MichaelF

And Bampton Glorishears? No that's dominant - answered my own question!!

And Bampton Glorishears?

Barfly will allow that but won't run on software later than OSX 10.6.8

ie this one http://sounds.bl.uk/View.aspx?item=025M-C0903X0169XX-0600V0.xml You're right "12345" - Heel and Toe Polka. Note the tune is played only in two parts. Here without much talking. http://sounds.bl.uk/View.aspx?item=025M-C0903X0169XX-0800V0.xml

This is a newspaper article!!!!!! It's meant to catch peoples attention so they will read it. Remember most readers of the paper won't know anything about Sharp or Kimber, but they now be prompted to find out more especially with the placement of the blue plaque. At least the owners of the property know a lot more. Sharp the 'godfather' of folk music; maybe some of us wouldn't use the term 'godfather', but then using this word may make some become curious to know more about him. In the 1970s/early 1980s I remember a central Oxford hotel used to have old photographs of Headington Quarry Morris on the walls. They were removed early 1980s? Did the owners realise what they were? I hope they did, but maybe not. This article raises historical awareness. I think that, for a newspaper, it conveys the 'facts' quite well and reasonably accurately.

Like I said - Try as I might, I can't do dots at all ... I just play it! The only 'measure' I ever knew was 'a pint' ...... and even that is denied me now Can anyone who knows the tune offer corrections please ??? Dave Are these the notes you play? I know the instrument and maybe speed aren't correct. Measures are bars on the European side of the pond. Could be confusing in pubs Jinky Wells 'Harvest Home'.mp3

My understanding of the system of whether you would pay any VAT on a concertina purchase depends on a number of factors. If you bought from a private individual or a non VAT registered person you would not pay VAT. If the instrument were second hand and VAT were charged, it should only be 20% of the difference between the seller's buying and net selling price. If the instrument were new, and VAT charged it would be 20% of the net selling price. If you paid VAT on your purchase and reclaimed it as suggested in a previous post, I don't know if this would trigger an alert to US customs! Life was much simpler before the advent of VAT ie pre 1973!!! If you see something you really want and can afford it buy it.

See http://www.concertina.net/wm_lachenal_dating.html There is an example with a serial number approx 400 later. 1897???

By the time I noticed your post the programme was not available on iPlayer. However I have often wondered how different does a tune have to be not to infringe copyright or be regarded as a different tune. Note my comment for Chris Drinkwaters's tune Angela's Waltz. Perfect Cure. I remember playing outside for an event in Kent some years ago and being asked beforehand what tunes would be played. All the tunes were amplified "traditional" morris tunes, but it was clear an organisation such as the Performing Rights Society was looking at what was being played - possibly with a view to obtaining money or a prosecution. At the time I found this slightly alarming. As an example using Morris tunes, Highland Mary from Oddington and from Bampton - similar tunes but would they be classed as different if one were copyright? Boys of the Bunch from Ascott and Orange in Bloom from Sherborne - not so similar. How would they be classed? Greensleeves from Stanton Harcourt - very different from the tune familiar to many people. How different does a tune need to be, to be another tune - at least legally?

But on the hand four bass one rows don't have the characteristic "grunt" of a four stop. All melodeons are different and to make things more complicated, unlike concertinas, all have at least a pair of reeds per note and the sound will depend on how these are tuned. As you are planning to do, try as many instruments as you can, or as many pints as you can afford! Remember you will generally be restricted to certain keys, usually G/D, without accidentals depending on the instrument, so that is one consideration if playing with others or singers. Probably the most transferable skill is the knowledge of tunes in your head. I don't have difficulty swapping between melodeon and english concertina.

For what it's worth - the excellent Mac program, Barfly, analyses this tune, which seems to be close to that which Fernando is playing, as G mixolydian with a very high level of confidence and no other alternative keys. It also analyses all the 5 variations of the the tune in the comments section as G mixolydian without an alternative key, in spite of the key for each being written as G major. To my ear I would say it stays in the same key throughout and it's not a major key.

