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I will be performing at the USDA Farmers Market in Washington, DC on Friday May 20th from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Come by and say hello and enjoy a great outdoor event.

In preparation of World Concertina Day on Feb 6th, here on the East Coast of North America, a couple dozen players are working on and submitting videos for an Online Concertina Concert. So far, the submissions show a diversity of styles, concertinas, and music. Everything from trad to classical to jazz. I am impressed by the incredibly inventive and truly inspiring musicianship. On a personal note, I am rehearsing and recording for my own mini concert. After almost two years of isolation it feels wonderful to have a project that lets me collaborate and create. Great to play again with friends and bandmates. You don't know what you got till it's gone.

Here is a recording that I did the other day using a Jackie English concertina and my Martin 000-28 Eric Clapton acoustic guitar. I double-tracked all the instruments to sweeten the sound. Although I have other, more expensive ECs, I have to say that I'm very pleased with the recorded sound of the Jackie. The lesser known tune was written by the late Malcolm Sircom and comes from his musical "Ebenezer". If you watch the video to the end you will hear how well the tunes work when superimposed. Thanks for watching Les

One of my students asked me to do a simple arrangement for her of this tune from 1967 by Bob Thiele and George Weiss and Made famous by Louis Armstrong. Of course I added a few extra chords. I also have a new camera and working on making a video with it. Kids still learning... All just for fun

Listen to Yesterdays By Jerome Kern by Randy Stein 1 on #SoundCloud https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/CbztY from the 1933 musical "Roberta". Music written by Jerome Kern. Arranged polyphonically for the EC.

A good friend suggested I start a blog of what it means to play the EC. I offer to all some irrelevant and not always accurate historical facts about playing and performing on the EC. The thoughts are my own and I take full responsibility in sharing them with you. This is my most recent posting: https://concertinaguy.medium.com/playing-jazz-9546117d947f

HYMNES À L'AMOUR Songs of Love and Hope for the New Year Performed and arranged for solo English Concertina. Thursday, Dec 31st 6:00PM EST in US (may start a little later). GMT-5:00 https://happyholidayopolis.com/event-schedule/

Based on the classic gypsy jazz standard Bossa Dorado by Dorado Schmitt. I had a dream that my group played this as a tango. Woke up and played it as I heard it. I used the recording app Soundtrap to record a rhythm and then lead. Listen to Tango Dorado EC by user827948939 on #SoundCloud https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/j56b

Moonlight In Vermont Written by Karl Suessdorf in 1944 Needed an election distraction.

Gypsy Jazz Jamm Porch Concert Featuring Lezards Des Salon Sunday, Oct 18th. 3:00-4:30 pm 1109 Crestwood Drive Alexandria, VA Facemasks and Social Distancing Apply No charge

Harbour Lights by Hugh Williams. 1937 (same year my Wheatsone was made).

I am very fortunate to have studied with both Boris and Sergei Matueswitch. The method that Boris used to teach is invaluable and I use the same method and materials he did to teach. It stands the test of time and my students can offer testimony to it. That said, all of his music was hand written. Many of my students have a lot of difficulty with the hand written music. So recently I've been using the program MuseScore and notating his music in a printed format. I've primarily focused on music for my students and a few for some more advanced players I know that appreciate the challenge. I've attached one of the tunes for beginners. His music, hand written, is available to all. MACK THE KNIFE noted version.pdf

Gypsy Jazz Jam Porch Concert on Aug 30th. Excuse the misspelling on YouTube. Auto spell.

