SIMON GABRIELOW

Muscle memory! It sounds quite painful; but really is an unnecessary term to use, I my opinion, it is all about practice at the end of the day. And, more importantly about enjoying the process of learning in itself. The best practice I had years ago in the realms of distraction's taking place around me, was sitting in the centre of York [UK] by a busy riverside front, with traffic, noise, and tourist boats going by, not to mention parading lines of large Geese, with Goslings in toe, as well! I found once I started playing tunes on my concertina, all these distractions began to fade into the background, and I then noticed them less as time went on, but it was good practice in dealing with distractions, that was for sure. I think there is too much theory and words like muscle memory is really not needed as a rigid term; its about confidence to play in front of people, and to enjoy even, making a few mistakes now and again if need be. Generally speaking an audience, whoever they are, if they want to hear you play, will be encouraging and no doubt excited at hearing something different in musical terms to the standard repertoire, and a different sound too; being a concertina. Enjoy it all; and don't bother about those technical terms like "Muscle memory" - as the best muscle to use is your own mind, and sole.

I think this is great fun and very eccentric; it made me smile [we all need this at moment I believe].. But well done in your attempt, and remembering that all new instruments[ no doubt even Wheatstone originals] could well have started with such direct bench models to begin with. Why not re-invent a mechanism that have already being made; its a learning process, and in itself a good way of seeing what goes into manufacturing musical instruments. And besides you may even find a way of improving the way they work too!

It is in a way to see some goodness come from this horrible period in history; as concerns the events in Europe. The goodness here is on this forum; and is the peoples' concern and hopes for the future of that bullied nation Ukraine] .. I often wonder what my late father would have thought to it all [he was born in a town on the eastern border of Poland; and later his own town was taken into Ukraine [after WW2].

My goodness that tablature supplied here by lachnel74693 looks very complicated indeed!! I am glad I can read music [ at least adequately]! 😊

It seems to me that at this present moment we need cheerfulness more than ever; by that I refer to the carryon in Europe taking place, as far as Russian and Ukraine. To me [personally] I often think what my late father who came from Poland in 1948 [ he died in 2000] what he would think of it all; as one side 'bullies' the other in such a dreadful manner. My fathers old town was later changed slightly in its name as it went into Ukraine after World War 2, but is still there on the map. He remembered in his lifetime Ukrainian and Polish friends singing together quite often. Both sides of the world there have great tradition in music, and a natural affinity to reed instruments, whether accordions, concertinas, and all kinds of derivations, as you will know of too; some of which has been linked to on this forum frequently. If only people would use instruments of art and music to make discourse with rather than instruments of war and fear - maybe the world would be a better place than it is at this present moment?

Very interesting to see experimentation on instruments still taking place. I know I once was in a music shop years ago [in York UK.] and a man demonstrated an instrument, unfortunately very clumsily and proceeded to press the buttons so far into the concertinas he pushed it right inside anyway! [nearly broke it],,, I have had experience of trying out basic models where button can be felt to go rather too easily into the concertina, and it always feels rather too unnerving, on the fingers; my own [modern instrument from 1990s] is just about right amount of movement to control easily; the tone as much as I personally need] to play as I want. The buttons go down adequately, but not too far to be flush with the face plate. I find with the right amount of up and down pressure, when it is just right, can aid in effects like staccato, legato, and loud and quiet sounds just nicely. But if I felt button was going down too flush with surface it would make me hesitate too much! [just my own view]. Wouldn't mind that fine drill you use. incidentally to make alloy buttons/spares. [for my much loved hohner brand concertina].. but that's another story!

Thinking about not really knowing what composers own physical interpretation of their music would actually be like ( prior to recording invention).. we can know at least that through writing that music down, there is at the least some form of the sound world relived again when it is played again by others in future. Someone sitting at a keyboard, for example, will very much use the same key positions that composer used themselves, and possibly similar fingers also. Tracing in a ghostlike manner in the imagined hands for the present session a sense of the past

I think it is good to encourage all ages to try out something different to the mainstream, as far as music in concerned, as wonderful as mainstream instruments, such as guitar, piano, etc.. they have already a certain theory and method often attached to them, which is often perhaps a bit daunting for newcomers, and yet with free reed instruments there is still a feeling of that improvised, approachable quality, and somehow a more friendly nature to them; they look curious, interesting, have a nice reedy voice like sound, and are easily portable too, being held in the hands. With bonus of a simple tablature system to get to know the notes and buttons, what could be more endearing? Or to enthuse a new student? And yet has such great capabilities. Incidentally, I started playing my first concertina [a 20 key Anglo], when 22 years old, I had never thought of playing one, and got it to attempt to accompany my father on his accordion. But I found I could play it; which was great!

I have to say, it was quite enjoyable, and very different. It had a real sense of variety in it!

