ldpaulson

Thanks for your kind words. I just merely wanted everyone to know that I hadn't come on here, wasted people's time and expertise. I sincerely appreciate all the helpful information I've gotten thus far and I do intend to put it to good use. Thank you for your kind words, Helen. Your icon is always such a cheerful lagniappe! And, you're right, Stephen. I probably should have immersed myself in music. It's really tough to practice in the doctor's office. I say that, but one musician I know got a paying gig at a hospital prescisely BECAUSE she was practicing while visiting her grandfather. Yes, you are right. Animaterra -- I am so very sorry to hear about your mother. It's hard to have a loved one in the hospital. My thoughts and best wishes are with you. I'll be so happy when January 1, 2005 arrives! "Star of the County Down" sound like a good starting tune to attempt to master as I work my way through the tutor?

Hello All: I'm popping in to say "hello" after a lengthy absence. I've missed you! There were two big reasons behind my defection, call it three: pouting, family illness, and time constraints. I was pouting because I was unable to attend two concertina workshop events where I'd hoped to learn more with others after wheezing through "La Mer." This has been a difficult year for family illness and everything -- time, finances, energy -- has been diverted to that. As a result, time has become increasingly precious and I've been frequently too drained from work and family obligations to do much more than crawl into bed at the end of the day. This depsite really wanting to work on projects with others here (you know who you are) including the C.Net Big Band. And for those wondering, I haven't been practicing mandolin either ... and I have even skipped band practice in recent weeks which just ain't like me. Well, 2005 has got to be better. It just *has* to ... and I'm hoping to make a trip to SESI/NESI as well as make some time for practice during optimal energy hours. (And while the neighbors are away!) I'm still very, very far from being ready to play concertina in public! The best concertina-related happening of the year (other than getting my 'tina) was finally getting to hear a recording of Simon Thoumire! If you haven't heard Keep It Up's "On Safari," it's a must! Happy Holidays Everyone, ldp

If you happen to want to venture out to California, I can help provide suggestions and possible contacts/venue ideas to keep you (hopefully) busy between Los Angeles and Mendocino. California is WET! ; ) Also, might be able to give you some contacts on the East Coast who have contacts. Best of luck, ldp

I'm finally checking in and, although it's great to ready all the Squeeze-In reports, I'm sad because I couldn't be there. I had an interview for a job I wound up not getting. I'm really hoping this year is much more profitable so that I can attend the Northeast or Southeast version. Just be sure to have classes for us novice/beginning English owners! ldp

Jim: Based on our brief history of sharing jam observations I think the sessions we've attended/attend are wholly different from each other as can possibly be! I think that works to a point. It's great to have a bottom and a beat, IMHO. We ARE going to different sessions! We're often lucky to have two or three guitars, even at a bluegrass jam! The area Celtic session typically has only ONE guitar, and a good one at that. We are not in disagreement here. I think those who participate get many, many different benefits/joys/etc. from participating. It's always nice for the process to be musical. ldp

Here! Here! or is that ... Hear! Hear! Seriously, I've been in some of these sessions described, in various genres (Celtic, old-time, bluegrass). It's a mess when everyone is playing melody at full volume. What's worse is when there are one or two instruments present that could be recruited for rhythm playing present and they are forced to play nothing but for the entire session. Everyone can take turns playing rhythm -- even fiddlers can chop. What's worse is if the session is one in which the rules are that the session should just be fun (a.k.a. anything goes). It's really not much fun for anyone if it is loud and unmusical. ldp

I haven't been exploring the top end of the stave just yet. I'm in a bit of a good position because I know where the notes stop. The range of the Jackie approximates the mandolin up to to the fifth fret of the fourth course of strings, which is an A above the staff. Don't mess my mind up with those extra 18 buttons! Not yet! ldp, still plunking along on "La Mer" ... but "London Bridge" rocks!

