Missing Song

Looks like a cheap German 20-button to me. I'd steer clear. Oh I didn't want to buy it. I just wanted educating! I have decided to save the pennies and wait.

Rosewood Concertina on Ebay Live I spotted this looking for christmas goodies.Does anyone know what it is?

Hello Helenjane, welcome. I hope you find everyone as warm as I have since I dropped by. How wonderful to inherit an instrument with so much family history. Irish music is very popular and rightly so, it is a joy to listen to. I married into a strongly irish family, and I'm not going to say anything else except, come on in and what would you like to drink? I've heard some amazing scottish tunes (particularly the islands) and even one or two gaelic songs from cornwall. It's a rich vein of music. My love after english folk is welsh folk, which like the language is quite powerful when it comes to singing of land and quite lilting when singing of love. We have a few fascinating welsh instruments which can still be made by some amazing craftsmen but I've yet to find a free reed type instrument that developed in Wales, perhaps someone else knows of one, I'd certainly be interested to know. Helen. If you don't have a digital camera most photo shops will put your negatives onto CD for a small fee. If you are taking new images it's often cheaper to ask for the CD when you have your pictures developed. Windows is quite helpful in uploading images and songs these days but you can buy photo software quite cheaply now as well. I advise you to sign up for a free image hosting account. You can google to find something, I've heard that photobucket is quite good but I'm sure fellow members could mention a few more. Most of the image hosting sites give clear and easy step by step instructions to uploading and also explain how to show other people the images you've uploaded. If you have any trouble I'm sure someone here will be happy to help! I look forward to seeing your concertina.

This was a Mac Plus I was working with. Motorola 68000 (or was it 68010?) processor, a megabyte of RAM and a 20 MB external hard drive. But I think it was a software problem rather than a hardware problem. Microsoft QuickBasic hasn't been supported in many years and doesn't run under OSX. It might be possible using other software. I've been out of the loop for quite a while so I'm happy to admit that I have little clue. I chuckle because, although your mac plus seems a bit old, as a mature student at University, I was the only person who had ever owned a ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 or worked on a BBC Acorn. I even learned how to use punch cards. All the other students called me grandma despite being in my mid 30s at the time. Dual core may well solve the problem in terms of recognising two key captures at once, writing in VB or whatever, but whether you could hear those two sounds together without sending each sound to two speakers or not I dunno. I laughed before I wrote the suggestion because what i really fancied writing was this: We could easily solve the problem by creating a concertina shaped keyboard, utilising dual core technology. Alternively we could just play our instruments.

I don't mean to start something here but before I first posted I watched this board for ages and chose to post because I felt you were all quite inclusive. Your child is very fortunate that you could afford such a great instrument. I would be just glad to hear that someone is willing to spend any amount of money on an instrument for a child. It's possible that it is a stretch to buy a Jackie in this circumstance (if so I know how the poster feels). My feeling as a parent is that I want my kids to taste as many instruments as possible and they have, with guitars, drum kits, clarinets, whistles, recorders, piano accordian, concertina, keyboard and more in our home. With the best will in the world though even a careful child cannot truly appreciate the cost of replacing a damaged valuable instrument. I'd say go for the best you can manage with realistic expectations. If a child shows aptitude then by all means sell your collection of Beano magazines or Rupert the Bear annuals and buy something better. All to often though, children show interest and then move on to the next new thing. I also think making a child feel responsible for a fine instrument before they feel committed takes all the fun away from making the music (or the noise!). My eldest son settled on guitar at around 15 and now has a lovely instrument, which he deserves for sticking at it. My second son decided music wasn't for him, he has earned a great computer to create his beloved graphics with. My 12 year old daughter has been playing a cheap clarinet for 2 years, and loves it, she wasn't so keen on guitar, her guitar has been put away for our youngest daughter, who at 2 already loves to strum and bang a drum . The 12 year old is very soon to receive a better instrument because she can now do it justice and because she's proved she can care for an instrument. I'm not sure I agree and while I understand your passion for music I do feel that suggesting starter instruments 'cripple' is an extreme, if passionate, view. I think we only compromise our children's musicality by either not encouraging a musical atmosphere at home or by putting on too much pressure to succeed.

