gwhlevy

I received a note from Don about this thread and thought I'd chime in. I was looking into this several years ago, but at the time it was too expensive. I came across the MIDI Boutique website http://midiboutique.com/ a few years ago. The website is owned by Jordan Petkov who makes concertina/accordion MIDI boards (among many others) in Varna, Bulgaria. The "mbe2" MIDI board can be used to build a MIDI concertina (or accordion). The board costs €180. Check the exchange rates before you order. As of March 31, 2014 that's $247.99. There is a picture of the board on his 'site. I believe it will fit inside an anglo, and certainly inside an english or duet. The 'user manual" can be downloaded if you'd like to see it. The mbe2 board includes an "analog input for volume control using a potentiometer" and a "bi-directional differential air pressure sensor, sensing the pressure value and bellows movement direction". It can address up to 2 sets 64 buttons. All of features are programmable by means of System Exclusive messages, using free downloadable SXBlast software (available on his website). The software allows for control of "MIDI event for push/pull per each key separately". This allows for the same note push/pull or different note push/pull. "MIDI event for air pressure sensor" sends MIDI information that can be used as either CC2 (breath control) or CC11 (Expression). Yamaha's MIDI sound modules use CC2. There may be some others that do, too. If your module doesn't, you can use CC11. "MIDI event for potentiometer" means that CC events can be addressed directly. "Response curve for air pressure" allows for one of four different curves to be used. And there is an "on-board diode bridge and voltage regulator" that will accept 9-12V DC from an adapter or battery. A 9 volt batter holder (used for acoustic guitars with pre-amps) could be set into one side of the concertina body being used along with the 2 mini potentiometers. So, if you have a non-usable concertina with a good bellows, or a cheap one you could sacrifice, this would be a good way to go, IMHO.

Judy, you are to be commended!! I've been trying to find a tutor for my 64 button Bastari for years. Brian Hayden made short attempt but it really isn't enough information. I hope you are able to go further with your efforts. Applause!! Grant

David, How can I print your fingering chart above? Grant Thank you Brian. I've got it now. I would like to thing that if I had my concertina at hand (as I do now) I would have caught the mistakes. Here is the (I hope) corrected version: 1) Prefered easiest fingering: e.g. A Harmonic-minor : i - i m r - l - - m r - - _______________________ 2) For Sharpest keys e.g. F# Harmonic minor: i - - m - - - - - - m r l - - - - r l - _______________________ 3) For the other Keys, e.g. Ab Harmonic Minor: i m - r - - - i m - - l - - - - - - l - The trick is to wrap the text in "code" tags, which forces concertina.net to display it as evenly spaced (like a typewriter). If you look just above the window where you input text, you'll see a bunch of icons. If you hover the cursor over each one, a little flag pops up telling you what it does. The one all the way to the right says "wrap in code tags." If you click it, it adds {code}{/code} to the end of your message (except that instead of { and } it's square brackets [ and ], which I didn't use here because the system would try to interpret them). Type (or paste) the critical text between those two tags like this: {code}critically spaced text{/code} Then, when you "add reply" or "preview post" you get this: critically spaced text For the Hayden layout notation above, I put three spaces between each button location, so it repeats every four spaces. Each successive row is offset by two.

Thanks for the "tour", Mike! I own one of the 12 Bastaris, too. (I thought there were 10 for some reason.) I love the action of it compared to my Stagi, which feels "clunky" (for lack of a better word). I also like the "compass" of the instrument. The extra sharps and flats are very handy to me as I play traditional Jewish music as well as some modern Messianic-Jewish worship music which is all written mostly in minor keys. Most of the songs are in Em, Am, and Dm, but there are a few in C#m and Bbm, so those "extra" sharps and flats are nice to have. I have occasionally come across a new song someone has written in F#m, which I think would be a headache to finger on either the Bastari or the Stagi. One of the things I like about the Bastari is that the sharps and flats are fully redundant in the "F" row, and partly redundant in the "C" row of buttons. In the "C" row only the G#/Ab is redundant. Sometimes I find my self wishing that it was fully redundant, too, like when I come across one of those songs in F#m, but I guess there are limitations as to how many buttons can be placed in row and still fit the action and all the reeds inside the box! Of course one wouldn't have such limitations on a MIDI Hayden, you could have the full Wiki layout with 3 sharps and flats in each row of buttons. (Ah, my dream...) The only limitation there might be as to how wide you want to make the end caps.

Are there any Hayden concertina players in southern California, specifically the Orange County area? I'd be willing to drive any of the surrounding counties to meet with you. I'd love to have some local friends that play. Thanks, Grant Levy Costa Mesa, CA

Wim Wakker has been making MIDI Anglo concertinas for a while now. His website can be found at http://www.concertinaconnection.com/wakker%20midi.htm . The instrument has a flexible setup as far as key arrangement goes. You can assign any note to just about any key. This would facilitate playing in different keys than C/G that most Anglos come in. It's a very exciting instrument.

The poster sounds as though he is frustrated because he can't get his hands on, or can't afford said concertina. His inability to procure an instrument shouldn't be the reason that another shouldn't be allow to own one if they can procure it. Just because he doesn't have an instrument doesn't mean another shouldn't regardless of their playing ability. No one sits in judgement of the purchaser's playing skills doling out concertinas. "Oh, I'm sorry, you can't purchase that Jeffries, you'll have to start on a *Stagi* because you're *only* a beginner." The person who has the cash when the item is available purchases the item, i.e. ebay. I know this appears to be an unfair system, especially when you just saw the (fill in the name of the instrument) you lust for so badly in the hands of a rank beginner!!

