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Hi y'all! I just recently got a 20-key CG Anglo and I'm looking to start taking lessons. I would love to be able to take in person lessons, but am also more than willing to go online. I'm looking to have lessons maybe 2 to 3 times a month, and am interested in learning on all subjects, from playing the instrument itself to theory and anything in between. I'm located in Gallatin County, Montana US. Please message me if you offer lessons/know where I could look for some. Thanks!

I offer lessons to all levels who wish to learn and improve playing the English Concertina. Lessons are online via Zoom and I supply all music needed prior to a lesson. If you want info send a message through Cnet. On a different note (pun intended) I recently took a few lessons from a violinist for help on a specific piece of music I wanted to learn. The time spent was invaluable and I learned more than I had expected. I am convinced time spent with someone who can mentor your musical skills is, in my opinion, incredibly important to one's ability to increase not only musical skills but help with increasing one's ability to learn and create a musical repertoire. Or as my bubbe used to say "it couldn't hurt"

Hey, I'd love to learn the concertina and surprise my family when I go back to Ireland. I'm a total beginner and can be a quick learner with the right teacher. Can anyone advise of group classes or tutors. Thanks

Hi all, I'm brand-new and looking to learn the concertina (goal is to be competent with Irish music, shanties, and some American folk). I've purchased a "Wren 2" Anglo C/G 30-key concertina from McNeera, and am slowly going through the accompanying videos - but it's been a long time since I've learned an instrument, and to be honest it's been very slow going just getting a handle on scales, let alone anything further. I'm just too rusty with teach yourself strategies, and would like a little push to get me going. To that end, I was wondering if anyone knew a concertinist in the Washington, DC area that might be able to take on a very beginner for some start up lessons? Keeping in mind appropriate coronavirus-mitigation, of course. Thanks so much!

Teaching Anglo concertina lessons at home and on skype all over the globe has been a continuing pleasure. My students come to me for a variety of reasons and I try to figure out just what they need to get the most out of the customized lessons I offer. A recent example... Some friends of mine in the theater recommended me to Doug Shapiro. He asked me to teach him how to play a few concertina songs for a theater production, now in rehearsal. He described it as “an audience immersion Avant-Garde show” ... well alright! His theater company had bought him a pretty little vintage red East German Anglo 20 button box for $50 off ebay. Doug fondly named it “Tchotchke Rosie” but he had no idea how to play it. Doug is an actor and singer with a high school level of musical training. He sent me three guitar and vocal audio recordings of proposed original songs. I agreed to meet him for a lesson at my studio here in Brooklyn, New York, to help him join the band for his new show. I thought that this effort was unlikely to work out, given the limitations of a 20 button ebay instrument, but you never know. When I tried his “Tchotchke Rosie” I was in despair. So crude, so out of tune and a high D/A tuning to boot. I told him that it was unlikely this junk box concertina would work, but I would give it a try and started in playing along with the audio tracks on his red junker. Amazing! It sounded pretty good and the keys they were playing in made the D/A box actually easier than a C/G would ever be. I made him some paper arrangements on the spot and sent him home to practice. A few days later, Doug had done his homework and could plausibly play complex chords along with the recordings. He impressed his fellow thespians in rehearsal and they decided that Doug should sing and play solo for some additional intermission entertainment. His plan, he told me, was to sing a few well known Christmas songs... in Yiddish. Oy vay! Sounds strange, but that’s what they are into. Apparently, Doug has done this sort of thing before, though he’s not Jewish and does not speak Yiddish. Check out his performance of the country classic “Your Cheating Heart.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLkV_QO8fqE So now, I have had a few more lessons with Doug and he’s a natural concertina player. He knows how to deliver a song, and for him, the concertina just fits right in without effort. I’ve just made him charts for “Walking In a Winter Wonderland” and “Feliz Navidad.” I’m sure he will do fine, singing his Yiddish translations of these fine Christmas classics.

