AI view of concertinas

[Paul_Hardy]

Given the recent fuss about AI, when my laptop recently gained an icon for Microsoft Copilot, so I thought I'd try it. I asked "Describe the English Concertina", and received:

 

"The English concertina is a member of the concertina family of free-reed musical instruments. It was invented in England in 1829 by Sir Charles Wheatstone and was the first instrument of what would become the concertina family. The English concertina is a fully chromatic instrument, having buttons in a rectangular arrangement of four staggered rows; its buttons are unisonoric, producing the same note on both the push and pull of the bellows. It differs from other concertinas in that the scale is divided evenly between the two hands, such that playing a scale involves both hands alternately playing each note in sequence. The English concertina was initially used for playing classical music, virtuosic solos, and chamber music. By the 1860s-1870s, it grew more popular in the music hall tradition1. In the English Folk Revival of the 1960s, though the English concertina had been more an art music instrument, it became popular with British folk musicians. The English concertina has a strong representation amongst amateur players of English folk music; modern nationally known folk performers on the English concertina include Robert Harbron, Sandra Kerr, Graham Kennett, and the Scottish musician Simon Thoumire.

If you are interested in purchasing an English concertina, you can check out Barleycorn Concertinas".

 

Borrows a lot from Wikipedia, but not a bad synthesis?

[Paul_Hardy]

As a comparison AI, here is Google Bard's answer to the same "Describe the English Concertina"

 

The English concertina is a free-reed musical instrument in the concertina family. It is a fully chromatic instrument, having buttons in a rectangular arrangement of four staggered rows; its buttons are unisonoric, producing the same note on both the push and pull of the bellows.

The English concertina is typically held by placing the thumbs through thumb straps and the little fingers on metal finger rests, leaving three fingers free for playing. Many players also intermittently or continuously use the little finger to play notes, thus playing with all four fingers and relying upon the thumb straps to support the instrument. Heavier and larger instruments were often fitted with wrist straps and/or a neck sling to further support the weight of the instrument.

The two innermost rows of the layout constitute a diatonic C major scale, distributed alternately between the two sides of the instrument. The two outermost rows contain the chromatic notes, also distributed alternately between the two sides. This layout makes it easy to play scales and melodies, as both hands play the same notes in alternating order.

The English concertina is a versatile instrument that can be used to play a variety of music, including folk, classical, and jazz. It is a popular instrument in England and Ireland, and is also played in other parts of the world.

Here are some of the key features of the English concertina:

• Fully chromatic: The English concertina has all of the notes of the chromatic scale, making it possible to play any piece of music.
• Unisonoric buttons: Each button on the English concertina plays the same note on both the push and pull of the bellows. This makes it easier to learn to play the instrument, and also gives it a unique sound.
• Four staggered rows of buttons: The buttons on the English concertina are arranged in four staggered rows, with the chromatic notes in the outermost rows. This layout makes it easy to play scales and melodies.
• Bellows: The English concertina has a bellows on the back of the instrument, which is used to create airflow through the reeds. The player squeezes and releases the bellows to produce sound.

The English concertina is a beautiful and versatile instrument that can be used to play a wide variety of music. It is a popular choice for both beginners and experienced musicians alike."

 

Better, or too wordy?

Edited October 4, 2023 by Paul_Hardy

[Paul_Hardy]

And a third AI: ChatGPT says in response to "Describe the English Concertina":

 

The English concertina is a musical instrument that belongs to the family of free-reed aerophones, which also includes the accordion and harmonica. It is a type of concertina, a small, handheld bellows-driven instrument known for its distinctive sound and portability. The English concertina is characterized by several key features:

1. Shape and Construction:

   • The English concertina typically has a hexagonal or octagonal shape, though some variations may have a rectangular or square design.
   • It consists of two flat wooden or metal end plates connected by a series of parallel wooden or metal bars that form the sides. This creates a chamber where the reeds and bellows are housed.

2. Bellows:

   • The bellows are a crucial component of the concertina. They are a set of pleated, airtight folds made from cloth or leather, which are squeezed together and expanded to create airflow over the reeds.

3. Reeds:

   • Inside the concertina's chamber, there are metal reeds attached to reed frames. These reeds are responsible for producing sound when air flows over them.
   • Each button on the concertina corresponds to one or more reeds, and pressing a button opens a valve to allow air to flow over those specific reeds.

4. Buttons:

   • The English concertina features buttons on the front face, which are used to control the flow of air to the reeds. Each button is connected to a set of reeds, with higher notes typically placed towards the center and lower notes towards the outer edges.

5. Playing Technique:

   • To play the English concertina, the musician holds it with both hands, thumbs on the sides and fingers resting on the buttons.
   • By compressing and expanding the bellows while pressing buttons, the player can produce a wide range of musical notes.

6. Tonal Range:

   • The English concertina has a wide tonal range, often spanning multiple octaves, depending on the specific model and number of buttons.

7. Sound:

   • The English concertina has a bright, crisp sound with good articulation, making it suitable for a variety of musical styles.

8. Historical Significance:

   • The English concertina became popular in the 19th century and was widely used in various musical genres, including folk, classical, and popular music.

9. Portability:

   • Due to its compact size, the English concertina is highly portable and was favored by musicians for its ability to be easily carried and played in various settings.