Is it possible to capture two keys at once with dual core? (back to the ironing)

Matt and I sat and watched a Chinese harmonica player in Covent Garden the other weekend. He and the instrument were amazing, well worth a look/listen if you get the opportunity.

To paraphrase (unashamedly) Somehow things seem more normal now. Nice to meet you.

It's such a pity that a few spoil it for the majority isn't it. I entered into my ebay experiment with a business plan and a set of standards which i was determined not to fall below. I doubt highly that I'm alone in having a relatively high score and being efficient and honest to deal with. However I am aware, as you say, that some others aren't so responsible. I do think that Ebay is a bit of a microcosm. You'd think twice about buying a piece of fine art from a gallery that's only been open five minutes and for whom no recommendations exist. On the other hand, as you point out, massive companies (walmart etc) may have longevity but mostly don't treat their customers as individuals to be valued. It's all about finding a balance.

er what was the tune chris Were you a boy scout chris? (edited because I'm better at making cakes than using forum quote facilities)

I just laughed so hard. Thank you Bernie. When I was growing up we used to go to a town called Wrexham and also beautiful Chester on Saturdays. There used to be the most amazing accordian playing lady who went between the two shopping centres. She was a true gypsy, heavy set with thick black hair rolled up in a bun. Always wearing what seemed to be an impossible number of layers and playing real heartfelt tunes on the biggest accordian I'd ever seen (it was probably tiny but I was small). I think my mum used to give her money for fear of being cursed as she walked past. I thought she was rather awesome as well, but mostly because she was so involved in her busking. She is one of my earliest memories.

Thankfully I don't think that's the case in all small towns , although I do agree that in some places often people don't have an appreciation of life's pleasures. I live in a small town in wales which is a real cultural honeypot. People are encouraged to play and perform in all manner of ways all year long and particularly during our jazz, folk and fringe festivals. Our children are exposed to all kinds of international musical (and other artistic) wonders. We are blissfully aware of how lucky we are though. I could walk down my main street, sing and get a happy welcoming passing audience, whether local or visiting. However if I did the same seven miles away in the next small town, which is a cultural desert, I doubt I'd survive an intro before being moved on or abused. Perhaps we just need an understanding of the culture of the area in which we chose to perform? Oh Chris, I like you already! As for playing for no money perhaps that's the problem. Unless your town is full of artistes who regularly do such things it's possible that the population are suspicious of someone who is offering something for nothing. Maybe it's a sad reflection of our capital driven society but people do seem more comfortable when confronted with an exchange situation, unless they seek out musicians to listen to in sessions and that is a different audience entirely.

I realise this is an older thread but I thought I'd offer my twopenneth. I have CFS which developed after a nasty car accident and viral illness. Thankfully it's a huge amount better in the last year. I found Feldenkrais remarkable and worth considering for anyone who needs to be more in touch with their body's needs. My teacher was so calm and helpful it made me feel hopeful of a new kind of normality. You can do many of the exercises through visualisation. I also found a book by Fiona Agumbar called Beat Fatigue with Yoga very sympathetic to a variety of illnesses (notwithstanding advice from your doctor obviously). Her graded exercises ranging from stillness to a full yoga session for the good days are well thought out. As you know exercise is not a cure all but the right exercises done to the right degree can stave off degeneration in some circumstances. I have also found that a TENs machine is very helpful. My doctor has been very supportive and a pain managment clinic plus regular support from a musclo-skeletal multi disciplinary team (1.30am spelling!) have made all the difference to me. You may or may not have a cure available to you but even if there isn't one it's possible to feel enabled to lead a relatively normal life. I think the worst thing about chronic illness is having to give up or limit the things you love. I wish you well Mark.

