susanhammer

Noel Hill will be in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada Sunday May 6th to teach an intensive one-day concertina workshop. Tuition is only $150 Canadian or $130 US for the full day! Advance registration is required - we have inexpensive University accommodation, free pick up from the airport. Noel will be performing as part of the Irish Springfest Concert on Sat May 5th at 7:30pm. All day Saturday there will be workshops, displays, demonstrations in traditional Irish music, dance and art. For more information or to register, please contact Susan Hammer at susanhammer@shaw.ca This is an event sponsored by Comhaltas Winnipeg vist us at www.comhaltaswinnipeg.ca .... or www.irishfest.ca

Noel Hill will be in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada Sunday May 6th to teach an intensive one-day concertina workshop. Tuition is only $150 Canadian or $130 US for the full day! Advance registration is required - we have inexpensive University accommodation, free pick up from the airport. Noel will be performing as part of the Irish Springfest Concert on Sat May 5th at 7:30pm. All day Saturday there will be workshops, displays, demonstrations in traditional Irish music, dance and art. For more information or to register, please contact Susan Hammer at susanhammer@shaw.ca This is an event sponsored by Comhaltas Winnipeg vist us at www.comhaltaswinnipeg.ca .... or www.irishfest.ca

Hi Nathan, and the other CNet folks. I have followed & enjoyed the discussions here for a long time, but only just got round to joining in. I came to Irish music through whistle - I've always played wind instruments. When I first started the concertina I had exactly the same problem you are expressing. how to give lift without the breath. Only I also had a very embarassing problem. I was breathing in and out with the bellows - talk about hyperventilating. It took me a long time to realize I was doing this, so I am still working at completely breaking the habit ( I've played for about 5 years). I learned a lot in the beginning from the John Williams video. The thing he said that always stuck in my mind was use your pecs in your chest, not your wrists when playing. If you are concious of this, you will develop the ability to move the bellows quickly and firmly - thus getting your lift. You will also avoid wrist problems. I'm sure that there are lots of more experienced players on this site that can give you good advice - hang in there. If you can get lift on your flute - you will undoubtedly get it on concertina with a bit of time, as Irish Music is more about what's in your head than anything else. Susan