Celtic Crossings and Celtic Tours World Vacations proudly present Dr Gearoid’s 2017 Irish History and Heritage Tour August 1-10, 2017 (10 DAYS) ~Living History and Heritage~Music~Archeology~Natural History~Cultural Traditions~ Professor Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin, born in Ennis, County Clare, is a leading Irish ethnomusicologist, author, musician and historian specialising in Irish music, diaspora, cultural and memory studies. A 5-time All Ireland Champion uilleann piper and concertina player, Gearóid has presented over 1,000 concerts on 4 continents during the past 30 years. A prolific writer and tenured university professor, he is also a producer of The Clare Tracin’ Ensemble and a former member of Ireland’s legendary Kilfenora Céilí Band. CLICK HERE: RESERVATION FORM: Dr Gearoid’s History and Heritage Tour of Ireland Aug 1-10, 2017 Or EMAIL US TODAY! CelticTours World Vacations’ Custom Tour # 89841 Irish History and Heritage Tour Highlights–· Travel with Ireland’s noted cultural historian, author and award-winning traditional musician · Meet locals and enjoy expert-led excursions · Discover spectacular natural beauty · Enjoy nightly musical sessions and private recitals · Explore a living history and heritage of Ireland, dating to the mesolithic period · Immerse yourself in rich culture and heritage · Explore Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way (Galway, Clare, Limerick, Mayo, Connemara and Kerry) · Enjoy nightly musical sessions and recitals TIME TO EXPLORE· Learn about the extraordinary events of 1916, which placed Ireland on the road to independence from Britain · Stand at the edge of the 702 foot high Cliffs of Moher · Walk around the semi circular stone fort of Dún Aonghasa, on the island of Inis Mór. · Imagine the Irish who lived at the hilltop from c.1500 BC · Visit the castle of the Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley · Spend time in Craggaunowen – a interactive heritage site revealing Irish life in the Iron Age · Engage with ancient Irish archaeology at Caherconnell Stone Fort–which dates to Viking invasions · Encounter dramatic shadows of the Great Famine (1850) –which caused a million deaths and a million to across the ocean MAGNIFICENT NATURAL SCENERY· Experience the breathtaking Burren karst landscape–a cracked lunar bedrock of glacial-era limestone, with cliffs and caves, fossils and rock formations · Ponder the iconic megalithic tomb at Poulnabrone dating from the Neolithic period–one of Ireland’s most photographed archaeological sites · Climb the gravelly incline of Ireland’s sacred mountain, Croagh Patrick, or rest at Teach na Miasa visitor centre to watch others follow in St Patrick’s footsteps · Wind around the Ring of Kerry –beautiful mountains, lakes and hidden vistas · Explore archaeological monuments along the Dingle Peninsula, which National Geographic Traveler once described as “the most beautiful place on earth.” · Behold the 1200-year-old Gallarus Oratory–an early Christian stone church and rare prehistoric Fahan Beehive Huts · Cruise along the majestic River Corrib onto Lough Corrib, the Irish Republic’s largest lake, past castles and various sites of historical and cultural interest ENJOY LOCAL IRISH COMMUNITIES· Learn useful Irish expressions– the oldest spoken language in western Europe · Step out for a traditional dance or try your hand at learning a simple tune on the traditional whistle · Meet members of the Kilfenora Céilí Band–Ireland’s oldest continually surviving dance band · Explore Galway City, European Capital of Culture (2020) · Meet local artists and craft designers · Be welcomed as a royal visitor at Bunratty Castle’s famed medieval banquet and theatrical performance · Visit Claddagh Village–inspiration for the timeless Claddagh Ring · Savor locally sourced cuisine and perhaps try your hand at scavenging for nutritional seaweed · And much more! See the complete itinerary and your reservation form PROFESSIONAL TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS provided by CelticTours World Vacations (Albany, NY) CLICK HERE FOR RESERVATION FORM CONTACT · Jeanne Orenstein, Celtic TourS (Albany, NY) · 518-862-0042 x310 Email: jeanneo@celtictours.com · EMAIL US TODAY! CelticTours World Vacations’ Custom Tour # 89841 RATES INCLUDE:· 9 nights hotel accommodations · 9 full breakfast daily (except day of arrival) · 4 hotel dinners plus Bunratty Castle Banquet · Admissions: · Cragganowen · Quin Abbey · Bunratty Folk Park · Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre · Caherconnell Fort & Sheepdog demonstration · Aran Island Ferry and island tour to Dun Aonghasa · Kylemore Abbey (photo stop) · Muckross House · Kilfenora Burren Museum · Lough Corrib Boat Cruise · Galway Walking tour · All transportation and sightseeing via deluxe touring motor coach · Tips and taxes on items included