Gypsy Jazz Jam Porch Concert When: Sunday August 30th 3:00 - 4:30 Where: 1109 Crestwood Drive, Alexandria,VA James Key and James "Bo" Boberg - Guitars Stephen Barrett - Upright Bass Randy Stein - English Concertina Seating is limited so bring your portable chairs. Mask wearing and social distancing apply and required. This concert is free to the public

At the insistence of my good friend Jim Besser, after a hiatus of some 30 years, I've started teaching the the English Concertina again. I was fortunate to have both Boris and Sergei Matueswitch as my mentors and their method for teaching and learning was and still is invaluable and for me, proven. I've started with a handful of students who are part of the Northeast Squeeze-In and consist of some new players and some who are more advanced. All are enthusiastic. A couple of observations, I've noticed some habits I find slow their playing. First is how one holds the instrument. The thumbs and pinky should be perpendicular and elbows in. So many let the Concertina lean forward or just rest on the knee with open bellows which puts strain on the wrists and arms. Not to mention a strain on the bellows. It also effects bellow movement which is the next issue. Proper holding of the instrument (balance) and posture should be maintained allowing one to play relaxed and make sure you're breathing (also essential). This allows bellow movent to happen naturally without pushing and pulling with the arms. It also allows for better bellow control for phrasing in playing regardless of the type of music played. I'm sure there has been a lot of previous discussion and forums on this but I know what I know and what has proven successful for students and teachers alike. Onward...

This was recently sent to me by a close friend who is decluttering. I believe it's from one of my early classical recitals. I shared the program with my very talented accompanist, Sarah Renberg. The Webster Apartments were a swanky established westside building with a large room for parties, concerts, recitals etc held for the tenants and their guests. I remember it had a beautiful Steinway Grand piano in the room. It's been years since I've performed classical concerts and recitals. But I enjoyed working on and playing this repertoire. first recital program.pdf

2Many Buttons consists of Jim Besser on Anglo Concertina and Randy Stein on English Concertina. This is from a virus compliant distance rehearsal today in my condo complex.

Fellow Squeezers: In spite of my distain for recording myself or performing in public, friends in the U.S., Canadian, and British concertina community have encouraged me (given that many of the “older” players are passing -but I’m only 70) to post some audio or video of my playing. So I've set up a non-commercial, non-revenue, Youtube channel with some of my English Concertina playing (none are studio recordings, just older sound and video files casually playing alone or with friends). I’m self-taught (began with a Lachenal English in 1973), and for the most part have played in isolation, which may account for my distinct quirks (style?). I may at some point do some new original recordings and videos. I do have sheet music for some of the tunes played and would be glad to email it for free. Enjoy the recordings and feel free to share or pass them on. Requests for sheet music at: braeburnmusic1028@gmail.com —-Matt Heumann “Matt’s Concertina” channel on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ39yMkIbV7fAKF0IV4qpaQ

Inspired by Gegor Maekic's solo performance of this tune I decided to post a live performance of the same. From the the 1959 Musical Sound of Music by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. DC Ambiance: Buco and Bill Parmentier - Acoustic Guitar Alex Nowack - Upright Bass Me - Wheatstone English Concertina

Last night I received a call from the owner of a restaurant I'll call Jim (not his real name). They are reopening with service in the patio area only and wanted me to play one or two evenings. He assured me they are taking all the required precautions . While I derive some income from playing and performing, I am retired now and live comfortably off my pension and SS benefits. I do miss performing and playing my music in public. I've recently arranged some new tunes and reworked some others and want to get out there and play. But I am in a susceptible age group and after a recent heart procedure need to be even more vigilant in taking all the precautions to stay healthy and safe for me and my family. So what to do? I know what my decision will be but what would you do?

"Charade" is a sad lonely Parisian waltz with music by Henry Mancini and lyrics by Johnny Mercer performed in the 1963 film of the same name starring by Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. It was nominated that year for the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Performed and arranged for Solo English Concertina. https://soundcloud.com/randy-stein-1/charade-by-henry-mancini-m4a

I just got hired to play music via zoom for a private dinner. 45 minutes and pay isn't too bad. We live in desperate times when someone needs to hire a Concertina player virtually.

J'AI Ta Main written by Charles Trenet 1937. While the chording seems simple the fingering is really tricky in places. I've been on a Trenet kick since I've been sequestered in our condo. https://youtu.be/JPyb9ANxFlo

Written by Francis Lai in 1966 as the theme song for the French film of the same title. I love the unique richness of the chord movement and his haunting theme.

Bésame Mucho ("Kiss me a lot") is a song written in 1940 by Mexican songwriter Consuelo Velázquez