All it takes is care. I'm up to 65 both as buyer and seller and I have only once hit any sort of problem, and that was only for a 5 quid plug that took 3 weeks to arrive. But you do have to exercise some common sense, check out other people's reputations and so forth. Chris That's good advice Chris. You do need to check reputations. I have a feedback of over 1500 with no negatives, which I've worked very hard for both as a seller and a buyer, however I'm often amazed that friends/family bid on items without ever checking the seller's feedback. Often when they do look, they see that the seller has less than 100% but don't read through the feedback comments to see what the causes for complaint are. If the seller only has one complaint that sounds ok but if it turns out to be due to passing off fakes or withholding goods it's worth knowing. I'm dubious of any sellers that have a low feedback score from outside my own country. Shilling circles (groups of ebayers bidding on each other's auctions to falsely raise the price) are not only responsible for overinflating prices but also for buying each other's goods to send ratings up so that customers believe they are trustworthy. Here are a few tips I've picked up, forgive me if I'm teaching anyone to suck eggs: Read sellers' feedback remarks and even check out the people who have previously made purchases from that seller. You may find they all come from the same town. Be cynical. Eastern sellers with super high feedback have worked VERY hard to get their reputations because we are dubious of them and they often offer fantastic value for money and great service. However, it's generally better to avoid chinese sellers with very little feedback even if it's all positive. Consider using a third party for escrow if you wish to buy an expensive item and you are unsure of a seller. Pay for postal insurance but only if your item is worth more than £30, otherwise just ask the seller to get a proof of posting which is free. I'm not sure whether such a service exists in America, in which case insist on postal insurance. Even if you only want your ebay account for buying instruments, play fellow ebayers at their own game by building your own reputation up first. Buy cellotape, sheet music or a few second hand CDs (of concertina music of course!)

Thank you Sarah! That was very helpful. The trade in is a valuable piece of information to me. Matt came home with a dulcimer/banjoy hybrid instrument called a strumstick at the weekend and I've been completely hooked since. It has a lovely folk feel to it and it's given me even more of a buzz to get back to my microphone. I'd taken time off singing to have my fourth child but have been itching sing and write in recent months. I think the strumstick will help and maybe a Jackie for a while. If I fall in love with it then I'll leave hints around for my 40th in 18 months to have something a bit more special. I spoke to Chris Algar for a good chinwag, he is very approachable I agree. We both have musical sprogs so we talked generally about music and encouraging the young, as you say, there's no pressure there.

Oh Chris, I'm far more 'wiv it' about ebay than I am about identifying investment-worthy 'tinas. More knowledgeable players seem to be pointing at it like it's a Trabant!

Not that old (horse) chestnut again...

The description of the ad states that they used a melodeon, yet they've graphically delivered a concertina. I wonder why, perhaps they didn't know the difference.

I'm possibly wrong but it sounds like the signature to BBC 2 telly itself. Perhaps it's been derived from that in order to keep in with 2 theme. I like it though, nice little bit of old english on the telly. I wonder who recorded it for them.

Hi Mark, you instinctively know that you should be cautious because of the lack of seller information. I would suggest asking if you can come and take a look at it (even if you aren't able to go). Most sellers offering a valuable item are happy to consider such a meeting. If you manage to chat with the seller and feel a bit less concerned - happy enough to bid with caution- I would suggest that you request an escrow agreement. There are several reputable escrow companies around, just google for them or read ebay's help pages. Buyer and seller both register with them, buyer makes the payment, escrow company confirms they are holding the payment to the seller, seller then sends the goods, goods arrive and are as described, buyer confirms this to the escrow company, who then release the payment to the seller. It may cost a small amount but better to invest a little in security then lose a lot in being foolhardy. I hope this helps and that I'm not typing as you suck eggs! Kind regards Deborah

Let them use coconuts Dave Would they be wheastone variety or just your run-of-the-mill stagi nuts?

What do you mean "some"? This is like conkers without the safety goggles.

Much better to have a squeeze! I might even try playing some instruments

That was quite unnecessary. I only just now read the initial post of the thread, contrary to what was said, Uilleann pipers have much more trouble finding a decent instrument than Concertina players. There's no harm in discussing the situation is there? As long as we don't start calling eachother wankers ofcourse. Oh blush me yet again. I thought it was rhyming slang for Chain Yanker.

I have been looking (crazed glint in eye ). Matt said last night 'How many times have you been on Ebay today?' He recognises a fellow musco's obsessions. I'm still undecided. It has been suggested that any of the systems will do just fine as long as I learn and love my instrument. I'm going to get over to Barleycorn in the next few weeks an have a fiddle around. I do need to be sensible still though even if we've realised the budget will be different. It must be said though I'm leaning towards an English or a Duet.