I made a wonderful discovery all by myself today with no help (with apologies to Wim Wakker and Jim Lucas) whatsoever. I FOUND THE OCTAVES ! The person I'm supposed to be studying with later this summer told me this was very important. Obvously, it makes the chordal sound much richer and is going to be very handy. I am still just fumbling around with the box as it is and not expecting much from myself. While messing about today, I stumbled upon the fact that the octaves are on opposite hands and on the diagonal from each other. LO AND BEHOLD! Now I have some cool voicings to add to my getting-better attempts at playing "La Mer." Hooray! Yes, I am tooting my own horn. And loudly, thanks for asking. ldp

!!!! YAY !!!! Quit thinking about all the obstacles. You have a beautiful new instrument you are getting to know. I'm very happy that it's here. And here I thought I was the only one, Tom! It's good to be in such fine company. ldp

Chris: I was very touched by your comment about the event. I am sure it was the good company as much as the good spirits that helped. Feeling comfortable among the group probably helped you ease off any self-judgement/criticism you've been doing. This can be true even for those of us not facing a physical challenge. So often mind and body work together that we forget that they can easily get in the way of each other. Hooray for you! ldp

I just had to check in. The sun is setting on another day of practice ... Today was just great. Out of seemingly the blue, I picked out the first notes of "J'Attendre." I also have had a chart of "La Mer" in my office (which is where I'm practicing). IT IS IN the Key of C! Whoo-hoo. I played all the notes I could and sang the remainder. The triplets are interesting. But the important point is I TRIED. And here I'd promised to work on "Star of the County Down." Silly me. The even better news: still no banging on the wall from the neighbors. Forearms and pinky are toasted, however. I may be playing an actual tune before too long! HOORAY! ldp p.s. i'll try to respond to folks' replies soon. promise. -- ldp

Thanks again for all the kind words and encouragement. I'm working my way very carefully through M. Wakker's tutor excercises. I'm up to the third exercise involving the first four notes of the C scale. I'm not cutting myself a lot of slack. There's no moving forward until one exercise can be played without mistakes at least twice in a row. That is a challenge. I'm not interested in going lickety-split through this. I need to find the notes! I'm also going back and forth between teh first three lines to see if I'm improving. Everything surely must fall into place after that. At least as far as reading and mastery of the keyboard. What's hysterical is that when I think I have the notes mastered and move to focus on bellows control (or attempt at control), the note accuracy goes straight to hell! LOL! This happens with other instruments and is to be expected. At least I sound better today than in previous practice sessions. Still doesn't sound particularly musical. Thanks for the advice about muffling. The concertina came out when I saw the neighbors' cars were missing. Wendy -- any tips on how you made your 'tina mute? I'd be interested in attempting to replicate your efforts with thick batting and heavy duty Velcro. I think this might get a little sweaty as summer arrives, but I'd obviously rather practice than not. Thanks again everyone for your kind words. Most important, any packages from Australia yet Steven? ldp p.s. more time would have been spent practicing, but i had a gig (which went fabu, thanks for asking) and a meeting to promote local music to attend this weekend. and i was good and got some housework done! yay me! ouch! my arm hurts from too much patting myself on the back. -- ldp

Details ... I am starting with a Jackie student model English concertina. She is petite, yet aggressive! I am trying to find the notes and they me. Scale mastery is the goal at this point. I am supposed to be taking a workshop later this summer. I promised the instructor that I would have at least three scales, locate all the octave intervals for notes, and have two tunes before then. The C scale was not one of the scales on the list, since it isn't a widely used key in these parts, but it is useful. So I'm progressing in the direction of D, G, and A. That's plenty for now. This instrument is very LOUD. This is a bit of a problem since I am an apartment dweller. I am planning on making a baffled practice area away from the common wall and am making plans to spend time at the park where I can practice away without distractions. This work thing keeps getting in the way of practicing, too. ldp

IT IS (FINALLY!) HERE!!! I was worried, but MY English concertina just arrived and it’s taking all the discipline I can possibly muster to wait until the work day is over so I can start playing! This waiting is killing me! Sure, I got it out of the box and tried a few buttons and played with pulling/pushing the bellows. It is LOUD. Don't expect to see me posting here save for yelps for help. I'll be learning to play and practicing mando. ldp p.s. shhhhhhhhhhhhhh. this communique is top secret! my band doesn't yet know i've even GOT a new instrument. it is a surprise. i want to show up with at least two of our tunes mastered for 'tina. ha! one of our vocalists got brave and drug out her viola ... we are gonna be amazing when all the pieces come together, not that they haven't on some tunes ... i'm blathering ... killing time. thirty minutes = eternity. -- ldp

LOL! Keep him ignorant in that department only! And do believe me ... please. I was a horrible boring, greasy grind in my younger years. Now I am making up for all the lost fun. Not that I didn't have fun, but everything had to have a purpose and such. Aiming for good grades to get into a good university. Trying to decide on a career. Reading like mad. Working. Oh my! They are gunning for you, aren't they? LDP or ldp, caps off for my convenience ; P