Aquarussell

Hmmm. I may have forgotten to count myself! Russell Hedges Aquarussell

Kind of on topic, but I saw Mr. Tree there, with Mary's duet in front of him, and a smile on his face. I think I know what his preference is! It was a good meeting, with one person coming from far away Orange County. When formed, I thought that the club might attract two or three people. We were seven that day! I hope to be at more meetings in the future. Russell Hedges Aquarussell

Thank you for posting! I will be there on time this month. Thank you, Aquarussell Russell Hedges

Good job! No one ever mis-took my playing for a recording. And how supportive of her to want to listen to your concertina record. Russell Hedges Aquarussell

When I first started looking for a concertina, I had a vision of myself carrying an Anglo, and playing for folk dancing and 19th century ballroom dancing. I bought an unusable and cheap German made Anglo that never played, and my attempts to fix it came to naught. About that time I was finding this place (CONCERTINA.net), and the Jackie was just coming out. Since there was nothing like it in an anglo, I bought it, and started teaching myself to play. The Jackie was and is a low cost entry into concertina playing. Low cost but with a guarentee. Until recently, there was no equivalent for anglo. One day, between tap dance classes, I was ouside the room sitting on the grass practicing. The shadows of two people came up behind me and just stood there for a minute. Then a woman's voice said "Are you from around here?". What kind of question was that? I turned around and saw two Morris Dancers. They explained about when and where they practiced and asked me to join them. A few weeks later I did. Would a melodeon have been a better choice? Perhaps. But in my mind, it's too late now. When I bought my Jackie, I had no thought for Morris at all. When I came to Morris, I came with my English concertina in hand. And I still practice to play for vintage ballroom dancing. Waltzes in particular. While I am arguing about buying a new concertina, it seems that I will have to save for a while yet, before I can get one. I am sorry for that, but it's a matter of domestic tranquility. But a 48 button Lachenal, recently serviced? Well, I hope to find one when I have the full purchase price in hand. Thank you all, Russell Hedges Aquarussell

Hello, I have been playing my Jackie English concertina for about six years now. It still works, though I ruined the bellows (DON'T put it in a generic concertina soft case, they are too small and it will wear the bellows at the corners). Still plays, still in tune, just leaks a bit. And yes, I know that Morris generally calls for an Anglo, but I had a very bad experiance with a cheap East German Anglo with wooden levers, then the Jackie came out, and so I am an English player. Ah, fate. I have PM'd Greg, and talked to my spending adviser, who knows I don't need a new concertina yet. I am trying to argue the point. Thanks, Russell Hedges Aquarussell

Hello, Thanks to all who posted replys to my question, I appreciate your advice. I have corresponded with the seller, and unfortunately it is a mostely brass reeded instrument. I play for morris dancing, and so I am looking for a steel reeded concertina. I will tell him so. His tuning information is probably correct. He deals in accordions (and how, wanna buy a case? He has a few used ones) and has checked the concertina. This one's not for me, but it looks to be a nice one for somebody who only plays quietly in the parlor. Thanks again, Aquarussell Russell Hedges

Hello. How much would a Lachenal English, in tune and in good condition, go for these days? I have seen one. . . Wait for it. . . On eBay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280824820732&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123 I liked the "Little Old Lady from Pasadena" part of the description! It looks good, comes from a dealer with 100% positive feedback, who deals in accordions. He might not know much about concertinas, but he should very well know what he is talking about when he claims that it is in tune. Would it be smarter to get one that I know needs work, and have it gone through by the Button Box? What do those of you with Concertina Aquisition Syndrome think? I play for Morris Dancing, so brass reeds seem to be right out, as volume is a must. Thanks, Aquarussell Russell Hedges

I am always impressed by those who learn to play both the Anglo and the English, the keyboards are so different! I would love to just learn to play the pennywhistle well. Okay, at all. I played an Albion once, it's a wonderful instrument. Have fun. Would you be called ambidexterous? Anglodexterous? Anglishdexterous? Russell Hedges Aquarussell

Thank you Ms. Daum! I will be looking for your music in January. I am a little short this week. . . I looked, but I didn't see a recording of Flight of the Bumble Bee. I hope to hear that one soon. And please have a very Merry Christmas! Thank you, Russell Hedges Aquarussell

Wonderful moment, I bought the book based on this post. Later, Henk puts his hands through the straps and plays it. A magical instrument, English or Anglo at need. Still, if you like magical fantasy stories set in the modern world, I admit I very much enjoyed the book. Aquarussell Russell Hedges

If I were in the Hospital, I think that a harp would just be too frightening. The concertina seems much more, um, HOPEFUL. Good luck with the hospital gig. Good job getting it. Aquarussell Russell Hedges

I also plan on attending. We'll have a little to talk about, too, what with the Noel Hill concert last week. I have talked with someone from Shakespears Pub, we might yet be able to hold meetings there.

