay the price of a Morse (I live in Massachusetts, so it seems a better choice to drive to Sunderland than to correspond with Homewood or Rowlett), am I likely to be better off with that than with a cheaper instrument?
No doubt this will all come down to a favorite saying of my mother's: "Only you can decide." Nevertheless, I'd be glad of the benefit of your experience.
Joshua
- A Rochelle, once they become available next month.
Keeping The Prices High
in General Concertina Discussion
Posted
Not quite. The hybrids--Morse et al--do use accordion reeds, but they're mounted in concertina-type reed pans. Hybrids are far better than "concertina-shaped accordions," in which the reeds are mounted in accordion-type reed blocks. It's still well over $1k for even a used hybrid, but there are several makers producing very good instruments for a price within the reach of those of us with, shall we say, modest incomes (even if we have to swallow hard and close our eyes when paying that price).
jdms