FatBellows

I love my Rochelle. I could almost give up my guitar for her. She plays very nicely thank you and the awkward sounds she sometimes issues are entirely the fault of her squeezer. Rochelle doesn't sing as sweetly as the higher-priced instruments (at least in my ear), but since I only play out on my back porch and never perform in public, she's able to carry the tune to my satisfaction. I'd only feel compelled to upgrade if I were going to perform publicly. And even then, really only just because I love to acquire new instruments. We have NO irish music in this corner of the state. None. No sessions. Nothing. So nobody here'd know the difference anyway. I'd buy a Tedrow - but for the mortgage and wife and all....

Read This Thread and watch the lights start flashing.

Alan, everybody loves you. Your recordings are wonderful. I'm just to lazy to post every time. And it'd be rather redundant and not much fun for everyone else to read.

Nope. Being a lefty, I don't find that they build musical instruments and tools backwards really matters. It's only the writing tablets with a binding on the wrong edge that bother me - the binding gets in the way of my hand. We just have to compromise to encourage the backward handed.

If that link won't work, Try this one instead: EdgleyBlog I think Frank's work is beautiful in all respects; they sound as wonderful as they look. Everybody should buy one right away

Wonderful. Charming. That was a fun listen.

The clip is a FLV (flash video) file. It's served to your browser from the source server and is intended to be streamed directly to viewing - not downloaded. However, if you look about, there are several readily available browser add-ons that will allow one-click downloading of these files. It's the same as with Youtube videos. Since you're using a MAC, I have no idea as to the name of the addon for your browser, but your favorite software sources should know...

94 Via Dei Mille Curiously, the address, which is a valid location in Sicily, is reported to be a Women's Clothing Shop. Oddly, it's listed as being owned by one Salvatore Melluso. The Pizzaria Del Capitano is next door. Does anyone want to bet that "P Melluso" once worked in the back of the clothing shop, spent luchtime next door eating pizza and playing on an odd-looking instrument vaguely like an accordion? Now all you need is a CNET member who lives in the vicinity who can pop over and see if there's someone building concertinas out back (or possibly upstairs) in a shop. Do we have any volunteers for a trip to Sicily?

I thought it was awesome! Quit beating up on yourself! How many people can make music on a concertina eh! Farion Bravisimo! It takes a lot of guts to put that out there. You're ahead of the class! Over the Rainbow is a classic and you're well on the way to a top-notch performance. Keep playing it. The other two I don't know at all - but you sounded good to me.

Why angry? Seems like a perfectly reasonable and accurate statement to me. Most non-concertina players will probably encounter a concertina, directly or indirectly, maybe once a year, and even then will probably not register it at a conscious level. In my whole life, I'd never seen a concertina anywhere but Disney cartoons. Until I decided to buy one this last summer. Then I had to travel 280 miles to find it. To call concertinas rare is fair. Sad, but fair. If we could just replace all the worlds' autoharps with concertinas....

Go visit Smythe's Accordion Center in Oakland. The owner will provide plenty of advice, hours of conversation, and you can play with the concertinas in the shop. It's fun and informative. I bought my Rochellel there late in August. It's replaced my guitar as a daily obsession. The hands-on experience will be invaluable in your decision process and will also elminate any doubt after a purchase. Whether or not it drives you crazy depends on how crazy you already are This site has a number of threads on the subjects of what's best; debate on notations vs ear-playing, Anglo vs English vs Duet, et.al. My opinion is it doesn't matter. Jump in. You'll learn what works for you and quickly abandon those things which don't.

I'm so slow on the uptake, I thought these "errors" were there on purpose.

The link works for me. Now I can check every day for a posting about the completion and shipment of my free Edgley Concertina .

