Ken_Coles

I am no expert on Hayden duet, but part of my job is to read every post on this site. They give me the impression that there is no market for used Hayden duet concertinas...yet. They haven't been around very long, compared to the other types of concertina so availability is very small. If you are willing to commission (and wait for) a new instrument built to order at each stage of your learning journey (for example from Wim Wakker/Concertina Connection), it sounds a like a great choice. I'm sure the real experts will comment here and tell you what they know. Tchuss! Ken

This is originally a for sale thread, so maybe the discussion of reed clamping deserves its own disucssion...I remember the late Dana Johnson, whose engineering judgment I respected a great deal, saying he could find no practical difference between clamped and riveted reeds in his own experiments. But, he said, he heard so much objection to the latter from "the market" that he made his instruments with clamped reed tongues. Ken

That's fine. We have folks here who can tell you quite a bit, from a worldwide perspective. Normally we discourage duplicate posts - folks will see your posting. I'll put this in General Discussion. If/when you decide to offer something for sale, you may post it in that forum. Ken

Two Harry Boyd tracks now linked in the Historic Recordings thread. Ken

From Peter Rowlstone: Here are the next historical recordings. These are two pieces played by Harry Boyd, with piano accompaniment: Herold, Zampa https://youtu.be/PAL14KFh8Tc Mascagni, Cavalleria Rusticana https://youtu.be/PfNfslGE2Y4 Thanks Peter

I remember this too. I asked Doug about it later and my recollection is he said they decided separate assemblies was a better solution. Rich Morse spent a lot of time with every design he did, considering alternatives and doing drawing after drawing. I imagine his architectural work (his day job for a long time) was done the same way. Ken

Musicians debate the use of Paypal "friends and family" as it removes the recourse the buyer has for a bad transaction. An alternative is to have them cover the fees. I did one deal where I sent a personal check (I and the seller were both in the US) and he waited until he was sure it cleared to send the instrument. We already knew each other personally so that was fine with me. Others may have other solutions. Ken

Yes, that is the idea. I believe the photos in my foam handles essay show that I play this way also. The bellows on the inexpensive concertina models commonly are stiff and need work to loosen up. Or, sometimes the instrument itself is also unresponsive and takes extra force to move the air and sound the notes. If you ever meet a more experienced player, have them try your concertina - they'll be able to tell you. Ken

I recall Frank Edgley wore out the rivets in a vintage concertina before he started building his own. He would have thoughts/experience on this.

Very nice! There is always new music to discover. Ken

Yes, I can picture what you are doing. Good self-analysis. I know of other adaptations similar to yours. Wrist support is an issue for some English Concertina players also and over the years some of them have designed and used adaptive supports. Do what works for you - staving off injury is the most important thing. I gather you aren't aged like some of us (I am now past 65), but once you get old lots of orthopedic things stop working and you have to modify what you do in multiple aspects of daily life to keep going. Ken

The pain is a warning sign; please consider modifying how you play. 27 years ago, when I went from a big italian anglo to a Lachenal, I was holding with my wrists bent back as you describe. I got carpal inflammation so severe I missed a whole year of playing while it healed. Not everyone is susceptible to this, but some of us are. My own experience is that what matters is keeping the wrists straight. There are many ways to do this; in my own case I use taller handbars or build them up with foam as shown here. Don't hesitate to experiment until you find an answer. And some rest may be needed to relieve the irritation.

I know I started with Irish tunes on my anglo because that was one kind of music for which instruction or classes were available in the US thirty years ago. Within a few years my interests started going in other directions and I interpreted the comment of a teacher in a class I was taking that it was time for me to go explore those directions on my own. And I did. As with most things in music, it is an endless road. Welcome. Ken

Finally got the links to the restored recordings up in the Historic Recordings thread. Amazing to hear! Ken

From Peter Rowlstone: Here are the links to the Raphael recordings: Chopin Waltzes: https://youtu.be/9onwXw45YVg Friml L'Amour, toujours, l'amour: https://youtu.be/Qr42pA1phyU Kreisler Caprice Viennois: https://youtu.be/CH1alapsQO0 Kreisler Liebesfreud: https://youtu.be/n3A0cQ-b4P0 Two Guitars and Dark Eyes: https://youtu.be/Wr74srvLbps I believe these will work. Please do let me know if you need more information or have any problems using the links. Thanks Peter Edited to add: Read more in this thread.