martyn Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 (edited) I have been thinking recently that there are not many concertinas being used for morris these days. Out of about 40-50 sides I have seen this summer so far, I have only seen one other being played. Melodeons being the most popular insrtruments, with a few piano accordions thrown in (no jokes). Has anyone else noticed this, or is it geographical? We live in south-east England. To hear a clip of me playing, search Chelmsford morris, (couldn't get link to work) this will take you to the homepage. To see a picture of the Jeffries anglo being played, click on photos, scroll to bottom of page, click archives, click on Writtle festival and scoll down to morris pics.(A bit complicated but we are in the middle of making some changes to the website) All the best Martyn Edited August 16, 2004 by martyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Morse Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 There are several sides here in New England who's musician plays concertina - I used to myself for Muddy River Morris. I think the reason why there are so many more melodeon players is that they are cheaper and (usually) louder (the instruments I mean!). Rain, knocks, kids, beer.... not a big deal for a Hohner... and you can always get another one if it's stolen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lester Bailey Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 Aldbury Morris are almost totally concertina and English as well. Go here to have a look piccy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Timson Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 (edited) Not my experience either. Mr Wilkins Shilling have 1 anglo (me) and 2 Englishes in the band. When I was watching the last night parade at Sidmouth just over a week ago I noticed that most of the sides seemed to have at least one concertina player, including our own John Wild playing for a side from Canterbury. Last year, I think it was, at Sidmouth the Nutters (that is, the Britannia Coconut Dancers) had a totally concertina band (this year they had the full silver band). Chris Edited for typo.exe Edited August 16, 2004 by Chris Timson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Besser Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 In my 4 years as musician for Bluemont Morris, I've encountered relatively few other Anglo players. My guess is that the BA is a little easier to play with emphatic chords. Many Morris musicians around here are dancers who double as musicians, and who don't play much beyond their sides' dance repetroire. For them, I think, the melodeon is more suitable. Also, as Rich says, melodeons are cheaper. Those melodeon players just keep honking when the weather turns nasty, while I dive for cover. That said, there are some outstanding concertinists playing for Morris sides, including Tom Kruskal up in New England. And, of course, the Foggy Bottom Morris Men have the incredible Big Nick playing his Jeffries Duet. I was playing Monk's March at our Bluemont Ale last year, and started hearing a pleasant echo. I turned around and saw that the very good Anglo player for Buffalo Head Morris (sorry, forgot his name) had joined in. At our last ale, there were 3 Anglo players, 2 English players, 1 Duet and a dozen or more BAs. So we're hardly extinct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Barnert Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 I play concertina (Hayden Duet) for Morris (also pipe and tabor) here in Albany NY. I don't find it as common as melodeon or fiddle, but it's certainly not unheard of. William Kimber, of course, set the standard on the Anglo a hundred years ago, and the Kruskal brothers continue the tradition, highly influenced by his style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimLucas Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 Those melodeon players just keep honking when the weather turns nasty, while I dive for cover. I recall a rainy tour in Albany some years back when the melodeons, too, were packed away... but the dancing continued -- "determined, but moist," -- to the seldom-heard sound of my thoroughly waterproof trumpet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Wild Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 In Kettle Bridge Clogs (based in Maidstone in Kent, U.K.), we have 2 accordions, 1 melodeon, 2 or 3 concertinas (i.e. one is part-time), plus percussion on bass drum, snare drum and crowbar! One of the accordion players also plays concertina some of the time. These concertinas are all English system. I am trying to learn more of the sets on my Hayden duet but find playing standing up with wrist straps a difficult adjustment from the English concertina with thumb strap & finger rest. I have just purchased a Crabb English cocnertina which has the volume and bright tone suitable for playing outdoors. Regards, John Wild Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquarussell Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 The Morris group in San Diego California has one Anglo Concertina. If I succeed at learning the music that they claim is very easy to play, I will be bringing an English Concertina to the group. Wish me luck! Russell Hedges "Aquarussell" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanette Hooker Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 (edited) Aldbury Morris are almost totally concertina and English as well. Go here to have a look Gold-plated concertinas? Nanette Edited August 17, 2004 by Poaceae Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Humphrey Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 My reasons for switching from English concertina to melodeon for Morris tunes were also volume and affordability. When playing for Morris, rain wasn't a deterrent. I put on a rain poncho that covered the squeezebox du jour as well as me. Playing under the poncho made me look pregnant, but it was a musical baby. Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Timson Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 When playing for Morris, rain wasn't a deterrent. I put on a rain poncho that covered the squeezebox du jour as well as me. Playing under the poncho made me look pregnant, but it was a musical baby. And of course it should sweeten the tone. A handy tip for people who want the effect of baffles without the work of fitting them. Ahem. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lester Bailey Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Aldbury Morris are almost totally concertina and English as well. Go here to have a look Gold-plated concertinas? Nanette The concertinas belong to Terry who is playing treble in the picture, he got them from the Faire Four Sisters who played the Music Halls. He has two sets of two trebles, one tenor and a bass, all Aeolas. Don't you just hate some people Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Chambers Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Gold-plated concertinas? No, gold-painted, but with a very interesting history. You can check out this thread for more information. Cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimLucas Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Aldbury MorrisGold-plated concertinas? I think that's really just gilt paint. Still pretty eye-catching, but for a true gold-plated concertina, see the attached photo. (Alas, only the photo is mine, not the concertina. ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Madge Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Well I play Anglo, and my wife English, for both John o' Gaunt (Lancaster) and Wrigley Head. This is mainly North-West but John o' Gaunt do do some Cotswold as well. I think that we do have some duplication of instrument types amongst Wrigley head, either 2 or 3 D/G melodians, but apart from that every instrument is different. Robin Madge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animaterra Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 I've just begun playing for the Harrisville Morris Women in Harrisville, New Hampshire. I've not tried using the Jeffries yet; it's heavier than the Marcus and I'll need to strengthen my arms! As far as playing in the rain goes, a few years ago at NEFFA I saw a gent with his concertina inside a large plastic bag, playing away! It seemed to work, but I like the poncho idea better, especially for my precioussss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Say, John, Are there lessons for playing the crowbar? Helen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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