Ken_Coles

Mark, It is entirely appropriate to post this here. Makes me wish i lived in Kent so I could volunteer! Best of luck. Ken

Something like this happened on my Ceili (after many years of hard playing). The post had pulled out of the action board, and the official advice was to glue it back in with a tiny bit of epoxy. No problems since. So that is worth checking also. Good luck; this tinkering is part of concertina ownership for most of us. Ken

Where are you? Best answer is someone here who knows concertinas should take a look at it for you. If it is a basic, brass-reeded model in need of an overhaul, $300 may even be a bit much. Ken

Most of the yanks I know over here say "LASH en awl" or LAW shen awl" but this is just a regionalism. I have no idea what we should say. Ken

Stephen, I just moved that thread to Concertina History. I didn't merge this into it as it doesn't appear to add anything to the story - tell me if I'm mistaken. Ken

Moving thread to Concertina History (where it belongs, a decade after the sale that started all this) at suggestion of Stephen Chambers. I added a couple of words to the topic title as well.

Ken Sweeney in the northeast US also does this (two instruments at once). I once asked him if he had considered adding a foot bass to make three, and he said he had no interest whatsoever in doing that! Ken

To add to what @seanc says...after years as a Luddite (no smart phone) I got my first tablet (an iPad air) two weeks ago. Which apps to get first was obvious: Michael Eskin's; he offers several concertinas and a bunch of other instruments. Just a couple of bucks to download if you happen to have an iOS device. You could get some idea of how the fingering works if that is an option for you. Ken

@vosWell, I got my first concertina, a red MOTS (Mother-of-Toilet-Seat, i.e. celluloid) 20-button Italian anglo in C/G from Bruce Cunningham, an instrument repairman in Battleground, Indiana in 1992 for 50 dollars. Played it for four years and really learned where the notes and partial chords are, played across the rows, and so on. Using it for so long really got it all into my head, though I'm still finding new possibilities (now on 30-button C/G) today. As you can see below my name I have reason to travel across Ohio between PA and IN a lot. I may pass close to you or far away; I'm perhaps 3 hours from Cleveland and at least 5 from Toledo. After three trips in the last few weeks, however, I'm taking a break from that to catch up on work. 😎 If I get anywhere near you I can share with you sometime; I have examples of three systems (Anglo, English, an Elise) hereabouts. Ken

vos, For song accompaniment, I think the perceived key limitations of anglo are a bit of a red herring. Some years ago I learned a song off a record, working out open chords (2 notes) that worked and gave a nice arrangement (to my ear). When I was done, I asked myself, "What key is this song in?" Turns out it was in Bb minor (5 flats)! On a C/G anglo. Mind you, have I haven't done this many times, but it was telling for me. Every instrument has limitations, and part of using one musically is working within the limitations and finding the corresponding strengths of that instrument. I don't think it is much of a stretch to play melodies in Bb, F, C, G, D, and A on C/G anglo, which is chromatic from the A below middle C up more than two octaves (just how high depends on the layout of accidentals, Wheatstone vs. Jeffries, etc.). As Chris Timson says, every kind of music has been played on every kind of concertina. Another bit of experience in many other threads here is that your brain may work better with some systems than others. There is no substitute for holding and trying various types of concertinas (anglo, english, etc.) - it is very individual. What part of the world are you in? We may have members nearby who can give you a try for free. It is hard to intellectualize one's way through this choice. I wish _I_ could read neumes! (Gregorian notation) As for the thread title, our host and owner here, Paul Schwarz, many years ago called a related malady Concertina Obsessive Acquisition Disorder (COAD). I definitely had it for a while myself, but it took me 12 years (long before the internet) of looking to find my first concertina. Hope the hunt for your next musical step is shorter for you. Ken

I got carpal inflammation from playing my first Lachenal in 1999. I had the straps a bit too loose and had to flex my hands back to control the bellows = pressure on the carpal nerve = lost most of a year of playing waiting for it to recover. Take this seriously, and get a medical professional to watch you play. They may spot it right away - my doctor did. More of my story is in old C.net static pages here and here. Ken

I tried all 3 at NESI, and while I'm not much of an EC player, I can verify that they are indeed nice instruments. So many instruments, so little lifetime.... Ken

45 years ago a good friend from high school (in southern California) went to San Diego State U. and did a degree in piano accordion with some well-known (in that world) teacher. So it does happen. Ken

I'm spread so thin musically I won't try to list them here. I find it follows the playing opportunities. When I have a session/group/band/orchestra to play in, that instrument gets the attention and time. I know that limits my level of accomplishment, but I have so much fun I can't help it. Of course the pandemic has kept it all pretty low key, so I've been working on several (including a new instrument, I guess some people never learn). Fun but I can't wait to join others in person again. NESI was my first dose in 18 months. Ken

It's amazing what you folks can deduce/infer/figure out about this history we all wonder about. I enjoy following it. Ken