Robin Madge

I was offered a very cheap German Anglo before I could play. I took it home for a night and managed to get a couple of tunes out of it but thought it was just too cheaply made to last. When I decided a couple of years later to take up an instrument I remembered that I had managed those couple of tunes so went for the most expensive Anglo that I could afford, after all they were appreciating so I would not lose out if I had to sell it again. Robin

Anne and I are regulars at the George at Upper Denby for the carols there, up to 9 "While Shepherds" tunes. No instruments at the George and I think I prefer that for most of the carols, however, you need symphonies for "Old Foster"! I do "Sweet Bells" elswhere, it can be quite good exercise to swing the concertina (Bb/F) whilst singing the carol. Robin

My wife uses a neck strap made from an old handbag strap attatched to the thumb straps of her English concertina. I am still OK for the first 5 miles or so of a procession to play morris tunes without a strap. If needed I would probably try to fit a pair of clips on the ends of a strap onto the metal hand strap rings. Failing that, secure by passing the hand strap screws through a thin metal angle strip under each hand strap and attach a neck strap to those. Robin

The real muscle memory experience is when you are in a session on day four of a festival and you wonder "Who is playing that realy nice harmony?" and you look down and realise that it is yourself. Robin

I think that we all need to explore all the different ways that the Anglo is played, you never know what you might find that is just the suggestion that you were looking for. I wrote my tutor after John Kirkpatrick told me that I played differently from other players and perhaps it would be a good idea to try and write down what I was doing! I went down the ebook route as it required almost no cost to me and I was unsure if anyone would want to buy a physical copy. Best of luck with the book Bruce. Robin Madge

Yes "Earnestly". I don't have any old Folkroots mags lying around anymore! I think the "and" was included as well, DEAF-ASS. Robin.

I have just had a look through the latest EFDSS magazine, EDS August 2024, which has an article about the Morris Ring turning 90. There are two photos that feature Willam Kimber's Anglo (one with Andy Turner playing it) and in both captions it is refered to as a melodeon! There looks to be 14 articles, one about song, one about muscianship, one about "wokeness" and the rest about dance. Anyone else remember the "Dance Endlessly and Forget About Song Society" gibes? Robin

Interesting. I was talking to Chris Sherburn last night about his setup which is basically the same as Microvox but with the velcro patches sewn onto the concertina ends through the fretwork. He has the same trouble with velcro as I do; the adhesive gives way, particularly when you keep changing concertinas as I do, usually four different instruments in a concert. Looking at the video I am now considering using clips onto some form of plate, perhaps under the hands and against the handrest with cables hanging straight down. Has anyone tried this? Robin

I rather think you just did! Robin

I play for a U3A dance group twice a month. We have had one faller in the last four years that caused a dance to stop but mostly they want to dance slower anyway. We are now trying to speed them up a bit as it is supposed to be exercise! Robin

And the one on the extreme left is looking at her smartphone. Robin

Do the papers contain the words to his songs as well? I occasionaly sing his DIY song and have an old cassette tape with that and The Comuter on somewhere in the loft. They still raise a chuckle. Robin

I find that there are about 33 buttons that I use on my 40 button concertinas, and that there are a few of the standard 30 button layout that I could do without! I am always using the left button on the middle row on the right hand. Robin

I know quite a few guitarist who play a lot in E and fiddle player who play a lot in A. It could be useful to play along with them. Robin

Think if you can add to the meaning of the lyrics. Taking an example from one song we do as Caffrey/McGurk/Madge, "The Halton Mining Disaster"; where birds are described as singing I do a trill and rapid notes, where a warning siren blares I play a loud chord. it may sound a bit like musical jokes but it does add to the experience of the performance. There are other subtler bits as well! Robin Madge