Ceratonia

Hi Yvonne I'm in South Cambs and also a complete beginner on Concertina. Bought a cheapo east german concertina off ebay a while back but haven't really touched it yet other than to see if all the buttons work (too many other instruments ). First thing to say is that acclaimed English Concertina player Alistair Anderson is (I was told) doing a concert in Cambridge (West Road) on 17th November 7pm) - phone corn exchange for tickets. I think there may be workshops (for kids) as well in the daytime. Would expect some of the concertina players in the area to be there, so sounds like a good opportunity to meet someone who might be able to teach you? There's a couple of concertina players go to Greenshoots tune learning session in Whittlesford Red Lion (monday evenings) - right next to the train station and one or two at the Irish Tune learning group (thursday evening) at the Golden Hind on Milton Road in Cambridge (ie fifteen minutes drive down the A10 from Ely). These are "slow sessions" suitable for learners, but sounds like you wouldn't easily be able to get to either. Suspect all of these people are self-taught, but I can ask them? Cambridge Comhaltas at Rathmore Club definitely has melodeon lessons (provided you want to learn only Irish music) and there are quite a few players around town - much more so than concertina. You might also check out the Ely folk scene if you can get out one evening. Wrong side of Cambridge for me, but I know there is a French session just started which meets in the Royal Standard on the second tuesday of each month - with instruments like french bagpipes, hurdy gurdy, accordion etc. Might not be exactly your cup of tea, but the people there may know if there is anyone locally who can teach concertina. There's other (non French) sessions in Ely, too.