Mark Evans

Greg, I don't know how it works, but a call to the Button Box might be worth your time. I understand they do rent instruments. Just an idea. Of course having someone loan you a good instrument, well that's not too easy to come by.

Get thee unto the Recorded Links page. There you will find the answer you seek. Both systems are limited only by imagination. If you are looking for Anglo diversity, it's there in abundance. English is well represented. Careful, for there lurks Duet also and it too is wonderful. Yer chops will be a slobberin', aargh! (sorry watching SpongeBob with my daughter).

Wow Bruce, that's drastic. You don't fool around do you. The Albion is a wonderful instrument. A black on eh? I've wanted to find the time to go out there and look at one just for fun. This bids the question: When will Mr. Morse make an English with traditional reeds? I know the Duet project comes first. I just hope I'm on the right side of the sod when the English comes due. Bravo!

In another topic thread Chris discribes a situation with both his instruments breaking down in the midst of a session that it seems was so wonderful that he may have done himself a mistchief, had he not been able to repair one of them and dive back in. It has prompted me to relate my encounter with unexpected Magic. Most weeks I attend a session on Tuesday evenings in a wonderful public house where the patrons are friendly and the musicians, well they are a joy and very important to me. As of late the sessions had been a bit flat (perhaps all in me thick noggin). I show up last night hopeful but not expecting that awaiting me was the most exhilarating evening of music and companionship it has been my privilege to experience in many a year. The fiddler Jim, Sara and her hammered dulcimer, Tom and his beautiful old Wheatstone, Joey with his bodhran, they are all there eatin' supper. One suprise awaited me, a fella named John Caru. Wonderful baritone speaking voice. A heritage from Prince Edward Island, he has that regions well deserved reputation for song within him. We sit down, he pulls out a small body guitar, we tune up and the magic just envelops us all. His chording was thrilling and responsive and the voice! Wonderfully full of gravel as if from a creek bed and a clear ability to communicate language! Chills were running down my spine (even a tear). We were all positively mad running from one run of tunes to another. This man tipped a balance creating an alchemy in the esemblege that was unique, dare I say magic. Fiddlin' Jim remembering my fondness for the Bothy Band no doublt inspired by Johns backing started Colemans Cross, the years melted away for me. We went through several arrangements not thought of in ages. Time for me stood still. I was not separate from them. I didn't want it to end...none of us wanted it to end. But end it does as all things will. I shook each hand and looked into each face and thanked them for the benediction on the evening. A moment, a connection, a communion passed between us. It still tingles my skin to think on it.

Bruce, your post made me sweat. I don't look forward to the day Tina has to go back to the Button Box. When it happens, I'll drive her out there. Why on earth did you send the Albion and the Lachenal at the same time? Not some catastrophe I trust?

Robert, that was good! Still catchin' my breath. When I got to Snagglepuss I near 'bout snorted a mouth full a' coffee out my nose. Sure nuff' made the afternoon! I dated a young woman like yer melodian many moons ago. Gives me shivers to think on it . Sounds like a rowdy household you've got there .

Hello, welcome. I'd suggest with the additional information on your interests that you look at a 30 button C/G. That you play mouth harp, would be a natural and it is the type instrument most closely associated with the music you've listed. You'll have a blast!

Ouch!

Hard to go wrong with a 20 button to start. They can be had for short money. Most will be a nigthmare of sticking buttons however but it's all part of the "fun". I'd stay away from any of the entry level insturments that are used. They are most certainly disposable instruments and likely in rough shape. If it bites you hard, an upgrade will be in the offing. You mentioned Zydeco...concertina won't give you the sound for that (kinda but not really). A melodion would be your road there (good bit more money for one of those). However, my favorite Zydeco artist is Buckwheat Zydeco and he gets it on with a PA (Piano Accordion). I've just blasphemed here, but it's true. Buckwheat rocks! Welcome!

Good idea Jim. Let's see, were I to apply that to myself, I'd have to go with the Scholer from my youth (which is setting on the shelf above me) blown bellows, two buttons forever stuck and a windy moan like like a mornful old Jersey cow. Yep, that's me most days. Curses, I'll be doing this all day now. What a Bastari that guy is! My oh my, she's a cute little Tedrow! Salva me!

Stuart, I've been dying to ask...why did you know your Rover was a female? Sounds like the beginning of a fun song to me: "for I knew she was a rover," As I'm sure Jim would rightly dissaprove, I've been assigning gender to my cars for past 30 or so years. In all that time I've only owned one who was difinetly female (had nothing to do with temprement on starting or any such cliche jokes, she was just most definetly a female 74' Mercedes 300TD station wagon named Leonora).