Hello, David. San Diego is only a 1 1/2 hour drive away. That's an easy drive for me from Orange County. I know that a 1 1/2 hour drive seems a bit much for people living in the eastern US (everything's much closer together there), but for those of us in southern California, that's considered an easy drive. I'd enjoy meeting you any time you're out to visit your wife's family. I could drive down and meet you. Let me know, Grant Levy gwhlevy@sbcglobal.net

I'm out here in southern California. Orange County, where I live, seems to be a "desert" when it comes to concertina players. Sometimes, I wished I lived in the eastern half of the USA. It seems that's where all the concertina "action" is. I own 2 Hayden concertinas, a 46 button Stagi and a large square 67 button Bastari. I really want to learn how to play dance and song accompiment on them. Most of the music I want to play is Jewish/Israeli music which is in minor keys. Can anyone help me out? Are there any Hayen players out here that I could meet with or get in touch with? Thanks, Grant Levy Costa Mesa, California Orange County

I realized I forgot to include a link to Jordan's website. It's: Jordan D. Petkov Grant Levy Costa Mesa, California Orange County

Jordan Petkov has a website where he advertises several different MIDI boards he has for sale. Ask him about his MIDI Bandoneon circuit board. This board includes a wind-control built into the board. Wim Wakker has 2 MIDI concertinas for sale currently, an Anglo and an English. I've been assured that a Hayden is in the works. The URL for Wim's 'site is Wim Wakker's MIDI Concertinas There was also discussion on the Repair portion of the Forum regarding building a MIDI concertina. Hope this helps, Grant Levy Costa Mesa, Calfornia Orange County

Hi Wes! "Long time, No hear". Hope you're doing well. I don't know how those switches would look. Can you describe them to me? I'm curious about that idea, because I'm sure that the gold wire would make the switch more reliable. I don't see why (other than problems with placing contacts or switches) that this couldn't be used in an existing concertina. They do it all the time in accordions. I've talked with Bob Tedrow about a case and bellows, he can build just about anything or size I may want to use. Grant

Hi, Sorry I haven't posted to this thread for while. I had a financial setback that got in the way of my acquiring the MBE from Jordan. I hope to do so shortly. As for keys, Jordan assures me that only momentary contact mechanical switches are needed. He has dealt with "bounce" within the firmware, he assures me. You can specify the same note on press/draw or any other configuration you'd like when you order from him. I'll let you know when I get it. Grant

Bob, what's the actual button layout on this Hayden? Would it work for my hebraic/jewish music? Grant Levy Costa Mesa, CA

I'd like to have a 70 button. I play in alot of minor keys (jewish music) and find myself having to reach across the keyboard sometimes for notes. This is annoying at best. The picture you have of the 70 key would certainly make Cm a whole lot easier! (Among other #/b keys!) Thanks, Grant Levy

Russel, I'll be purchasing the "hardware" from Jordan Petkov shortly. I'll let you know when it arrives. Grant :^)

Thanks for your input everyone! I just was thinking it might be nice to be able to discuss playing my Hayden with other Hayden players without "bothering" players of other concertina systems. But, hey, it is a good idea to be able to see posts of others who play other systems. They, too, have applicable things to say! (I love being able to bounce ideas off other people's heads!) Grant :^)

Your optical detection sounds interesting. How would I do it? I'm not an electrical engineer, just a hobbyist, but if you give me a schematic, I can figure it out! It would be great to use a real button setup, even for the totally reedless MIDI concertina I want to build around the MBE. Looks like I'm gonna have to get with a builder (Bob Tedrow or Mr. Harrington come to mind) for parts and ideas. Thanks for your suggestion! Grant :^)

How about a subforum for each type of concertina that we all play? That way players could use these areas to discuss issues unique to their particular flavor of instrument. (Playing styles, key layouts, etc.) Grant :^)

Hi all! Yes, things have happened. I'll be sending off to Jordan this week or so to get the MBE! He can set up the PIC anyway you want. I.E., same note press and draw, octave overlaps (for Haydens), etc. You just have to specify your desires when you purchase an MBE from him. >>Can this be installed in an existing concertina to be activated by the existing buttons? I have a Crane duet where the reed pans and many reeds have been damaged, but it's otherwise in great shape. << Yes, Jim, you probably could install it. It would require coming up with a board to hold the button switches at the proper depth and placement. So...if you like tinkering with things, (as I do) this could be a fun project for you! I haven't decided if I want to use individually contained switches for the buttons, that is, one switch per button, or a sheet of buttons, similar to those used for computer keyboards. That's gonna take some playing with, I think. Grant :^)

Any more info for us on bellows building? Maybe you should put together a website with this info on it, when you get it all together. Grant :^)

Since only momentary contact switches are needed, now I have to figure out what size to use. I thought I saw a poll on the Yahoo squeezebox group on button size preference. Any body what to put in their 2 cents worth on button diameter?

I just received an email from Jordan regarding contact bounce. He says this is dealt with in the software/firmware onboard the MBE. He states that any momentary contacts will work, as long as they fit the end boards for the concertina. Grant :^)

Keep me posted on your project, okay? Thanks, Caj. Grant :^)

Hi Caj, I'm opting for the simple switches unless I find that it's all too "bouncey". I want to keep it simple at first until I see otherwise, for now. Thanks for the advice/info. Grant