instrument must fit you 'like a glove'..

[SIMON GABRIELOW]

It might seem a vague topic; but it was after learning of other peoples difficulties in acquiring instruments, or in playing certain kinds of instrument, [and suddenly realising another type worked better for them] -  that it made me realise how important it is the musician [ of any kind, or of any level of expertise] how important that partnership is between instrument and musician.

How all those violins [ as another example] ..have passed down generations; and been idolised and almost envied because they belonged to a great musician, or guitars which have attained stains, marks, scratches, as part of their life story.  Same  with free reed family; as they adapt to the touch of the individual who uses them.

I have tried other instruments out myself [concertina] in shops and it is amazing how odd it feels to try another one out, to one's own usual, as you get so used to that individual character of the one you know; it's quite amazing how it can either slow you down, or speed you up also.

 

It need not be the most expensive one that suits someone, it could even be they get along with many of the varieties available in the 'free reed community'. One person will fit that instrument wonderfully - then another could try it out and find it impossible to play.

But get the paring [ or partnership just right] between musician and instrument, and off you go into the merry world of inspiration or progress.  I suppose it is similar to partnerships in other professions, or skills, if you get along just right and its fantastic; if not - you just build up a distrust.

Then the moment comes when the 'glove fits' .. and everything is set for life!

 

 

 

[Mikefule]

I have twice visited Barleycorn Concertinas, once intending to buy a GD Anglo, and once intending to by a CG 20b Anglo.

 

On each occasion, they offered me a selection of about half a dozen.

 

On each occasion, they expressed surprise at my choice.

 

The way I chose was to play, chat, play, chat, and notice which one I kept picking up again - the one I kept holding as I was chatting..  It was not an objective decision, it was the one that felt right to me.

 

[Lester Bailey]

I. like Mikefule, bought my concertina from Barleycorn in the exact same manner. I gave Chris a list of what I wanted, he selected a bunch that he thought fitted my spec and left me to play them. My wife says she knew which one I would buy from me first picking it up despite going round them all twice.

[Jim Besser]

On 7/15/2022 at 12:34 PM, Lester Bailey said:

I. like Mikefule, bought my concertina from Barleycorn in the exact same manner. I gave Chris a list of what I wanted, he selected a bunch that he thought fitted my spec and left me to play them. My wife says she knew which one I would buy from me first picking it up despite going round them all twice.

 

I bought my Jeffries from Barleycorn, but didn't have the luxury of proximity, so I couldn't try instruments out. But I sent Chris a very clear description of what I was looking for.  He waved me off several instruments that sounded good to me, and eventually contacted me when he had a Jeffries that seemed right. He was absolutely correct.

 

[Anglo-Irishman]

This is all very well for us, and musicians like us - violinists, guitarists, trumpeters, etc. - who play portable instruments. We can take the instruments with which we have formed a symbiosis anywhere, whether practice room, convivial meeting or concert hall.

But what about people like pianists and organists? They just have to play what's there! Even double-bass players sometimes leave their favourite instrument at home and borrow one for an "away gig" in another town.

Cheers,

John

[Clive Thorne]

9 hours ago, Anglo-Irishman said:

This is all very well for us, and musicians like us - violinists, guitarists, trumpeters, etc. - who play portable instruments. We can take the instruments with which we have formed a symbiosis anywhere, whether practice room, convivial meeting or concert hall.

But what about people like pianists and organists? They just have to play what's there! Even double-bass players sometimes leave their favourite instrument at home and borrow one for an "away gig" in another town.

Cheers,

John

At least a piano always has the notes in the same places!

[wunks]

10 hours ago, Anglo-Irishman said:

 

But what about people like pianists and organists? They just have to play what's there! 

 

20 minutes ago, Clive Thorne said:

At least a piano always has the notes in the same places!

An in tune piano is a delight for a dance, but an increasing rarity if playing out and about, despite what the hosting hall mavens proclaim.  Best to toss a plug in keyboard in the trunk.

Edited July 19, 2022 by wunks

[Steve Schulteis]

Perhaps an outlier, but the Koln Concert comes to mind. The instrument certainly didn't fit like a glove. Instead, placing the constraint of an awful instrument upon a skilled performer produced something special. https://www.npr.org/transcripts/719557642

 

That's not to say I want to play with a cumbersome instrument all the time or that the instrument doesn't create limitations. But maybe our connection to the instrument is less important for producing good music than we like to think.

Edited July 20, 2022 by Steve Schulteis