AlanEgan

The best way to "fix" this is to record the session on your phone or other recording device and practice playing along at home.

Hi Alan, As a general rule, you'd never use the same finger for two consecutive notes if the are on different buttons. In that case I would move your hand down and do the A, on the draw with your little finger and the B, on the draw with your ring finger and the D on the draw with your middle finger. Of course, this would depend on the notes before and after the sequence but you can always make some slight melodic changes to make tunes more "concertina friendly". If you're interested, I do online skype lessons which you might find helpful. You can see the details on the forum under the teaching and learning section. Good luck with it! Alan

Hi Alan, You should also have a low A on the inside row (G row) at the very bottom on the draw (some concertinas have this note as another D). When playing these tunes that is the A I use and I also use the low B on the middle (C row) just below D on the draw also. I don't use the D A or B on the push in these tunes. I hope that helps somewhat. All the best, Alan

Hi Helen, I'm starting a new 10-week term of lessons in the coming weeks. I've just added the info on the forum. If it's something you might be interested in then you can PM me here or email me at eganalan@gmail.com Thanks, Alan

Hi All, I'm about to start another 10-week term of 1-2-1 skype lessons. I only have 3 slots left at this stage so it's on a first come first served basis. These classes cater for all abilities of players, from beginner to advanced players who want to add something extra to their playing. For those of you that don't know me, I've been playing concertina from a young age and have won multiple All-Ireland's. I've been teaching for over 15 years and I've taught many people that have gone on to win All-Ireland's. I've also adjudicated Fleadhs at All-Ireland level. I've attached a short mp3 of me playing. If you've any questions you can PM here or email me at eganalan@gmail.com. Thanks, Alan Rakish Paddy short.mp3

Hi folks, Unfortunately I need to sell my concertina. It has been my main concertina for a good few years now and has served me well. This instrument is one of the earlier models and as such has a beautiful tone you won't find on the newer instruments. These are very hard instruments to find. A new Suttner with the same specs is €5000 with a four year waiting list but these are slightly different instruments compared to the earlier models. It's an airtight instrument with very fast action and has been well played and looked after over the years. This would be a perfect instrument for an intermediate to advanced player. Get in touch if you want more info. Thanks, Alan

https://www.donedeal.ie/brassandwind-for-sale/concertina-38-key-suttner/13798378

bump

Jeffries Bb/F Concertina for sale. https://www.donedeal.ie/brassandwind-for-sale/jeffries-bb-f-38-key-concertina/13726593

Hey All, New term of classes are starting in the coming week. If anyone else wants to book a place please email me eganalan@gmail.com. I have space for 4 more people this term. Thanks, Alan

And here it is with the attachment............ The Blackbird.mp3

Hi Jimbo, Here's the Blackbird on an Anglo. Sorry about the echo and the foot taping! Hope it helps....

Just to let people know that the classes are still going as I have been receiving alot of emails about it. The New term has just started this week. If you are interested in lessons contact me at eganalan@gmail.com. Thanks, Alan.

Just a quick note to say I am starting my second term of classes in the coming week. If I have not been in touch with some of you with details please email me.

It must be an Irish thing, C/G is referred to as D, C#/G# is Eb, Bb/F is C. The key is usally the note you get when you play D button on the concertina. (middle row, middle button, left hand on a standard 30 key concertina)

Thanks Steve, As I said I want her to go to a good home where she will be played. So any "potential buyers" should know what I was talking about. Alan

Hi all, I'm afraid that as a poor student I have no option but to sell my beloved wheatsone. She is number 24091 and is a top class concertina. One of the best wheatstones I have played. She has a beautiful sweet tone and very responsive action. She is in Eb so C#/G#. I would much rather sell my suttner but I need it for teaching in D. This is a great concertina and I really want her to go to a good home where she will be played and not just seen of as an investment. This is why I am letting ye know here before hitting ebay. I have pics and some sound files. Email me for more info etc... eganalan@gmail.com

My friend has a wireless netgear also. He has to connect by cable to the router to get a stable connection with skype.

Hi jlfinkels, Thanks for the handy tips! As of last week I have started the lessons and there have been no problems. Some of the lessons have been to the US and they may aswell be in the next room. Only thing I have noticed with Skype, some times the connection can break up it you are using a wireless connection, it seems to work alot better with a wired connection. Due to the amount of interest I don't have many places left between now and Christmas and who I have been teaching seem pleased so far with everything. Thanks again, Alan.

You really don’t get ITM and that is the problem. No point in continuing a discussion with you Misha. All the Best.

Traditional music? Written? Doesn't it sum it up? Almost all trad music has been written down at some stage. What's the problem there?

lol sinking to a lower level each time now I see. Nice. Before you drag me to the gutter with you I bid you fairwell.

Skins- you are making my brain hurt -- why have you debated this for an entire page, then? Your second sentence, above, is as obvious as a bear that defecates in the woods. why have I debated it?? did you forget that you said and then you agree with my second sentence??? No wonder your brain hurts.

I agree. All I heard there was 2 chords and notes. To me this is the same as playing ITM from notation with out any extras. I would give it ago myself having never attempted anything other than trad but I dont have that range on an Anglo. I thought the point was to show technicality? All that was there was notes. I am not knocking your playing, It is very well played but there is nothing technical about it is what I am saying. Do you have something that I would have the range to play on an anglo so I can give it a go? You are missing my points, my friend. It was you, who stated that ITM music technically is equal to "serious", but it's hard to talk to zealots, they read between the lines, and only what they are able to assume. You can knock my playing, it's just an illustration of what I'm working on. From this illustration I have proven the fact, that to play classical music one has to be just as ingenious, original, talented and what not, as any top ITM player out there. So there is no difference between them, an nobody plays from the "dots". In such capacity they can be compared, as their approach is the same. And your Anglo has larger range, than my Tenor. I only have 2,5 octaves at my disposal, and you have the whole octave more. Plus push/pull will add erzats intonation, that will sound better in the beginning, than anything attempted on EC. Give it a try, you'll have more appreciation of rowbustness, whit and humor of those classical players. Firstly I did not knock your playing, just stating what I can hear from your upload. Secondly the point you were supposed to prove was the fact that classical is more complex and technical than ITM. Our discussion was not about talent. And finally I dont have the low octave at my disposal to attempt the piece.

so you can double octave, throw in chords at will etc.... the list goes on. If one wanted to make there fiddle sound like a concertina just pick up a concertina and vice-versa. You really don't get the point. Seperate instruments, different techniques, etc etc etc.... been through this already. Skins-, skins-, skins- Chording is very rare in fiddling, (while drones and modal playing is the rule). The point, mine anyway, is that the range of expressiveness is far greater on fiddle. And combined with the variables of execution, much, much more complex than playing concertina (and, therefore, not as "easy"). But I'm talking to a person who would not know, as you are not a player. Okay, NOW I'm done .. I know what your point is, that is what we have been discussing. As i have quoted one of the best concertina/fiddle players in ITM and you still disagree, I really am wasting my time catty. I am not saying one is easier or more complex than the other. Why can't you accept that both are complex and the complexity or expressiveness depends on the musician not the instrument?