Barry J

Googled it and: http://209.161.37.11/cgi-bin/audio.pl?currag02.wav=curragh

I think its cu-ra-cks

Contacted the Music Room yesterday. Waiting to see if they can get me a spring, so I can repair it myself.

I've seen different makes and models of concertina specified with different number of bellow folds. What are the pro's and con's of numbers of folds - is more better and why ?

Thanks Theo. So they are just punched into the plywood base like a nail - not glued at all ?? one leg into the wood for mounting, one leg outstretched to tension against and one leg curled around the key lever ? Will the mounting leg be attached well enough, if it just uses the the same hole vacated by the broken one ??

How easy is it to remove a damaged spring and replace it with another ?? Looking at the reed pan, its quite hard to see how the spring is attached. See attached photograph.

In the UK. I don't think they offer the trade-up's here as they do in the States.

I see a lot of posts prescribing that aspiring concertina players should start with a Rochelle. I bought a Rochelle. What is the next step up, assuming that one is now familiar with the button layout of the Rochelle. I'm in the UK, so am interested in what range of instruments would be open to somebody like myself, as a follow-on to the Rochelle. The Rochelle is about £300-400 in the UK, so what is the next price step ??

Unfortunately, my Rochelle Anglo has developed a fault after only 2 months. One of the keys refuses to spring out again. I have opened the end of the unit by undoing the screws and lifting the end off. The fault is caused by a fractured spring on that key. I bought the unit from the Music Room in Cleckheaton in the UK, so have contacted them for a solution. The unit should still be under warranty, so we will see what transpires. I'm feeling slightly miffed as this means no playing for a while...

Very nice, Chris. I can't play by ear - any chance of getting the music written down ?

I saw it last night for the second time - its a 60 minute programme, so a bit cumbersome for downloads.

Hi Rosie, I also live in the UK and bought myself a Rochelle about a month or two ago. At the time, I bought a lot of teach yourself books and a DVD on Irish Trad Music. I've only scratched the surface with them so far, but i might come back and finish them off as I progress. I'm really having too much fun to read them from cover to cover. There is a very useful booklet that comes with the Rochelle.

Sometimes when I'm playing, I notice that the note makes a metallic reverberating sound instead of the usual clear note sound. Its not there all the time. I try a few things like moving the bellows or using more or less air and it goes. Have you seen it before ? I don't know if its a Rochelle thing or something to do with my playing.

Thanks guys. Another that I've found and like, but am having trouble tracking sheet music down for is "Bunclody".

I've found that I really enjoy haunting tunes like "the Curragh of Kildare" and "Her Mantle So Green". Are there any other recommendations in the same vein from your wide knowledge of folk music ??

I've been playing the anglo for a few weeks and notice that my left index finger tip now has a dead spot of numbness. Has anybody else experienced this ? Is it normal; it is just while the fingers toughen up ?

Thanks for the responses. Taken on board and I'll give it a go.

I can play them at an even slow speed, but my thinking time is preventing them getting quick enough.

I'm a beginner and am learning with an Anglo C/G 30 button Rochelle. I have many of the books and DVD etc, but am otherwise self taught. I play from sheet music and find myself able to play slow airs, etc, but what I am now finding is that I am hitting the "wall", concerning speed. How do you ever get fast enough to play jigs and reels ??

Hi. I'm also new (to the forum and concertina). I bought a Rochelle on the advice from the forum and have been pleased with it. I also have the iPod app that you are referring to, but find it very frustrating to use - the real thing is easier.