Harlan

Griff, Don't I see you posting in the Mando Cafe also? Good to see a fellow mandolin player branching out. I am in Richmond, so too far to travel for jamming. Getting involved in the local sessions would certainly be a way to search out any fellow concertina peoples, plus ton o' fun playing the tunes anyway, with whatever instrument. While I am a extremely limited beginner with the concertina, I have found it to be a truly fun fun fun instrument and as you suggest, not limited to one style or genre of music. Concertina would and could play convincingly in any jam situation. You can chord, you can melodically follow, you can harmonize, shoot you can even give a bass line. Look forward to hearing more of your adventures in the concertina world down in the Valley. Harlan

Here are some sites I have bookmarked : Shanties and Sea Songs Shanties and Seasongs Trailer Sailing- Shanties Traditional and Folk Songs Have fun !!! Harlan

Although I am extremely new here to the c-net. I just could not pass up responding. As I was perusing the titles of the threads, this one just set me to singing. One of the first tunes I have taught myself is a song called "There's More Good Women Gone Wrong" from a recent Norman Blake album entitled " Back Home in Sulphur Springs". Sometimes, something just clicks and well I just had to write this down and share it even though I am only inflicted with Severe Musical Instrument Syndrome(otherwise known as Severe Musicial Instrument Attention Deficit Disorder) as of yet, and most likely will have to add CAS(concertina aquisition syndrom) to that list. But these words came leaping out and so I share them with all humility and askance of an enthusiastic beginner to his elders. Chorus I’ve More Concertina’s Than I Need How can I play all of those reeds My arms are aching and my fingers grow weak I’ve more concertina’s than I need A 30 key owner am I Oh how it has inflicted my life Tendonitis set’s in, and carpal tunnel won’t mend Me tina’s mean more than I First a no name tina I bought But loose button syndrome made it naught Each push and each pull made a whistling snuffle So I bought an anglo lachenal Each time I went to a fair The tina’s displayed sang looky here For you I am made to caress and to play So buy me and whisk me home today So now I’ve tinas galore Oh Yes, I ‘ve one for every chore At least that is my excuse if you please To have more tinas that I need Please feel free to add, delete, change or ignore Harlan

Harlan, what a nice surprise to meet you here!!! I always thought you've given up this forum thing, I tend to read more than post nowadays. I work much longer hours and less time to participate fully in any forum haven't seen you much lately on the mandolin forums. How great to hear that you too took up concertina playing! What system do you play, anglo?Yes, Anglo (Just a guess since it seems to be the most common concertina system) What maker of concertina did you buy? It is a cheap no-name Ebay model Do you have pictures of it?But of course, I have to use it as my avatar here now don't, wouldn't want anyone to get the idea I might play the real thing Daniel and myself are planning to make a website about our music and about our instruments, and we'll most certainly make some recordings to put there, just have a little patience, it will be up soon and the recordings will be up later in the autumn. I am absolutely excited hearing you will have your own website !!! I look forward to hearing what you are playing nowadays, I have always enjoyed very much listening to your music. What about you, Harlan, do you record yourself these days? Again the sad answer is that no, I have not recorded anything in the past year and half. Just not enough time at home to really get set up for that and my old computer that I had the recording set up in died. I have had the concertina about a week now and am having a blast figuring it out. I can confidently play a couple of songs and have smoothed them out to something listenable. The most fun I am having at the moment is just thinking of a tune and then figuring it out in the key of C. So far, I have found most of the OT American music fits very well and am learning to cross key for some of the sharped/flatted notes also. I was fascinated by the concertina because the bodhran player in our little group played one song on our playlist on concertina. Unfortunately, that is the only song he plays on it. But it was a staple in our repertoire that was played most every performance. So here I am entering yet another world of music and having the time of my life exploring it. I know that it will keep me challenged for years to come. I will look forward to seeing your progress here and on all those other instruments you play. Harlan

Congratulations Susie My Friend, It is wonderful to hear that you and Daniel married I am so very happy for you. So you are wondering how is it that I am here on the concertina forum posting rather than mandolin This past week, I purchased a rather cheap model as I have always been fascinated by the sounds and music of a concertina. It will be the only instrument I play that has sustain to sweeten the music . I had to laugh with amusement and joy when I saw your postings here after joining. It seems we have kindred tastes and a need to keep our lives challenged by playing a variety of instruments. I fondly look forward to seeing more of your musical explorations and writings in the future. Hopefully you and Daniel will work something up to post in the recorded section. Oh, my first worked out song, was one we played in our group. Our bodhran player played only one tune on his concertina which we used in every performance. So, how could I inaugurate my new instrument unless I played that most familiar tune to me, "Leave Her Johnny Leave Her". Keep exploring and learning and challenging Susie. You always provide inspiration to me!!!! Your friend Harlan