This topic was partly inspired by another feature recently posted on this site; namely about the miniature concertina( on e.bayitem)! That superbly tiny weeny little instrument. And it got me thinking as to how different hand and finger shape can affect playing instruments generally. What are your hands like? Do you find them dextrous enough to reach awkward leaps on your concertina. Or have you chubby fingers that may get in the way? Historically, Handel was said to have had fat, chubby fingers; and Rachmaninov.. 'giants hands! Casts of Beethoven's hands show them to be very finely made ( and in life were said to be very hairy!)..'What say you? Or show us your hands and let's see .? Do they aid your playing..or hinder?

I just listened to that performance and I thought it so fitting and sensitively performed too. Doesn't concertina sound suit well early music? I think it does myself. You can almost imagine a 1600's [century] little organ in a chapel playing it, complete with someone in the costume of time! Lovely.

The other day I had a very eccentric session in my back room; after a day of frustration for one reason or another; I decided to try out a quick improvisation. I gave it title of "Very quickly!! for obvious reasons; as part of it goes quite potty, overall, between slower parts.. I don't know what it is but it certainly enabled me to let go with some frantic technique on my concertina's poor bellows. Then it was done. And here it is! Once I put my concertina to bed [in its own box] I am sure I heard it sigh with relief afterwards! ["by gum".. it must have said.. " I need a rest!}

Thanks for adding to my topic [which was kindly moved by Mr. Schwartz] 'cause I put it into wrong section originally! [that's another story!].. Yes I was twiddling around today in my back room, improvising, as I often do; no recording, no video camera, all I did to broadcast was to open my window, despite cold breezy day, and let out the sound; maybe someone heard it? Who knows? Maybe only my Blackbird, which resides in my garden heard it? well they say they broadcast via wireless to universe; so you never know who may hear such things? The more you consider it; then the more your mind gets tangled. Just carry on playing the tunes I say [ and don't worry about too much. Afterthought; I wonder of anyone has ever played concertina in outer-space? There's another topic for future, maybe?

Whatever does he mean? I am sure you may think.. Let the music go into the ether, and then fade away? Well, it's not as drastic an idea for topic as it may at first sound; what I mean to say is that in a world where everything is recorded constantly, documented, heard, seen, known of, viewed, whether internet, or many other numerous ways theses days; is there still that time when you can still sit down, play a tune, and then let that sound finish and go into the ether, and fade away, without being seen or heard of ever again? In the same way you may sit and listen to the wind billowing in tree and rustling leaves, on an autumnal day, that only you heard at that moment [music for your own ears]. I think people often can forget the merits of the moment in musical things; whereby we can let that melody live for that moment alone and allow it to disperse [fade away]. How do you all think about this? Do you still enjoy that time to let go and make musical sounds for the sake of it [not be tempted to record or document it]? Then to never hear that melody ever again? A momentary thing instead.

I may seem naive on this mater of SAMPLES; but would it possible to simply have people give a physical sound recording of their actual concertina [all notes up scales[ etc.. then you can use that ? or put into computer afterwards; then they could say what kind of instrument it its to help identify it..? just wondered.

Not sure of notes used in tune ( video) yet.. but is best in 3/4 time, to me at least; it may be possible to find notes by repeated watching of video. Then gradually write it down.

Thanks - I hope it will be of some use for you? I have done hundreds of transcriptions over the years and your request was too tempting to ignore. Very interesting melody; I tried it out myself a few times.

I suppose we should be grateful for the tempered system evolving; whereby those substituted enharmonic notes ( say C sharp similar to D flat).. etc.. came into use.. and everything was streamlined..or imagine all those extra buttons required on free Reed instruments! If they still all used the multitude of partially similar tone remained!

There's so many key tones to choose from in music; some familiar, and more exotic ones. I have travelled round many key tones in my time; but f major, or g major often pops up frequently. What do you all prefer, if you read some music; what is most oft used for you?

I would say leave it alone! You may not use the high notes much, most of us on anglo probably have extra high notes less used, but it's nice to have them there. You may try and adjust it and then wish you had not bothered? If it goes wrong! I have heard of instruments without the air valve but would not see it as problem overall, just press a note or button to let it close up as it was designed to. Your concertina may be shivering at thought of being operated upon; so in my opinion I would say let it be.

Hello Gregor; at 1am in morning [in Uk time] I have scribbled down my transcription from your own notes you submitted here on the concertina forum. I have tidied it up a bit and put into a 12/8 rhythm where it seems to fit better. I have gone by your own notes, and hope it is a reasonable version for you to be able to read from?

Well, they always say cat gut strings on violin use! So who knows.. Don't worry, incidentally, about sketching onto lined paper, as it's not unusual to take what's at hand when you have an idea( I've been known to doodle on a scrap of my shopping list sometimes, rather than my art paper!)..

Just replying to comment about my tune here; the sea shell.. yes it is rather all over the place ( music notes).. and not straightforward to play! I am pleased you also like the "Jasmine" tune on you tube channel, you may also be interested in another attempt I stuck on there few days back; improvisation called simply.. "Very fast"! For obvious reasons if you tune in to see! Also very short piece ( not only very fast)!! Thanks for your interest.

Most fascinating; that 7/8 rhythm, never considered that one before.

What a jolly carry on! Makes you want to do a hornpipe around the room!😁