To the original point of making a very fast acting reeded concertina, how about push buttons and optical interrupters? No mechanical switch at all. Failure modes would seem to be dust in the optical path and spring failure. Does someone here know how small the minimum size opening must be to supply enough air to set a reed moving? To open and close again an opening, it must be possible to move the valve quickly. Perhaps a rotory valve? In any case, it would also have to be very quiet. I see the switch as not a problem. I see the actuator as being the problem. Or, wait. Assisted actuation? Good night. Aquarussell Russell Hedges

Welcome. I think that you have come to the right place. What is a W15LN? Thank you, Russell Hedges Aquarussell

Hello, I don't have any answers for you, but just so you don't think that you are being ingnored, I wanted to post that the concertina pictured seems to be a Chemnitzer. We here don't know much about Chemnitzers! I am guessing that a lot of people are hoping that someone who knows the answers to you questions will post something. Good luck, Russell Hedges Aquarussell

The event this month was much fun, I WAS LATE, but Judy was there for the first time, I touched a Lachanel Anglo she had bought from Juliette Daum. The Concertina world is a small one, isn't it? Michael had to leave first, but he brought his new button accordion. It's humbling to see him play different instruments. He is talented and enthusiastic. Looking forward to next month. Aquarussell Russell Hedges

Do you have one with an English Concertina on it? Aquarussell Russell Hedges

Hello, I can't afford it, but would you answer a few questions anyway? Steel reeds? About when was it made? Could you post a thumbnail picture side view showing the bellows extended? What I see is very pretty! Thanks, Aquarussell Russell Hedges

Thanks for the link. I was wondering what newspaper was being referred to. The boldface lowercase "i" in the original post had no meaning for me. As an American living in Denmark, I'm not familiar with The Independent. And if that column/article is typical, I have no inclination to get to know it better. The 'i' is a cut down, less expensive, version of the English 'Independent' newpaper. This article perhaps demonstrates what you get when you take the 'dependent' out of the 'Independent'! Resistance is futile! Resistance is not futile. Resistance is Voltage divided by Current. Aquarusesll Russell Hedges

Hello All, The second San Diego Concertina Club meeting was held last Sunday. It was four people, myself (Russell), Mary, Michael, and John. Michael and John were so good! Mary and I listened more than we played. Food and drink was to be had, music was shown around, and we even played together a few tunes. Pipes and Guitar and a melodeon were also played, and played well. It was great. I was loaned a Wheatstone 56 button English for a moment. I played Oak and Ash and Thorn. What a difference! I was able to play much faster than I could with my Jackie. I was surprised, I think that it's my playing that is slow, but even so it proved that I could play faster on a faster instrument. I will have to save up and trade the Jackie for a Wakker. It might take a while, but why should that discourage me, hmm? We will do this again next month, June 19th. I look forward to it! Perhaps we will visit the San Diego Maritime Museum's Sea Chantey Bands day around July 24th. Something to talk about. Aquarussell Russell Hedges

Yes, a good time was had by all. I laughed with joy to see the i-phone and i-pad applications played. Wonderful! Hearing Mary and Michael play together was very nice, beginner and experienced, english and anglo playing together. That kind of thing is why I want to do this more. We will post about the next event when we have a time date, and place figured out. I would like to plan a "Drive Bye Dance" where we converge on a place, and play/dance there, then move on. Anoyone interested? Thank you Mary and Michael! It was fun, and we will do it again. Aquarussell Russell Hedges

The first meeting of a new Concertina club forming in San Diego California is Tonight 7:00~7:30 at Shakespeare Pub and Grill 3701 India Street. All invited. Thank you, Aquarussell Russell Hedges

Hello! We will meet at Shakespeare Pub, and play across the street in the El Indio parking lot. Or the sidewalk. I'll try to bring chairs. I will seek out some other place to meet. Every month? A group this size, we could meet at someone's house. But I hope that others would like to do this. We need to talk, and to find out how we can best do this. In any case, first meeting April 25 2011, 7:00 or 7:30 to 9:30. Anyone and everyone invited. Thank you Mary and Michael, for your intererest and enthusiasm! Aquarussell Rusesll Hedges

Thank you everyone for you interest. I will borrow a camcorder for the meeting, that's a great idea. We can't play in the pub. Shakespeare Pub and Grill can't allow live music, as they aren't licensed for it! The have applied for a license to allow live music (which, according to the City of San Diego includes jukeboxes, and isn't limited to professonal paid entertainers) and hope to be approved sometime in the next six or seven months. In the meantime, they are afraid to allow it at all. So, any ideas? Shall we meet there anyway, and play across the street? Or does someone have an idea for someplace else to go? Thanks all, Aquarussell Russell Hedges