Irish Traditional Music Lessons on Concertina in Dublin. I am a concertina and fiddle player from Dublin. I have performed nationally and internationally and have taught at leading Irish music festivals, such as the Willie Clancy Summer School and The Joe Mooney Summer School. I have 6 years teaching experience in Dublin. I teach private lessons for children and adults of all levels. If interested please contact me on 0862008136 or sarahflynnconcertina@gmail.com

Hi All, Could anyone direct me to a shantyman or woman giving lessons in Boston or nearby areas? I play a C/G Anglo and am primarily interested in Shanties, but I would like to know more about dance tunes as well as accompaniment. In general, I have a lot to learn. I've had my concertina for fifteen years, but I never really progressed past playing a handful of tunes. Thanks. I will check this forum, but you can also reach me at frank.montesonti@gmail.com as well. Best, Frank.

Just a note to let you know that I have been teaching English Concertina at Music Under the Southern Cross for the last 6 years. It is a live-in School lasting 6 days starting on Sunday evening and going to Friday lunch time. This year we had 7 English concertina students and I was assisted for two days by Sarah Wade. For those interested in attending please go to www.celt.com.au and follow the link to the School. The School has classes in English Concertina, Harp, Scottish Fiddle, Irish Fiddle, Canadian Fiddle, Uilleann Pipes, Mandolin, Guitar, Tin Whistle and Traditional Singing. The classes are not for beginners. Students need to be able to play a jig or reel at dance speed as a minimum - except for the singers. The School offers intensive tuition with Australia's top players/teachers. It is held in Australia's summer which is also the Northern Hemisphere's winter - hint, hint. Concertina students are invited to join the closed facebook group Music Under the Southern Cross Concertinas. This binds students together and helps with the planning of my classes. I try and get students to learn a couple of tunes before the School so we can concentrate on ornamentation, variations, rhythm and fluency. Each year a tune is taught by ear but music is also provided after the hard work has been done. The School also offers slow jams, a variety of sessions and electives on topics like dance and rhythm and has a large lake and pool. Music Under the Southern Cross is Australia's premier school for teaching traditional music. The School in 2015 will run into the nearby Newstead Folk Festival where many tutors and students will be performing. The School will have it's own concert. Everyone is encouraged to attend so that all can continue playing their new tunes and enjoying the friendships developed. For more information go to the website or email me at music@celt.com.au .

Anyone interested in Skype lessons for Anglo Concertina? Niall Vallely has announced that he will be available for a limited number of online concertina lessons via Skype. He can be contacted at nvallely@eircom.net for more information.

Registration for the 2013 Northeast Concertina Workshop in Greenfield, MA, USA, is now open. You can check out the details, including this year's instructors and class topics, at http://www.buttonbox.com/NCW.html The date is Saturday, April 13, and we're once again at the Four Rivers Charter School for the workshop and All Souls Unitarian Church for the evening concert. Both venues have worked well, and we're very glad to be returning this year. Feel free to call or e-mail The Button Box if you have questions. We hope to see you in April!