I would presume what Alistair Anderson meant by ending a note with a button and not the bellows is that supposing you wish to play adjacent notes - one on push and one on pull on the same button - then you should lift the finger from the button between notes and not simply change the direction of the bellows. If you are learning it's easy not to remember to do this. This would apply to any type of concertina, but in particular to anglos and other diatonic instruments. ".....an Anglo is far more capable than an English". That sounds a start for a long discussion!

Thanks - I missed that, although I did have a quick search of C.net first.

That lachenal was recently discussed here on C.net

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/lachenal-concertina-very-rare-item-/150494455709?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Keyboard_RL&hash=item230a2b279d#ht_500wt_1153

A nice tune. The 'A' part sounds very close to the tune I know as 'The Perfect Cure', which is in 6/8 time.

A nice tune played in a Morris style, but isn't this 'a solution looking for a problem'? In my view the dance should come first, and a tune chosen or adapted to fit.

I am not sure a cobbler is the best person for advice on repairing concertinas unless he has a special interest in concertinas. The leather strips supplied by David Leese are very thin. Evostick and most modern bicycle patch adhesives are impact adhesives and I think you may have difficulty using these glues as well as cleaning the area afterwards. I lifted the bellows papers at the edges to allow the edges of the new leather underneath - PVA allows you to move and smooth the repair into position and then neatly clean it off. I've also used it for repairing gussets and internal strengthening. However I don't know if PVA is the 'right' or best glue to use, but it has worked to date and has allowed unobtrusive repairs. All the glue needs to do is attach one thin piece of leather to another with the minimum of bulk and the neatest way possible as well allowing a little flexibility.

You don't say whether you want sheet or wire or what you want it for - I assume sheet from previous replies. Try contacting http://www.spring-steel-strip.co.uk/ or http://springsteelstrip.co.uk/ Both sites look useful.

I have used leather from David Leese around the outside edges of the corners stuck with a weak PVA glue. It seems to work quite well and the leather strips are barely noticeable.

Isn't that a B below middle C on the right hand side making it two octaves plus two notes? Have you looked at the web page http://www.concertina.com/chambers/lachenal-production/index.htm. From the pictures on that page it doesn't look like a Lachenal, but a 32 button one is listed in their catalogue.

The other point of note is that it has a fewer buttons compared with a "standard" treble English concertina which has a total of 48 - even for a basic tutor model. I count 16 (including sharps/flats) instead of the usual 24, on the right side going from B to D just over 2 octaves. This appears to be a 32 button model. Check out this page http://www.concertina.com/chambers/lachenal-production/images/production-fig05.htm. Is the fact that it is unusual the reason you wish to buy it? As Theo says it could be an early model.

I know it's difficult to describe sounds. Could 4 be the sound of a valve - especially if it has become curved - hitting the wood as it seals the slot? Old or curved valves can be slow to move and I have found that this can cause an irritating 'plop'. Try replacing the appropriate valve with a new one.

Know anyone with a Mac? The Garage Band software which comes with all Macs has a nice built in tuner.

You have a tutor model English Concertina - each button should play the same note as the bellows are opened or closed. The white buttons correspond to the white notes on a piano and the black ones are the sharps and flats. The ones marked red are the C notes - the lowest on on the left is middle C. Your concertina is a Lachenal basic model, but has five fold bellows instead of the minimum of four. It appears from your photographs in reasonable condition, but if it hasn't been played recently it is likely to need tuning and possibly replacement pads and valves and checking for air leaks. There are 96 reeds so a complete tune might cost say £150 - £200. Also without hearing it or opening up it is impossible to know whether it has brass or steel reeds or what sort of condition it is in. Concertinas are fascinating instruments and the English is easy to learn to play (in my experience). Why not get it professionally checked out and repaired and then have a go at playing it yourself?