too loud

[ido]

The nieghbors started complayning the only time I have to play is at night is there any way to make it quieter? Is it so loud in all models (I have a Jackie)? I seem to recall someone writing in on of the forums that she play a concertina with her accordion playing husband and it's way louder.

[Greg Jowaisas]

The nieghbors started complayning the only time I have to play is at night is there any way to make it quieter? Is it so loud in all models (I have a Jackie)? I seem to recall someone writing in on of the forums that she play a concertina with her accordion playing husband and it's way louder.

 

Here is a link to Robert Gaskins treatise on baffles. You may find it too much information or intriguing but the principles remain the same for other concertinas. Using different materials beneath the fretwork will affect volume and filter certain overtones.

 

http://www.concertina.com/gaskins/baffles/index.htm

 

Good luck with your playing, practicing and neighbors.

 

Greg

Edited December 8, 2010 by Greg Jowaisas

[ido]

I'm too scared to take it apart will puting a sponge on the sides help?

[Greg Jowaisas]

I'm too scared to take it apart will puting a sponge on the sides help?

 

Worth a try.

 

(Aren't you curious to open it up and see all those little people who have to blow individual notes on their harmonicas when you command them just by pushing a button? )

 

Greg

[Rod]

The nieghbors started complayning the only time I have to play is at night is there any way to make it quieter? Is it so loud in all models (I have a Jackie)? I seem to recall someone writing in on of the forums that she play a concertina with her accordion playing husband and it's way louder.

 

It is perfectly possible to construct a conventional Anglo Concertina on which to play very quietly indeed, if one so wishes, because I possess just such an instrument.

[AnnC]

Try not to move the bellows when you touch the buttons, as if you're just practising the fingering rather than playing. This will reduce the flow of air through the reeds and hopefully help make things quieter though a lot will depend on how responsive the concertina is ( I'm lucky, a light touch on the buttons sounds the reeds so playing softly is possible)

Best of luck

[RatFace]

Pictures of my external "baffles" here, though I don't think they'll be enough.

 

If you have the money/inclination, you could investigate midi concertinas.

[JimLucas]

I'm lucky, a light touch on the buttons sounds the reeds so playing softly is possible

It's pressure from the bellows that affects the volume.

The touch on the buttons should be independent of bellows pressure.

[Paul_Hardy]

The neighbors started complaining. The only time I have to play is at night. Is there any way to make it quieter?

On my wish list is a midi concertina, like one from http://www.concertin...kker%20midi.htm

This is:

a. to be able to practice silently, using headphones

b. to be able to 'put a capo on' and hence play tunes in Db and similar keys

c. to be able to sound like a cello (or any other arbitrary instrument)

 

Unfortunately, the cost is a bit high for now - it probably waits until I sell one of my other tinas.

 

Regards,

 

Paul.

[LDT]

Practice. Be gentle. Work out exactly how much pressure you need to make a sound just audible.

I learnt to play very quietly. Now, if I put the TV on I can play quietly at the same time and no one realises I'm playing.

[Randy Stein]

Okay, this may sound crazy but it works:

Take egg cartons and fill with Styrofoam and attach to large cardboard panels that you set up on each side of your playing space. Play a little quieter but these will absorb the sound. I did it when I had a small apartment in NY.

rss

[AnnC]

I'm lucky, a light touch on the buttons sounds the reeds so playing softly is possible

It's pressure from the bellows that affects the volume.

The touch on the buttons should be independent of bellows pressure.

 

True, but if the button has to be fully depressed to sound the reed ( rather than barely stroked) then it can be more difficult for someone just starting out to control the pressure on the bellows. All good practice though and the baffles idea sounds interesting

[Mikefule]

Do you have a car? The concertina is one of the easiest instruments to practise in a car. Much easier than, say, the trombone or piano. I regularly pull up in a layby somewhere and play for a bit. In the summer, I find a nice place with a river view, and play and watch the river flow by. If I drive into work, I do 20 minutes' practise before I get out of the car.

[drbones]

If I drive into work, I do 20 minutes' practise before I get out of the car.

 

If you walked to work, you'd be saving the environment and practicing all the way. Now that's green!

If it's too far to walk, maybe you could buy a monkey and a unicycle and learn to juggle oranges with your feet!!!!

How do you look in fishnets?

[Mikefule]

If I drive into work, I do 20 minutes' practise before I get out of the car.

 

maybe you could buy a monkey and a unicycle and learn to juggle oranges with your feet!!!!

 

As it happens, I have 6 unicycles. The monkey and the orange-juggling may take a little longer to acquire.