richard

Hi Susanne May I say I feel you are over thinking this decision. Noel is one of the great concertina players and has also been truly devoted to teaching people of all ages all these years. His love, respect and knowledge for the deep roots of Irish traditional music, styles and past players is vast. To study with him is a great opportunity for a concertina player of any level. I have been in Noel's workshops (and lots of other teacher's) and of course he offers instruction in the manner and approach that he knows. But his system or approach is really based on pragmatic methods to make music on the concertina and he will explain any choice and/or technique that he recommends. Each student can take it all in and then decide what to take or leave. His classes do not have an authoritarian dogmatic atmosphere as far as following his suggestions, but why else would someone choose to study with someone if not to get that particular perspective and submit to it so to give it a chance to offer the personal/musical growth we are seeking. His classes are actually not only full of the love of the music, and technique, from as close to the source as one can get, but also they are a great time of good will, humor and laughter! Studying with Noel is very good for beginners because it can give one a smart practical point of departure without re-inventing the wheel or mistepping into bad habits. If someone has habits and approaches that have become or will become obstacles he can show you why and offer well thought out strategies that he believes in. Of course we are all welcome to take it or leave it. I have seen that those willing to take a long term approach to their music making may find many benefits to examining which habits are helpful and which can be replaced to the benefit of your music making. Some of that process will take time, more time than the week or so you actually spend in front of a particular teacher. So I recommend that you attend Noel's workshop, and any other players' workshops whose music you enjoy and appreciate. imho.... Richard

Hiya I've been playing a great concertina that has a wonderful sound, great reeds and in need of no improvement. The problem I want to believe is me... The reeds of this instrument take more strength to push and pull the sound from than my main instrument. I am assuming if I strengthen and build up the muscles that I use to push and pull my ability to get some music out of the challenging instrument will improve. Does anyone have any experience with strengthening exercises for concertina playing? I assume it is the pectoral, lats etc.....? I can imagine a lot can be achieved using rubber band exercises.? Any stories, thoughts or ideas? Thanks, Richard

Hello I am looking for a nice sounding nice playing and nice looking 20 button or more Anglo for an elderly lady friend of mine who is very enthusiastic to get her hands on her own concertina. She has a limited budget and I am guiding her towards finding a concertina. Anyone? Thanks, Richard

This is a beautiful sturdy, custom made miniature concertina case. It is covered in a very supple soft leather. I have to call it luxurious. The latch is magnetic. It is very light weight. It is in good condition with hardly a blemish.. The interior is a very soft suede-like material. It is not blocked, as can be seen in the photo, so it can be blocked to fit a new instrument. One of the inset hinges is a bit loose but the lid still holds on well. It should be easy to stabilize. The photographs are not exactly the true colors. The color of the dark leather is a very dark brown (almost black), and the contrasting handle and latch are a light brown. DIMENSIONS: Exterior: height 4.75" length 7.75" depth 5 7/8" Interior: height 4 7/16" length 7 1/16" depth 5 1/16" $45.00 (or best offer) plus shipping

Hi I have a wooden ended Lachenal which has some small cracks that go all the way through from the front to the back. They are stable and seem pretty solid and not too fragile. What are some (easy) ways to stabilize the small cracks? Would a drop of crazy glue for example penetrate and function as a strengthener for this type of crack? Or...what else. It is on a part of the end that might receive a finger tap sometimes. Thanks, Richard

Excellent...Thanks

Hi Does anyone have a high res. digital image of a Lachenal label that would be displayed in the cartouche (oval) on the ends of an instrument. I am acquiring an instrument that needs one and I'd like to try fiddling around with the image to make it look authentic and glue it in. Thanks, Richard

Hi Folks This concertina has been sold. Thanks

Hi Am I unusual in thinking that people should think twice about adding gratuitous and off topic commentary to certain types of conversations here. I am referring to a for sale announcement that I currently have here on C.net that has inspired people to contribute to the "conversation" with various notions about pricing for concertinas and whether to buy new or not new instruments etc. I think if people want to contribute their spontaneous insights and ruminations concerning the topic of buying/selling in general it should be in a new thread. Richard

Hi Doug Someone may not pay more for even a 6 year old instrument. But... I believe a 6 year old instrument is on its way to improving with time and being played. Rather than a car, for example, which is in its best condition when purchased new with 0 miles, and the value diminishes from that point. And... I believe there is a value to getting an instrument (assuming you want it) without waiting approximately 12-15 months for the newly ordered one. Richard

Hello folks I have decided to downsize a bit and am offering this fantastic quick playing and rich sounding superb instrument. It is #131 that was made for me and delivered after a 3 year wait in 2013. It is a 30 button Anglo concertina in the keys of C#/G# with amboyna ends and plain black 6 fold bellows. The current Carroll Concertina website description: Our Small instrument is 5 5/8" across the flats of the endplates and is available in either the Wheatstone or Art Deco endplate patterns. The base price on our 30 button (plus air) Small instrument is US $6250.00. Our small instrument plays a little faster than our standard model but also requires a little more bellows movement to achieve the same air pressure required to drive the reeds. This does not mean that it is harder to play - it is actually easier to get the notes to sound, but it does run out of air quicker than our standard model. It is ideal for single note, fast Irish music but is not the best choice if you need the instrument for significant accompaniment work. If you primarily play fast Irish music with the occasional chord here and there, and you don't have large hands, you will probably prefer this instrument over our Standard model. I am asking $4,500.00 (obo) plus shipping This includes a very sturdy standard style case (home made) Carroll C#G# beeswing a hp.mp3

Hi I am curious if there any concertina players here who have had to deal with Carpel Tunnel syndrome. I seem to have been diagonosed with it as I successfully recover from a repaired index finger extensor tendon repair. My symptoms are a numbness/pain on my left hand. I am now considering the Carpel Tunnel release surgical procedure which seems to be very successful usually. Any other personal stories? Thanks, Richard

Hello In this article about a photographer's photographic documentation of old Jews,(many Holocaust survivors) in Miami Beach Fla. I found this cool photo of folks playing music in public. Notice the old gentleman with the English concertina. Here is a link to the article: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6792139/Unearthed-pictures-capture-elderly-Jewish-community-Palm-Beach.html RG

old saying... "A hard case is good to find"

Hi Folks Yes I recently did damage to my index finger extensor tendon. I will be having a repair this week. I am trying ever so hard to be hopeful and not despondent! Any encouraging personal experiences out there?? Thanks, Richard