Peter Brook

At a workshop a couple of years ago I sat next to someone with the same concertina as me an Andy Norman Anglo in C/G and it got me thinking about the possibilities of picking up the wrong box etc. [This is in addition to the serial number being different!] I now have three short ribbons (green, white and black) attached to the bottom of the right handle using the normal screw. This was only to be a temporary arrangement whilst I looked for a leather tag to fit (still looking as I have not found one). Has anyone else "marked" their concertina in some way so that it is clearly theirs? If so what have you done?

Edinburgh would have been my answer - clearly Samantha and I are on the same wavelength here.... it did make me think about how you mark out your concertina (if at all) and i'll start a new discussion rather than drifting this one off..............

Woody, You are best off (if possible) driving over to see him in the next few months. The tea is well worth it and his workshop is quite fascinating. He is also one of the nicest people you could meet. all the best, Peter

Just received a reply from Hobgoblin saying that the first batch of Ashdown Anglos are currently being made - no date for when they'll be ready & they said there is currently a waiting list. - W A side issue that may or may not have any relevance to this is that there seems to be a bit of movement of hobgoblin staff at the moment...... away from hobgoblin

Is that a tradition in its own right or a "spin-off" of Hammersmith?

[blows whistle] Peeeeeeeeeeeeep! [/blows whistle] I'd just like to say that as a member of the audience that was a really thrilling game and I can't wait for next week's installment....

Try using your little finger instead of a cartoon pig and you might get somewhere Anyway that aside, I firmly believe that you can get more use out of your little finger if you keep training it, I never think twice about using it, but I keep my hands fairly fluid and don't have rigid rules for which fingers to use, making changes to allow runs to sound better etc. edited to add picture of pinky!

Hi Alan, The on screen cartoon has always shown a concertina, and the sound (to my ears) has always been provided by a melodeon. all the best, Peter

On the creation theme, I've just spent 48 hours in "management speak" hell at a work conference. We had got so fed up of the riddulous "physco-babble" that me and a few colleagues just started making up new phrases to entertain ourselves. Hence: Rhinosorous position: used to describe an organisation that is struggling to respond quickly enough to the needs of its clients and is slow and ponderous. Giraffe view: An objective considered viewpoint taking in the whole businesscape. Bumble-beeing: Top level mangement zooming around without much purpose, frustrating staff by changing their minds about "the task" every few seconds. I think we are going to introduce a new phrase each week, and then see how long it takes to see someone on TV use one of our phrases........................ almost like letting a ballon free and seeing if it will get to china.....

Bill, I'm sorry but you are simply out of step with the feelings of many English people. The Midlothian Question is a term in British politics which refers to the problem of Scottish Members of Parliament (MPs) in the UK being able to have a say in English affairs, whilst English MPs are not permitted to have a say in Scottish affairs. The term has since been used with reference to the same problem in respect of the Welsh Assembly. This has been going on for 25 years. Scottish MPs (almost all Labour by the way) get to vote on "English" issues. This particular government is over represented with Scots, Blair, Brown, Reid, Darling etc. etc. A lot of English people are at the stage where we welcome Wales and Scotland being given true independence - we are sick of the whinging, the stupid accusations and people from outside accusing us of taking advantage of them. Britain is not something I am proud to have on my passport or on application forms, given a choice I would like English.

I don't know anything about wales - sorry! There is an absolutely massive folk scene in scotland, both in the lowland belt - edinburgh/glasgow and the highlands and islands. prominate instruments are the fiddle, flute, electric pianno, and button and pianno accordian - there's not that many concertinaists in comparison. there is lots of scottish music and scottish tune books - mainly for the fiddle. Scottish music is much more in the mainstream - the first act in the opening of the scottish parliament was a traditional tune and song with Aly Bain one of the people involved. This is inspite of/or because of Jimmy Shand depending on who you speak to. There are also loads of accordian clubs. Personally I feel that in these four countries we are not so bothered where a tune comes from as to how it sounds - lots of morris tunes came over from america with the original black minstrels from the 1850s onwards, there are also irish (Princess Royal), scottish (bluebells of scotland) and welsh (sweet jenny jones) tunes just within morris music. I don't want to offend you by making a huge cultural faux par but have you heard or seen Ranarim (i think they are swedish). They sound fantastic and I'd love to learn some of their tunes. They all seem to have a great off rythym which I can't describe or tell you what the time signature is.

what a relief - I thought your post was going to be about people having concertinas buried or cremated with them!