I like the suggestion of playing with a CD. It's like a metronome but at least for me it's connected to music. Are nerves involved in this at all? They are for me and can really get me tight, forgetting tunes and dropping a beat or two. Then I worry about what I just messed up and MESS UP AGAIN! Maybe for you too? Deep breath, start again when the A part comes back 'round and don't look back. Also, let yourself ride on top of the beat the "backers" set up for you. It's like a wave. Or you can see it as the foundation of what the lead instruments are building on. Stay within the support they put under you and the other lead instruments. I know that sounds granola or new age la la, but it works. Do your work with the CD or metronome at home and then at the session let go and trust yourself. From your profile it suggests you also dance. Let that concertina dance in your hands and have fun mistakes or no .

'fraid I'd hurt meself Jim !

Yes, I believe they do have gender association. My Wheatsone Aeola 64 note was "The Stone". Without a doubt a male and a macho male at that whose motto was "Lead, follow, or get the h*** outta my way!" My current squeeze is a Morse Albion named "Tina". She stood up and said "I am woman, hear me roar" the very first time my fingers flew across her black little buttons. She is a saucy lass and I cannot be without her !

I know Wendy! Beautiful sunny day today and tomorrow snow again. Spring, where art thou? Aiyee! I've seen some folks at sessions with a stero plug-in mic. Seems to make a good quality recording. Can't wait to hear the results!

Congradulations Al! Whatever he does may it be with joy and a love of life! (I'm pullin' fer anglo against me better judgement)

Thank you Geoffery, that was beautiful. Now the bright mind behind that wonderful face will be with me forever.

Was suprised by that myself Jim. Never have seen anything like it. Some of the older C. Net Colin mentions did not show up before in the first few pages, now, They are right up front with other hits that did not appear before and yes, this topic is not anywhere to be seen. Odd.

Redemption, that's what your new "baby" is. At least you know who has your Aeola. My instruments went to a dealer...pain. I will hope for my redemption as regards an Aeola, would that it could be a 56 note, ambonia raised end, brown leather bellows and gold plated buttons. Saw one on ebay from California last year which looked too good to be true (bidding went out of my league very fast and I withdrew to lick my wounds). Stole my heart and I have not recovered.

John, I really like the second one. In fact I think I'll have a tee-shirt printed up with it on the front. I already have one that says "What happens in Kentucky, should stay in Kentucky!" This other would complete my summer festival ensemble!

Well, it was directed towards me (pot-bellied wag that he was...that could be me today ). Considering the altered state I found myself in that evening, the joke could well have been an accurate discription of my condition .

Jim first time I heard it...it was a bluegrass banjo player!

Here a chromatic concertina player goes again...For all practical purposes, a three row diatonic has enough of a chromatic capacity to play almost anything you will encounter in the Irish genre. Depends on how well your mind works with the diatonic system. If you are comfortable with the button box (is it a one row?), then taking on the three row diatonic system and cross row fingering is your best road. I started on a two row diatonic as a kid, put a lot of time in, but could not make the cross row fingering work when I became interested in Irish music in my 20's. Someone handed me an EC (English Concertina/fully chromatic) and it was just right for me. Warning: EC were not the instrument that migrated to Ireland in the 1860's. Could walk into some grief or "slagging". If it's what works for your head, most will forgive you. Here is a joke I posted a long time ago, I repeat it for you in case like moth to flame ya' go the EC road to perdition'. It could cut back on the slaggfest you will encounter. How can you tell when stage is level? The fella playin' English has drool comin' outta both sides a' his mouth. Also: Buy a pint...er' two for the cats who look at you as if you were a wounded mouse.

I enjoyed your recordings Bruce. Yeah, not only my fingers but my vocal chords as well take on a mind of their own when a microphone in present . Have to learn Galway Rambers for an upcoming project and intend to attempt your rendition on my EC (as best that can be done). It's very handsome and I'm sure Mr. Hill is pleased when students take ownership of a tune rather than trying to copy what after all only he can do. Bravo. Mr. Tedrow has made you a great looking and sounding instrument.

Welcome! Why not go for a three-row instrument in C/G. Would assume that's a good startin' point. With the accendental row you'll be able to play in just about any key you're likely to encounter. I'm just an English Concertina player, but for Irish and your experience with a button box, I'd say others playin' diatonic instruments will agree and fill in on that which I am ingnorant of. Again, welcome!