Robin Madge

The last time I had an eye test my optician remarked that I must have a slight nickel allergy as the frames were reacting to my sweat. Apparently some people suffer from this condition, in varying degrees, that seems to act in a self destructive loop. The allergy causes sweat, which then attacks the metal more, releasing more ions to aggravate the allergy. i just try to keep the ends clean and wipe the finger tips to absorb sweat occasionally whilst playing a session. Robin

This concertina has now been sold Robin

Thank you for the comment. I have taught the tune to the concertina but cannot guarantee that the concertina will teach it to the new owner😊 Robin

I am selling my D/G 30 button Norman/Gremlin anglo. It is on eBay at https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264555415337. Their are several photos there including one showing Andrew's signature and date. The instrument is in Wheatstone/Lachenal layout and has the Saxon design of end plate that Andrew still uses on his logo. Gremlin is stamped on both metal end plates, but only shows at one end as they are the same stamping flipped over for the two ends! Some of the sets of reeds for these concertinas were supplied by Hohner and some from Italy. As the instrument was sold to me by Oakwood as a "Romani" I suspect the latter could well be the case for this one. It has one different end bolt, which looks like a Lachenal original, for some reason. This is an accordion reeded instrument with the reeds in pairs in each chamber, see photos. I purchased this after my main instrument was stolen, happily recovered within a year. Since then it has seen occasional use when I wanted to use a lighter instrument, although I prefer the 40 button layout of my main instrument. There are velcro patches attached which are for use with Microvox microphones. I can report that the instrument works well with the sound channeled through guitar footpedals as well. A video of the concertina being played is viewable at , Liberty Bell by Sousa arranged and transposed for D/G Anglo by myself. There has been some discussion about these instruments here before that might give you more background to them. Robin Madge.

I still quite often find myself remembering him and his cheerful modesty when I am amongst concertina players. Robin Madge

Anne and I use those cheap cycle cape style coveralls that you tend to get at Blackpool and other seaside resorts. I call the look of them "boil in the bag Morris musician". Robin

Might be an idea to enquire of Harry Lowery (of Yesterday's Men) what he thinks as I know that he does a fair amount of hymn playing on both English and Maccan systems. Robin Madge

I seem to remember that Bob Bradbury had one in Somerset, back in the 1980s when I bought my 40 button C/G Wheatstone from him. He was in two minds which to sell. Robin

There is going to be a large faction who want the person chosen to be female. I believe Ada Lovelace is leading the polls at the moment. Robin

As an Anglo player married to an English player for over 25 years I would say it is just as difficult to try and learn the English when already an Anglo player. It beats me anyway! And as for a Duet... Robin

For playing for morris I usually have to play standing holding the concertina because quite often we are processing and I use a light canvas case on these occasions. For performance with the trio I mainly stand holding the concertina(s), (we need to sing in several keys!) but have my custom built concertina case in front of me to put my foot on if I want to use my knee for support during instrumental sections where I might need better control of the bellows. My custom concertina case is in the form of four pigeonholes, two above two, with an additional centre section for odds and ends, with a vertically removed front face. It means I can quickly put a concertina away and extract another on stage. I can't fit the baritone in it though! If you look up Caffery/McGurk/Madge on youtube it can be seen in some of the videos. Robin Madge

If I go for a long walk with arms hanging freely I find that my fingers eventually become swollen and movement in them is affected and slowed. I can feel the beginnings of this condition when holding the concertina too low, say and angle of greater than 120 degrees. Robin Madge

Do you know if tickets are available in advance for the Settle gig, or is it turn up on the night? Trying to work out if I am free of other obligations. Robin

I find that holding the instrument either too high or too low increases tension in the arms and results in reduction of fine motor control in the fingers. Could be due to slight changes in blood pressure in the arms or something to do with restriction on the tendons if the surrounding muscle is more or less tense. Alternatively gravity could be forcing the instrument towards or away from the wrists. Open to ideas about this. Robin Madge

I don't have a problem with holding the concertina, my problem is to do with the fact that I have problems with working with my hands above my head, painting ceilings etc. although I can lift quite heavy weights so it is not pure arm strength. Once went to a Tai Chi class at Ely Folk festival where we were supposed to hold our arms out horizontally to the sides; after 30 seconds or so my arms were shaking. Lukily swinging the concertina does not mean holding it stationary! Robin Madge