rth97601 Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Hello All ... I've got a Jackie on the way (in the mail as we speak), and I'm curious what you think a beginner like myself really needs to get started--I'm thinking tutors, recordings, paraphernalia, etc. I'll be playing mostly English/Scottish folk/dance music and early American stuff, as well as Lutheran church music, and mostly accompanying my wife (more on this in this thread). I'll be getting the Jackie tutor, of course, and I can get things like the Salvation Army PDF, but the number of recommended books and recordings on this site would bust my budget many times over. We have plenty of sheet music sitting around, but I'm mostly an ear guy anyway (I play old-time banjo as my primary, if that tells you anything). So ... what should be at the top pf my list? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Franch Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 The Frank Butler tutor is really good, and is available as a without charge .PDF. It's for a 48 button instrument, but a great deal of it would apply to your 30 button. I think you can find one on the concertina.com website, although I might be mistaken and am too lazy to check. You can often find the actual book on Ebay inexpensively. I think I bought one for less than $15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jggunn Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 One standard and easily available is Alistair Anderson's concertina workshop and also the tutor by Richard Carlin. However, Anderson has just come out with a CD or DVD tutor which is available in the UK and should soon be available in the US. I am very much looking forward to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Stout Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Alistair Anderson's Concertina Workshop has a CD which is available again. I found this source helpful. I collected a bunch of tutors (Butler is on concertina.com as is the all systems chording workshop notes). Mostly what you need is time to practice, explore, and play. Pick out some tunes you know that are in easy keys (C, Am, G, D). Start sitting with the instrument held stable on one knee. When you get tired give yourself a break-- you will be using some muscles in your thumbs and little fingers in unfamiliar ways. Most important: have fun making music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Day Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 I would like to suggest English International.Hear how the old players and new tackle complicated pieces of music.The different styles available to you and what can be obtained on an English Concertina.Three CD set . Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P Carr Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 The Butler Tutor Book 1 is available as a download on the internet - message me if you can't find it. And as a plug for the ICA (International Concertina Association) - if you join it, you can ask the librarian for a pdf copy of the Butler 2 tutor. Plus heaps of other sheet music, interesting magazines etc. etc. Pamela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scurvygrrrl Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Hi all, I'm new to the forums and I just got my Jackie in the mail the other day, and am absolutely LOVING it, so this is helpful to me as well. Thanks! Julié Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Holder Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Hello All ... I've got a Jackie on the way (in the mail as we speak), and I'm curious what you think a beginner like myself really needs to get started--I'm thinking tutors, recordings, paraphernalia, etc. I'll be playing mostly English/Scottish folk/dance music and early American stuff, as well as Lutheran church music, and mostly accompanying my wife (more on this in this thread). I'll be getting the Jackie tutor, of course, and I can get things like the Salvation Army PDF, but the number of recommended books and recordings on this site would bust my budget many times over. We have plenty of sheet music sitting around, but I'm mostly an ear guy anyway (I play old-time banjo as my primary, if that tells you anything). So ... what should be at the top pf my list? Good luck with it. There's a great series of youtube vids by a guy called Martyn, just sitting in his kitchen but he covers a lot of stuff. No connection, I just came across it a while back. Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Mansfield Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 When I started playing English with a Jackie, I personally found that the single most helpful tutor book was the one that Concertina Connection supply with the Jackie! I've picked up really good tips from all the ones mentioned so far, but don't discount the one that comes in the package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rth97601 Posted February 19, 2012 Author Share Posted February 19, 2012 I have downloaded the Butler Tutor (180p tag on the cover ... if only), and I have no intention of underestimating the included tutor, so that's two solid starts. I've also checked out Martyn's YouTube videos, and I'm looking forward to doing a bit of squeezing and squawking with him once the box arrives. I'll keep an eye out for the debut of the Alistair Anderson DVD as well. The English International recording may be a little harder to come by, however ... it isn't on Amazon, and a couple of brief web searches have only turned up UK vendors. Does anyone know a US outlet that might have it? Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Stout Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 You can get English International from the Button Box--- it's in the everything else section: http://www.buttonbox.com/music-cds.html (I have no connection to Button Box other than as a satisfied customer.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rth97601 Posted February 19, 2012 Author Share Posted February 19, 2012 Thanks for the tip! I see they have the Alistair Anderson disc as well ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rth97601 Posted February 22, 2012 Author Share Posted February 22, 2012 So ... it came today, but I missed it, so I have to go pick it up at the post office tomorrow. Oh well ... the baby's asleep anyway, so it's probably better this way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now