meltzer

I am indeed. Next -- threads on who do you bank with, and what's your mother's maiden name.

This raises a very interesting question -- to me, at least. If I was sitting in a pub in Norfolk, and Harry Cox (RIP) struck up with a ballad from his extensive repertoire, and I'd have taken him to one side after, and asked him to sing it to me again so I could fix the tune in my mind, and make a note of the words -- in some sense, that would have located me in the tradition, having learned the song from the oral tradition. Now -- imagine that there was footage of Harry Cox on YouTube. OK, so I'm not in the room with him, but in some sense it's still the oral tradition if I choose to learn that song & carry on performing it. But (and it's an interesting "but") it somehow looks & feels different. The interesting question is, why? Is it a case of "You had to be there"?

And the English system streaks ahead! I'm on the edge of my seat. Edit: neck & neck again. Exciting stuff.

Anglos on 100% so far.

This has probably been done before, but I thought it'd be interesting to take a current snapshot of what system(s) posters play. I've made it multiple choice*, just in case people can't make their minds up what their favourite is. I'm an Anglo-ist, having played the melodeon since the age of 12 or 13. I had a go on an English once, but couldn't make head nor tail of it. * or least I think I have -- this is the first poll I've attempted on here.

I don't, but he was very quick & forthcoming in his answers to my enquiries on EBay. IIRC, he got a buyer for his 'tina, & at a fair price too. I gave up on EBay shortly afterwards, and got a 30k Lachenal from Chris Algar. Proper lovely it is, as well.

I'm a big fan of the "drone" effect you can get on a 30k C/G box (without a drone key ), using the g/a key on the C row in conjunction with the a/g key on the chromatic row. (Try it with O little town of Bethlehem for something seasonal.) Also, using that "g" on the draw can give a nice effect at the end of a song in a minor key that finishes on a draw "d" on the C row, finishing on a nice strong fifth giving the impression of a key change. Apologies if these are very basic, or if you just think they sound crap.

Or a newer concertina in an old case... (Doesn't explain the buttons, though)

I take that to be the reasoning behind it too. I find myself heading over to the C & chromatic rows for chords for playing in G anyway -- perhaps the G row "basses" are there to supplement the 'missing' ones on the other two. Mind you, I don't have a clue what I'm on about.

Lachenal 30k, C/G with mahogany ends. Described as a "basic concertina" by Chris Algar, but I love it all the same. Hohner Corona II A/D/G box that I've had since I was 13 or 14. It's a big beast, still in good nick despite being hammered indoors & out for longsword & garland dance, plus ceilidhs -- wouldn't part with it. Hohner Cajun 4-stop in C. Good for song accompaniment, & nice & fast for a newish Hohner.

Welcome, Fern. As you can see from my join date, I'm new to these forums as well. They're a friendly enough bunch. Can't offer you much in the way of advice box-wise, cos I'm a push-pull player who can't read music in any meaningful sense.

My first box was like that.

Actually, I posted that before I properly realised you'd got yourself an English rather than an Anglo .

Carols & concertinas do go great together. Can't do any harm to try & work some out by ear.

There's also special EBay software you can download (called "sniping" software, if I recall correctly) that you can use to automatically make a bid in the dying seconds of an auction. A quick google reveals that it is indeed called "sniping" - http://www.auctionsniper.com/

For Internet Explorer: - Tools -> Internet Options -> Privacy, then drag the little bar thingy downwards. See if that helps. If it doesn't, then it must be something else.

It's just you. (Either than, or everybody except me). Sounds like a cookies problem to me.

Well, I unleashed the beast earlier on tonight for a little go, and she plays like a dream. The concertina's not bad either. (Sorry, couldn't resist. ) Far more responsive than my "learner box," & -- for all my concerns about the 5-fold bellows -- I've found myself using the air release far less than I did on my other one. What I'm most taken with is the lovely sweet tone, which was just what I'd hoped for. Hooray! I am well chuffed.

Cheers for the responses, all -- and for putting my mind at rest on the bellows front. It's also good to see the spirit of Carry On still alive & well, and living on the internet. I'll post some pics in a few days time. Of the concertina.

Here's hoping. My "starter" box was a 30 key Scarlatti from Hobgoblin. Cheaper than a Stagi, and OK in its way -- but it started to deteriorate fairly quickly (especially the lowest note on the push on the chromatics), and the G row was way too squeaky for anything other than the odd tune. After a longish gap since I last played one, I just wanted to get summat cheap to make sure I'd still got the knack (insofar as I ever had it). Plus, it's playable, and it cost less than £200.

With both activities, the ability to find the "button" reliably and repeatedly is vital to playing a successful tune. Although -- since the concertina has yet to produce its own Jimi Hendrix -- I don't think you can do the air release thing with your tongue.

A 4 fold anglo? Blimey. That's some bellows control.

Thanks, Ken. Will do. *twinge* I'm a standing-up player, if that makes any difference, or presents any particular things to look out for.

Especially when she has to listen to me trying to play it. "Not tonight, I've got a headache," and quite frankly I'm not surprised. I look forward to enhanced usage of the air button, anyway. I'll have to pare down some of those lunatic chords I use to accompany me singing so I get more mileage for my pushes & pulls.

After weeks of soul (not to mention piggy-bank) searching, I am getting my hands on a Lachenal 30 key C/G from Barleycorn. Should arrive mid-week. It's what Chris A. describes as a "basic concertina," but it's all I can afford right now, and I'm still probably a lot more excited than a 37 year old bloke has any right to be about anything other than ... *cough* you can fill in the rest. The one thing I'm a bit nervous of is the 5-fold bellows, compared to 7 on my "starter" box, but I look forward to adjusting. Any tips & tricks from people who know roughly what they're doing would be greatly appreciated. Anyway. Thought I'd share this with you all. Will keep you posted.