What's a concertina? Anyone know?

[maccannic]

I don't believe it !! I watched a documentary yesterday on UK Channel 5 about Alcatraz prison. Apparently during the last (unsuccessful) escape attempt before it closed, part of the escape plan was an inflatable raft made by stitching or welding rubber clothing together. This was then filled with air using (and I think I quote correctly) "an accordion-like musical instrument called a concertina".

 

I find it a bit odd that a British-made documentary would think that its target audience would not know what a concertina is. But nice to think that the concertina could be such a liberating influence.

[michael sam wild]

I don't believe it !! I watched a documentary yesterday on UK Channel 5 about Alcatraz prison. Apparently during the last (unsuccessful) escape attempt before it closed, part of the escape plan was an inflatable raft made by stitching or welding rubber clothing together. This was then filled with air using (and I think I quote correctly) "an accordion-like musical instrument called a concertina".

 

I find it a bit odd that a British-made documentary would think that its target audience would not know what a concertina is. But nice to think that the concertina could be such a liberating influence.

 

 

Just the air button and one outlet nozzle then. A good use many peoole would say

[Patrick King]

I don't believe it !! I watched a documentary yesterday on UK Channel 5 about Alcatraz prison. Apparently during the last (unsuccessful) escape attempt before it closed, part of the escape plan was an inflatable raft made by stitching or welding rubber clothing together. This was then filled with air using (and I think I quote correctly) "an accordion-like musical instrument called a concertina".

 

I find it a bit odd that a British-made documentary would think that its target audience would not know what a concertina is. But nice to think that the concertina could be such a liberating influence.

 

Hmmm... interesting. I think I'd find blowing it up with my mouth more easier and besides, it would be cheaper: I wouldn't have to sacrifice my concertina.

 

Talk soon... BTW- Happy Holidays! (or so it is over here in Oz.)

[JimLucas]

I find it a bit odd that a British-made documentary would think that its target audience would not know what a concertina is.

I find it a bit odd that you seem to think that everyone in Britain knows what a concertina is.

 

Isn't that a bit like expecting every Australian to recognize the name Sorby?

[Leo]

Hopefully it was a cheap one, although I don't think they had a plastic one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILu5Ug0lPjk#t=07m10s

 

Thanks

Leo

[malcolm clapp]

 

Isn't that a bit like expecting every Australian to recognize the name Sorby?

 

Actually, Jim, whilst I agree that not every Australian would know it, the brand is reasonably well known here as a manufacturer of shearing blades and associated equipment. At least, those on the land would be familiar with the name, as would most folkies no doubt from the song Ryebuck Shearer, still one of the most recognisable of Oz folk songs, even to non-folkies.

 

I would maybe go as far as to say that Sorby is possibly a better known term here than concertina....

 

 

 

 

Edited to say that I've just Googled Sorby and was surprised at the long history, range and scope of the company. Shearing blades were just a small part of their business, it would appear.

Edited July 2, 2010 by malcolm clapp

[Dirge]

 

Isn't that a bit like expecting every Australian to recognize the name Sorby?

 

Actually, Jim, whilst I agree that not every Australian would know it, the brand is reasonably well known here as a manufacturer of shearing blades and associated equipment. At least, those on the land would be familiar with the name, as would most folkies no doubt from the song Ryebuck Shearer, still one of the most recognisable of Oz folk songs, even to non-folkies.

 

I would maybe go as far as to say that Sorby is possibly a better known term here than concertina....

 

 

 

 

Edited to say that I've just Googled Sorby and was surprised at the long history, range and scope of the company. Shearing blades were just a small part of their business, it would appear.

 

Curious. if asked I'd have said Sorby made the finest woodworking chisels, were based somewhere like Nottingham and had nothing to do with Australia at all.

[catty]

An accordian...with peccadillos.

[JimLucas]

Isn't that a bit like expecting every Australian to recognize the name Sorby?

Actually, Jim, whilst I agree that not every Australian would know it, the brand is reasonably well known here as a manufacturer of shearing blades and associated equipment. At least, those on the land would be familiar with the name, as would most folkies no doubt from the song Ryebuck Shearer, still one of the most recognisable of Oz folk songs, even to non-folkies.

My point, exactlly. Those who are familiar with the name are familiar with the name, but they're probably not even a majority of the national population. Maybe not even most of the folkies, since most places where I've found the song written out, it's spelled "sawbee", and I'll bet many folks who are familiar with the song -- or even sing it -- aren't aware of its proper spelling or that it's a brand name for shears.

 

Although Australia is more rural than Britain, I suspect that there are still more Australians living in cities than "on the land". The other day in Helsingør (Elsinore) I had a conversation with an Australian, and I sang her snippets of a few songs. She was expecting Waltzing Matilda, and said she had never before heard either The Ryebuck Shearer or The Drover's Dream.

 

And though I would expect a higher percentage of Brits than Danes or even Americans to be familiar with concertinas, I'll bet it's still a depressingly small fraction... smaller even than those who know about Morris dancing.

 

I would maybe go as far as to say that Sorby is possibly a better known term here than concertina....

That suggests to me that most Aussies would also need to have concertinas explained to them.

[JimLucas]

if asked I'd have said Sorby made the finest woodworking chisels...

Through history, several members of the Sorby family have been known for quality production of various sorts of sharp-edged tools, including both the woodworking chisels and shears.

 

...were based somewhere like Nottingham...

Sheffield. Same island.

 

...and had nothing to do with Australia at all.

This history is interesting.

[Steve Mansfield]

People (in my experience in Northern England, YMMV) will usually know what concertina blinds, or a concertina fold, are, in terms of e thing that folds up by zig-zagging back on itself into a smaller space.

 

When they ask me what that six-sided thing I'm playing tunes on is, and I say 'it's a concertina', you can sometimes see the light-bulb come on over their head when they suddenly realise why a concertina fold is called that ...

 

We're all specialists here by definition; but the general populace just don't share our experience. I find this when I'm doing the day job, try to explain an aspect of computer programming and interface design to intelligent experienced people in what I think will be really, really standard basic detail,

 

and they look at me and go

 

 

 

'No, sorry, still don't get it ...'