Rob Harper

Am I just being unobservant? I don't actually see a 'tina in that picture.

I'm still very much a newbie, having been playing an Anglo for just a few months now. I couldn't tell you exactly why I decided to learn Anglo, but it was probably because I have been going to pub sessions for a couple of years now and heard various forms of concertina and box on a regular basis, and just liked the sound of the 'tinas, plus the fact that I already played harmonica made the Anglo somehow make sense to me more than an English or duet. So when a little money became available I just went out and bought myself a Rochelle. I've been loving it ever since.

One of the lads in our morris side is currently doing a GCSE (qualification for 16 year olds) in physical education, with his main activity being morris dancing (rather than the usual football, rugby, athletics, etc.). A couple of the officials from the side have done a load of work with the school to make this possible. OK, this doesn't make it a sport, but it's nice to see.

I hadn't even thought about that breathing thing, so thanks for the advice. I have already started playing tunes in the key of G on the C row, crossing over where necessary for the F#, and it feels very different. I guess the trick is to learn the fingering options for any given note and choose the option that best fits the required phrasing. Thanks for the advice.

Hi Pan, I've just (as of 2 days ago) got myself a Rochelle Anglo, and am delighted with it so far. I can just about work my way through a few simple tunes, far more slowly than I am used to on harmonica, which I am more experienced with, so I'm off to a steady start. We'll see how things go over the next weeks and months. I've been lurking around here for a few months now and have found some good advice so far (not least the recommendation for the Rochelle), so I'm looking forward to actually contributing eventually... Rob