rayhomewood

I have only had mine a day, and have not completed learning my first tune yet (Chris Drinkwater's "Gardener's Delight"), but it already feels like I will not feel constrained by type of tune or key. In particular, sequences of notes fall into a "natural" feeling pattern for the fingers, and the left hand also feels easier than Anglo for playing chords in various styles. Elise - I love her! : )

This is great, Jim - visually the flowing skirts add to the dance movements, and the tune and playing are really good : )

Vicki Daum. Concertina and musician seen c1984, against a 2007 backdrop. Further examples of her work, here: http://www.juliettedaum.com/concertina-art.html Thanks - it is a nice portrait of you : )

Perhaps you should sign up Terence to C.net, then he can comment on your progress. Happy squeezing! Thanks Peter - who did that painting of you? : )

You've done the hard bit - buying an instrument! There are loads of online resources for finding tunes, such as: http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/traditional-music/ and there are some amazing resources at: http://www.bushtraditions.org/tutors/concertina.htm For a list of tutor books, see: http://www.concertina.com/merris/bibliography/anglo-tutors.htm And have a play around on the box sing the same row on both sides and swapping bellows direction - you might just come up with a tune without even trying! Do not hesitate to post questions on concertina.net - everybody started sometime and everyone will be willing to try to help. Believe, and enjoy!

Thanks Steve - I am already! : )

My Elise Hayden duet arrived today, via Chris at Barleycorn. At first there were slight tuning discrepancies on A2 and B1 between the push and pull, but these settled down after an hour or so playing. I am very pleased at the build quality, sound, feel and appearance of this instrument. With the padded gig bag and tutor book which are included, this is in my opinion superb value for money. On a technical note, I have never played the Hayden system before, but it already feels like a consistent and easy system to learn, and it only arrived at lunchtime (while I was out with the dog!) : )

It's a shame you didn't put this up a couple of weeeks earlier - I have just ordered one from Barleycorn! : )

Good luck with these, and my thanks too for helping make these instruments accessible to those of us who do not have pots of money to splash out! : )

Nice one Chris - i will make this one of the first tunes on my new Elise Hayden when she gets here next week! : )

Nice spirited playing! : )

I am waiting for my Elise to arrive on Tuesday, and I am very excited by it! I used to play a little Anglo and also tried English and Crane Duet, but in those days I think I tried to learn too many systems at the same time. Now the Elise will be my only concertina, for the time being at least!

Chris at Barleycorn Concertinas has very kindly ordered an Elise Concertina for me all the way from America, and also has one other in stock. Contact Chris for details if you want to try the Hayden system at a very reasonable price!

Nice

Love this!

A nice and useful list, Dan