polutropos

Such a beautiful tune and you play it beautifully. Well done! You should post more.

That's fantastic Robin, very much appreciated. You've certainly given me enough to get rolling. Would you suggest playing the chords in the bass and the melody in higher key? It's funny, first I was drawn to the concertina and Irish music, not all ITM but generally so and now I'm slowly being drawn towards an English music I barely knew existed, as I gradually discover it. I'd very much like to hear the mp3 to Bending The Ferret - what a great title! Interesting that Orange In Bloom shifts from a jig to Sherborne Waltz. Once again, thanks.

On another thread, Jody K suggested that tune Auld Swarra would be difficult for a beginner. I asked if he'd recommend anything along similar lines that a beginner might find easier. Jody suggested "Orange in Bloom real slow. With the chords." I found this link on his website: http://jodykruskal.com/tune_of_the_month/july_2008.html I've been listening to it all night and it is indeed a great tune. After some foraging I found this interesting page: http://www.ucolick.org/~sla/morris/music/abclib.html Down near the bottom under 'Sherborne' are links to the abc's for Orange In Bloom. However, as a beginner this leaves me wondering where to place the chords. I've noticed this before with abc's - the notation only shows single notes. I could take each note as the name of the chord but I wonder if that'll just make a pigs ear of it. One thing I am not good at is working things out by ear. I need it written down and I need the music too. Rather than pm Jody, I thought it better to share this with everyone, but I would like some guidance on how I might approach playing this tune, working out the chords. Many thanks. Paul

Thanks for sharing the abc John. I've saved it to file so hopefully one day soon I'll be competent to take it on. I pm'd Jody to thank him too.

Hi Jody This tune (Auld Swarra) is probably way beyond my abilities but you make such an inspiring recording that I would really like to give it a go. I looked at the link you gave to The Fiddlers Companion but there's no abc's - though some fascinating background information. It's not listed in the tune o tron thing either. I did a quick search and found something over at The Session but I wondered if you would share your arrangement for (C/G) concertina in a similar format to how you have done some other tunes on your website. I'm sure others here would appreciate it too. Many thanks. Paul

Morse or Marcus. I look at both with longing. I've heard neither but I'm saving for one or the other ... unless something better shows up nearer the time. Both appear to get consistently good reviews. I'd be curious if anyone is able to make an objective side by side comparison. Of course by the time I have the money saved I'll have done that sort of research myself but it's always good to hear what other users have experienced. One thing I've not yet worked out is why a hybrid using accordion reeds is that much cheaper than a model using concertina reeds - what is going on with these reeds to so effect the retail price?

Oro from John Williams DVD but never really stuck it out and quickly moved on to Cock O The North ... which I seem to have been stuck on ever since. Though just starting to pick up the Kesh Jig. First tune on guitar, long time ago, but it may have been Elizabeth Cotten's Freight Train or House of the Rising Sun.

Great tests. I always thought my musical ear was terrible, turns out it's pretty average, (things must be improving) Though I just fell short of a very good performance on the rhythm test - which surprised me as I always thought I was even worse with rhythm. As it is I always need dots or tab to help me get the notes memorised and I then need to hear the music to learn how it should sound because the dots don't work ... Cheers.

I suppose if all else fails you could use a chromatic electronic tuner. You do need to know the notes but don't get too distracted. You actually only need to know the notes needed to play the current tune you're learning. The anglo is a beautiful instrument. If I remember correctly, the Scarlatti has the standard Wheatstone 30-button layout as shown here: http://www.concertina.info/tina.faq/images/finger3.htm Ladydetemps (LDT) of this forum also plays a Scarlatti 30-button anglo, so I think she can confirm or counter my statement. Welcome to the forum and the world of concertinas and good luck with your learning!

Sorry I'm coming in on this thread a bit late. I bought a Rochelle just before Christmas so I've only been playing maybe 6 weeks. I'm a total novice to concertina so I know it was the right choice for me. I love it, although I also know that there's no chance of an upgrade for at least a year though I am already coveting the qualities of more expensive instruments. Even as a novice I can see weaknesses with the Rochelle but as an instrument to learn on it is more than adequate. And I would join the ranks of those that recommend it as a first choice beginners concertina. Two issues that bug me most are slow response (more noticeable with some notes) and air button access. But the latter may just be clumsy beginner stuff. It's not good to blame the instrument.

Meanwhile Avira lets me straight in without a bleep! Anyway I'm having no problems exploring this excellent resource, thanks tombilly.

Being some 30 years behind I wonder if I'm not wasting my time! That stuff was just too good. But then there was that other video of the little girl who casually bashed out a fine tune after playing with the stuffed toys. How do they do it? Still, it's great to be inspired by 10 year olds!

Sounds about right! But thanks for the directions.

Well I received my Rochelle a couple of days ago and I think I'm getting a little more comfortable handling it. Accessing the air button and using it whilst playing is probably the trickiest thing I've stumbled upon. But anyway, I'm plodding around getting familiar with the instrument and learning where the notes are. There's been a lot of talk on this forum previously about innate musicality/rhythm/talent versus hard work. That aside, I think everyone agrees that if you want to improve you have to make the effort to improve, and that means time playing and studying the instrument. I know everyone is likely to have their own ideas but I'm definitely of the opinion that practise/training sessions need a structure and I would like to hear from others who take this approach. What would you recommend I focus on as a beginner? Right now I guess I'm learning where the notes are and practising running up and down the C & G scales and picking out a simple tune. Ultimately, obviously, I want finger dexterity, a repertoire of tunes I know inside out and good rhythm ... hmmm. It is funny that in all the resources for concertina I haven't come across any suggested structures for a practise session. Maybe it should be obvious?

Thanks for that. I enjoyed it. Especially the bits with Kitty Hayes. I think Dearbhla may have been practicing a bit more than she led us to believe though.