Gary Chapin

Hello, As we go into the holiday season just want to draw everyone's attention to the concertina shirts and swag I've designed. I've got anglo, English, and duet versions, and they all come in a variety of styles and forms. Thanks very much! https://accordeonaire.threadless.com/ Concertinas are good for humans! Gary

I don't play for dances often, but when I do it's French or Breton music. I wrote a poem about playing for dancers. https://medium.com/scrittura/form-of-a-dance-19ebe439de95?sk=564d3e205e38ebd7639e4cc2a1c272e7 Cheers

Thank you. I am envious of your Chalumeau!

Hello, folks, I have been orbiting planet concertina.net for years. Back around 2010, folks from here helped me transcribe a French tunebook from the 1930s. I didn't ask them. They just did it! But I've been tangential because I'm an accordion player who, though I started squeezing on the concertina, never stuck with that. Well, some months I was offered a Morse concertina for a very reasonable price. I said yes, and now I am a concertina player--no longer tangential! I've lurked here a lot, and invited you all to the Free Reed Liberation Orchestra, when we've had new projects, and I've been reading stuff here forever. So, I'm planting my flag a little more formally. Thanks for being here. Good Lord I love playing (and singing with) my Morse. I might have to rename my blog. Thanks, Gary Chapin

Hello, everybody,I'm not sure of the origin of the congo in Bal Musette dance or its retro fitting into Bal Folk circles. Le Marin Congo is a set I learned from Steve Gruverman (who also transcribed the tunes for me) and they seem to me to be an uncomplicated good time.https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xKbT5Ab27As1eJQc0gu_6OoMhnlOa4Fb?usp=sharingThe sheet music, guide track, and instructions for doing FRLO are there. Do as you wilt, and thanks everyone as we begin the THIRD year of our insane FRLO venture.Deadline is October 9.Let me know if you are in. My email is garyparkerchapin@gmail.comGary

Enjoy!

Great, David! I will not jump the deadline. Anything up to the 13th is great.

Hello, friends, here I am re-emerging with a desire to revive the Free Reed Liberation Orchestra!I've fallen in love with this Alsatian branle, L'horrible Shleck (The Horrible Snail), and thought it sounded perfect for the FRLO.The guide track and sheet music are here:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1djT7Rw-Gltouj70P-XvjGyi3Mw024Ksc?usp=sharingWhen you make your recordings (audio or video), just drop them back into that same folder. Please no one accidentally delete the guide track or sheet music.I'm not going to put any restrictions on what people submit, but I will point out that the last project had nearly 30 tracks and definitely tested the limits of my amateur producer skill and comfort. Have mercy?I would love if you all could indicate below if you are interested or not. Deadline for submission is 3 weeks from tomorrow, July 13.Thanks, everyone. The FRLO has been one of the high points of the last two years.Gary

Hey, folks, just to let you know there's a sale happening over at my shop: https://accordeonaire.threadless.com/ Got specific English, Anglo, and Suet material. Thank you!

Thanks, everyone, these were super helpful. We had our first gig, and it was recorded. While playing the gig I felt "okay" with my playing, but hearing the recording, it actually sounded very okay. David's second point -- about mirroring the melody during the "down" parts -- was very on point! What I discovered is that, apparently, my model for accompanying is Dave Swarbick. I could pick worse role models! I also noticed that playing for another singer is VERY DIFFERENT from playing for yourself singing. You all are great, Gary

I would be willing to make this happen, but the time for shipping would be double because I would have it sent to me, and then I would send it to you.

Hello, I've done some more free reed graphic design around the theme "Concertinas are Good for Humans." I've made three concertina designs (Anglo, English, and Duet) and two accordion designs. Information about all of these (and how to get them) can be found here: https://accordeonaire.com/2021/12/04/free-reeds-are-good-for-humans-new-designs-from-the-accordeonaire-shop/ Tee shirts, hoodies, coffee mugs, etc. Thanks very much, Gary

Hey, folks, I've recently started playing with a singer who is asking me to do more improvised obbligato behind her singing. I'm finding it pretty hard! Improvising is not a skill set I've developed. Any advice on how I might get better at this? (Other than, "Very carefully!") Thanks Gary

I love that, Howard.

There are actually five concertina tracks on this month's orchestra piece, but Howard submitted four tracks (SABT), so even though he's only seen once, all four tracks are in the audio. https://accordeonaire.com/2021/10/13/the-return-of-the-free-reed-liberation-orchestra/ Enjoy this, and do know that you are invited to join in next time! Thanks Gary