Having never used Ebay for anything, I'm curious what for you is the dead giveaway on this one. Aside from the noxious bit about "having the money", I don't see what makes this one a definite scam -

I believe our forum administrator has wisely prevented/restricted uploading of files of any TYPE which could contain an active viruse; both OpenOffice and MSOffice (Excel) contain within the document structure the ability to store self-executing programming. Attachments are one of the primary methods of spreading viruses. To share your files - go to Google Docs and create yourself an account. Then upload your Openoffice file into Docs and then you can post a link to the file here. The link will be harmless to forum users but those wishing to go ahead and trust you can open the spreadsheet with their own account.

Simple solution - go up to Oakland and visit Smythe's Accordion Center. It's a good place to try out the various types of concertina. There's always somebody to talk to and lots of cool stuff too. The place is so enthusing, I'm even considering an accordion purchase now.... I bought my Rochelle there. It was worth the 280 mile drive - saved me a lot of dithering about considering the same points you've put up throughout this thread... I had no experience with concertinas prior to my visit, I'd never even seen one in the wild; they're extinct this far north. But after trying the models in the shop, I quickly made up my mind. Since I couldn't afford a Tedrow or an Edgley, the choices got really simple really fast...

Never, ever, underestimate what you need in an instrument. Buy the best you can find funds for; anything less will be a disappointment - probably sooner rather than later. But don't let the notion that a cheaper instrument is not worth having enter into your mind. It's better to have a cheap concertina than to have none. For all but the most self-important elitist types, a little showmanship and enthusiasm with a cheap instrument can produce a better performance than an uninspired, perfectly played tune on the best of equipment. Never, ever, underestimate your potential ability. Assume you are a future grand master; anything less will leave you open to discouragement and eventually, to quitting. You need to persevere during those inevitable moments when you feel overwhelmed and as if this thing is too difficult. Learning to play is worth the invested time and effort!

I would agree heartily with Daniel - Go to Smythe's. It's a great little place, chock full of accordions and concertinas, including the Rochelle. The owner is full of advice and will allow you to test (fondle desirously) any instrument in the place. He's also got some great old records and other stuff to look through. I spent about three hours there. Can't wait for an excuse to go back.... i

My hands reach all 5 buttons on the C and G rows of my Rochelle when playing melody. I suspect it's like figuring when to move out of position on the guitar - you'll know when you have to based on the sequence of notes before and after. When you can't tie any more knots in your fingers, it's time to shift position.

I like the new look. Big Applause for Paul just in keeping the sight open, let alone modern. Now if I can just catch up.

I picked up a concertina for the first time about 4 months ago - after doing just what you have; reading and asking questions and agonizing over which instrument to buy for weeks beyond sense. Then I drove the 280 miles to the nearest concertina/accordion dealer (Smythes' in Oakland, CA). I spent two hours playing with the concertinas in that shop and I'm glad I did. I bought the Rochelle because for me it simply sounded and felt better than the Stagis in the shop. I've been in love ever since. My advice is just go for it. Don't worry about "best" or "investment" values; if your daughter falls in love with the Rochelle now, she'll probably find a way to obtain a higher level instrument if she needs too. Otherwise, she'll already have her "best" instrument. And the only instruments that provide "the best value" are the ones that are loved, because they get played.

I'm trying to write out Ravel's "Bolero" for the Anglo as I go. It's been a challenge to capture the essence of the various parts within the limits of my abilities....

>>I Think I can safely say we're ALL dying to see pics! >>It's not worth anything. You should pack it a box and ship it to me postage paid so that I can dispose of it for you before you are forced to pay regulatory fines imposed on owners of such hazardous materials. (Actually, I bet the more knowledgeable folks here will have a real good value worked up by morning. But you could still send it to me anyway...)

Ho-Ho! Struck a nerve there. Really, I was just kidding - I can't say all Stagis suck as I've only played with the two that were in the shop the day I bought the Rochelle. I'm actually glad to finally read a positive comment on them from someone. It seems everyone else is eager to pan them; it's an easy target. Somebody want to say the Rochelles suck"? It'll be broadswords at noon. If you can't have the concertina you love, love the concertina you have.