Apologies to all this does not affect. Do any of the double agents know if or why the melodeon.net board is down? It doesn't seem to have been working for the last couple of days for me. thanks, Peter

I understand from Ian Sharp that other concertina systems are welcome to come to this workshop as well as English players. Rob won't be limiting his comments about "bringing the music alive" to the English. However, techniques specific to English such as fingering won't be able to be taught by Rob to people playing other systems. For the evening concert. Just to echo John's comments above, Mick Lynn is an excellent player of anglo, melodeon and piano accordion and first-rate at accompaning singers. He has also has a great singing voice himself. I've not seen "No Worries" but they seem very popular on the local circuit judging from the number of bookings they attract. Rob Harbron is an outstanding concertina player, and usually plays a diverse mix of classical, traditional and self composed music. Last time I saw him was at a Whitby late night concert and the place was enthralled with his sensitivity one minute and the foot stomping swing the next. Booking details as per John's post above.

That's a pretty amazing website, "The Gay Bogies," and the announcement of "the birth of the dreaded "Gay Bogie Grab"... "Quake with fear you dogs, as votes come in for 2006!" Hmmm ... Does show some spirit! Yep if you see them don't make eye contact - unless you want to be "green" yourself

I saw Bryan yesterday and managed a very quick squeeze on both his boxes - very jealous but thoroughly enjoyed the chance to play such quality instruments. As for sessions, Bryan mentioned the Royal Standard for Friday night, with Jenny Lind, Pier Hotel and FiLo for Saturday. He also said that Alan is one of the "organisers" Another musician confirmed that the Stag on Friday night is also excellent although you need to be there by 7:30 pm to get a seat (if you want to play). Also the landlord is moving on soon so he is unsure what will happen with the regular tuesday night session I also found another website which I think more closely reflects the bizzare stuff that goes on at Jack-in-the-Green . This is a safe link all the best, Peter PS I added spaces to Alan's details to limit spam

You also get the chance to play some wonderful concertinas. Last night I played a 40 key Wheatstone (C/G)and a 38 key Jeffries (G/D) only for a few seconds but it was enough to start the accumulative disorder off again........ what's the number of my bank manager?

I've heard one old-time name for the melodeon as a 'musick' Thank you for the links m3838 - not what I was expecting at all. So are those pedals to work the bellows? Scan Tester called all his reed instruments "musics" including bandonian, concertina and "vienna accordian" (melodeon) according to the book by Reg Hall.

Sorry - is this like a church organ, a harmonium or a street/barrel organ - or none of them. I've never heard of the term "Melodeon" used in this context. Can you provide a link? I've now read some descriptions but no pictures :-(

See http://www.melodeon.net/info.html#layouts for how the English define "Melodeon". There is huge scope, although most English people will initially think you mean a 21 button D/G with 8 basses

Sorry you'll need to clarify what you mean. I assume you mean a B/C/C# with a stradella bass? But of course you may not. Dino Baffetti (I understand) will custome fit any reeds to their boxes so you could choose one from this page http://www.baffetti-accordions.com/diatonic2.htm and get the exact tuning you want. I can't offer any advice on waiting lists or build time.

Well there is what i would like to do in an ideal world and then there is what I actually do (on 30 key C/G Anglo)! But on my ideal side: Play scales C, G, D, A, F andante (I don't normally play outside these keys) - [i also play in minor keys but don't practise them as scales] Play scales legato, repeat staccato. Play alternating legato and staccato note (repeat reversing this pattern). Play scales first note loud, second soft etc. (then repeat other way around) Play scales playing "in octaves" as far as instrument allows. Play a tune very slowly putting in chords, and ornamantations such as triplets. Gradually speed up but make sure that no sections are faster or slower than others. Alternatively I might be working on learning a song. Just "jam" with myself playing any tune that comes into my head or from a book that happens to be on the table. In terms of time 20 minutes scales, 20 minutes single tune, 20 minutes "jam" = 60 minutes. This might not work for you but to me it keeps it lots of fun but hopefully I am using the time constructively as well.

You probably "care more" when playing to family and friends as well - especially if that is not the norm.

I don't mean a full quote with a reply that really relates only to a small bit of the quote. I'm talking about a quote with nothing at all added in reply. Jim, I think it is a good idea and would cut down the "wasted" posts. Intuitive software is very unusual though. I have wondered for some time whether software programmes are made difficult on purpose just so a pile of training can be provided and sold.

Funnily enough when playing the cornet I can do a "passable" impression of a jazz great just by sustaining a long note, blowing louder and softer, and pressing and releasing the valves as rapidly as possible! of course the illusion is shattered when I stop to take the next breath and the "tune" doesn't develop. It probably sounds quite similar to the accidental row being played though