Randy Stein

I have an extensive repertoire of French and Italian music including of the mazurkas and waltzes. If it is the musette sound you desire you may find it from a diatonic instrument or an accordion. I wonder if you are looking not only for an instrument that will give you the sound you want but also the feel and style of the music. I suggest looking for a good music shop where you can play several different instruments and see what fits. rss

This is so cool. I will be in NYC for the week and have full intention of attending and bringing my box to jam. Thanks. rss

I am very familiar with most of Harold Arlen's music. He wrote quite a bit for the Marx Brothers plus many more. Here is a website to order the sheet music http://www.musicnote...p?ppn=MN0041476 rss

I have been following the string of discussion with some interest. I worked in the entertainment business most of my life (started when I was 10). 35 years ago BI (before Internet) you would hustle your photos and flyers and cassettes for gigs around where ever and to whomever you could. Then there was video and everyone wanted a video photo of you and a performance. It was all very costly and time consuming. Then along comes this thing called the internet and voila! Instant promotional outlet and it is virtually free! Facebook and Youtube are natural venues for self-promotion. It is the easiest way to share your music and build an audience and community of musicians. And the networking value is priceless. Prior to this the only way I was aware of other free reed musicians was playing at festivals or sessions. And since folk and traditional were not my specialty my world was minimized. Now I have discovered and am in touch with some of the most interesting and astounding people and musicians from all over the world. If the concertina is to survive I will share all the music and sounds people want. Let them copy me and play what I do as much as possible. Hell I'll be dead one day and someone has to keep it going. rss

Here is the website for info: http://fsgw.org/myorgnet/public.php If I get my rear in gear and the weather is cooperates I'll be by. rss

Dirge, The free reeds are not accepted instruments but often preferred and taught in music programs throughout Japan and China. Here in DC there are often musicians and groups from Asia who perform with Accordions and concertinas, especially the English system, at the Millennium Stage at Lincoln center as well as various Embassy celebratory events. rss

I will tell you a true story: I had the gift of being a musician on stage for the Broadway show Carmelina written by Alan J Lerner and Jules Stein,directed by Jose Ferrer, starring Georgia Brown and Cesare Siepi. It was a real clunker and closed after 7 weeks. I opened and closed the show playing solo the theme song "Its Time for a Love Song" then the orchestra would strike up as I walked into the wings. On the third performance of the show I had a brain glitch and as I walked onto the stage forgot the music. I played whatever note my fingers touched. I am not even sure it was the same key as written. However, on que, the orchestra came in and the audience was none the wiser to my mistake. rss

It was Miles Davis who said "Do not fear mistakes...there are none" He was also fond of saying "Don't play whats there, play whats not there" rss

Brevity is the soul of wit. -Shakespeare-

I recently performed in a group who accompanied soprano Denise Smythe performing some light opera pieces by Kurt Weill and Rudolf Friml. I took a piano reduction of the piece and arranged this for EC. It was written by Friml in 1913. rss

Attached is one of the finest musicians and arranger I know, Rodger French. We met as entertainers at the Worlds Fair in 1982 and have been fast friends ever since. I know it is not a concertina but he plays very similar to Serge Matueswich. He performs with a female Cowgirl group "Cowboy Envy". This is from one of their performances. rss

I couldn't agree more. I used to play several brass instruments and played them in a musical acrobatic comedy act I did for years. Eventually I dedicated myself to practice and play the EC and eventually stopped playing the other instruments because not only was I no longer progressed in proficiency but my interest and playing regressed. Never regretted my decision either. rss

I've played Miles Davis "So What" and 'Freddie the Freeloader" for some straight ahead jazz stuff. I am working on a Stevie Wonder tune "All In Love is Fair" as well as "Places" by the Beatles. Sometimes the stuff works and sometimes, while fun to play, just doesn't translate well. My friend Rodger French's group does the most amazing hard driving arrangement of "Born To Run" for piano accordion I have heard to date. rss

Ochen Harasho! rss

I am looking to purchase an ebony ended 56 button Tenor Treble Wheatstone English Concertina. I had one some years ago and now wish to own one again. I prefer one in good condition, with a history of who did what to it when. Please let me know if you hear of an availability of one. rss

While I am not a copyright attorney, the advise I received was to always make sure that credits are given and that it is not used for sale or profit. If you do decide to use a copyrighted piece you must receive permission from the copyright house and in some cases pay a fee or royalty. http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/policies/copyrite.htm rss

Very Nice. Look forward to the finished rendition. rss

I have arthritis in my shoulders and elbows from a previous injury. When my hands begin to tire or hurt I soak in warm water with sea or epsom salts. I also rub on traumeel or tiger balm and if it is a really bad day I will take a couple of advil for arthritis. However for best results I periodically get acupuncture which reduces the pain and swelling for a time. I swear by it. rss

sounds v Cherbourgy! - Wot box u playing - Anglo (buttons, key ?) English? please. I only play English

I have performed and still do to some extent on a stage. In some cases moving around the stage. When I played on a large stage (Broadway and concert halls) they have an existing sound system that is multi-directional and easily picked up the sound. The trick was to reduce some of the treble and bring in more Bottom to resonate properly. Recently we played on a small stage with a pretty poor sound system. In those cases I have a lavaliere mike that attaches to my shirt and does a pretty good job of picking up the instruments sound. My one downfall is that I tend to move the instrument around so the sound sometimes misses the mike. But this seems to work pretty good. Of course then the quality of the sound board is another issue... rss

I was taught to play the English Concertina through violin étude studies that also stressed bow technique and phrasing. I developed a style of playing using bellows, like a bow on a violin, to effect and in some cases define the phrasing and arrangement of a piece. When I work a tune out or playing I am always aware of the phrasing and bellow direction and placement in relation to the bars of music or musical phrase being played. I play English so whether the bellows are moving in or out does not determine the notes but the breathe and nuances of the piece being played. For me the breathing, hearing the notes and sounds of the instrument, the feel of the touch of the buttons, the movement of the bellows, even the smell of my case when I open it all have an emotional impact and define how and what I play. Once you have organized and committed to the notes on the page, the nuanced responses develop the sound coming from the soul of your instrument. rss

How about some Greenday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQx9y3qFky0&feature=related While some of this is just plain silly and maybe not the best, the effort is there. rss

One of the groups I play in, Ein Lanu Z'man, performed yesterday to a well attended standing room only concert. We performed for one hour to an audience that had at least 50 children in the attendance. People sang along, clapped, and at one point started to dance. The spontaneity of the moment was lead by the inhibitions of the children to join in as the music moved them. Eventually the adults followed their lead. We did not necessarily do anything different in out song list other than maybe keep the tempo a little more upbeat (less ballads more rhythmic tunes). It was a most satisfying gig and do to the enthusiasm of the kids more than anything. Just saying... rss

"What is best in music is not to be found in the notes" - Gustav Mahler and "We hide ourselves in our music to reveal ourselves" -Jim Morrison rss

In my day I have arranged some Billy Joel and Paul Simon and of course the Beatles. Also some Miles Davis and Gilberto and Ellington. I did not even think about Mad World. Great tune. Also some of the Ballads of Greenday and Rage Against the Machine. One man's contemporary is another man's history. rss