Overall, the English concertina is a versatile and distinctive musical instrument with a unique sound, making it a valuable addition to a wide range of musical ensembles and genres.

 

Even more wordy, but covers wider scope?

[SIMON GABRIELOW]

I often think it would be worth trying to fool the AI set up by putting a load of reidiculously long nonsense words and sentences together to see if you can confuse the thing. Something meaningless ( might be worth a go?).. 🌝😊

[wunks]

What would be the result of the broader request of "Describe the Concertina."?

[alex_holden]

Most of it seems accurate, but somebody who doesn't already know about the subject would struggle to pick out the mistakes because it all sounds equally authoritative. I hadn't realised the Microsoft chatbot includes adverts in its answers but apparently it does:

https://www.techspot.com/news/100386-microsoft-copilot-can-show-third-party-advertising-windows.html

[Paul_Hardy]

17 hours ago, wunks said:

What would be the result of the broader request of "Describe the Concertina."?

Copilot just quotes the first section from Wikipedia. ChatGPT says:

 

A concertina is a musical instrument that belongs to the family of free-reed aerophones, which also includes the accordion and harmonica. It is characterized by a small, portable, and bellows-driven design. The concertina consists of a series of buttons or keys on both ends, which, when pressed, open and close valves allowing air to pass through reeds inside the instrument. This action produces sound.

There are two main types of concertinas: the Anglo-German concertina and the English concertina.

Anglo-German Concertina:

• This type of concertina is mainly used for playing traditional folk music, especially in Irish, English, and Anglo-American musical traditions.
• It is typically diatonic, meaning it produces different notes when the bellows are pushed and pulled, similar to a harmonica.
• The buttons on the Anglo-German concertina are arranged to make it easier to play in specific keys, which suits the requirements of folk music.

English Concertina:

• The English concertina is chromatic, meaning it can produce the full range of musical notes.
• Its buttons are arranged in a uniform pattern across both ends, allowing for easy navigation of scales and chords in any key.
• This makes the English concertina more versatile for playing a wider range of music genres.
• Concertinas have been used in various musical contexts, from traditional folk music to classical compositions, and even in some contemporary and experimental music genres. They offer a unique and distinctive sound, often associated with a nostalgic or rustic ambiance.

Due to its portability and distinctive sound, the concertina has remained popular in folk music circles and has even found its way into modern genres, contributing to its enduring appeal and cultural significance.

[SIMON GABRIELOW]

I wonder whether that AI thing uses what could be copyrighted material in its text? And is in a way only plagiarizing or pretending to be original at cost of other experts words?

[David Barnert]

4 hours ago, SIMON GABRIELOW said:

I wonder whether that AI thing uses what could be copyrighted material in its text? And is in a way only plagiarizing or pretending to be original at cost of other experts words?

 

It uses whatever it can find on the internet, and many “content providers” (authors, etc.) are up in arms, seeking legal redress. The question is far from settled.

[Little John]

The first two are OK, but the ChatGPD one contains several inaccuracies.

[maccannic]

Yes, 'diatonic' doesn't mean that,  and as a duet player who has never played English or Anglo I would say there are more than two main types of concertina.

[SIMON GABRIELOW]

One good way to fool the AI set up could be to deliberately make up.some facts and keep a proof of it separately ( in a document file separately).. then put out the info on line, and wait and see if it begins to appear as factual thing!🌝🌝🌝

You simply test it by asking for subject matter and who knows your own words could re-emerge!

Nothing to do with concertinas but just an experimental idea?🌝🌝

[Clive Thorne]

Wasn't there something about Columbo's (the TV detective) first name. It was never known or mentioned, but someone put out an article stating a first name, and over the years it got accepted as being true.?

 

Something like that anyway.

 

[David Barnert]

5 hours ago, maccannic said:

Yes, 'diatonic' doesn't mean that

 

True, but a fair number of Anglo and melodeon players think it does.

 

3 hours ago, SIMON GABRIELOW said:

One good way to fool the AI set up could be to deliberately make up.some facts and keep a proof of it separately ( in a document file separately).. then put out the info on line, and wait and see if it begins to appear as factual thing!

 

AI is doing that for us. As AI “hallucinations” become more and more of web content, they will be recycled by AI (which doesn’t recognize them as hallucinations) into more and more dubious content.

[RAc]

Well, these days, truth appears to be an optional commodity - cf. a certain former and possibly future US president (Unfortunately, he is only the best known but by far not sole in making a mockery of truth). AI works remarkably like human "intelligence" in some respects, and one of the good thins about AI is that it shows us the mirror and forces us to re-evaluate what "intelligence" is all about at the end of the day.

 

[Paul_Hardy]

23 hours ago, Little John said:

The first two are OK, but the ChatGPD one contains several inaccuracies.

 

Yes, I noticed it provided several very authoritative points that were just plain wrong!

 

1) "It consists of two flat wooden or metal end plates connected by a series of parallel wooden or metal bars that form the sides." It would be hard to play a concertina where the ends were connected by metal bars!

2) "Each button is connected to a set of reeds, with higher notes typically placed towards the center and lower notes towards the outer edges." It's not clear whether this is talking about the buttons or the reeds, but both are wrong!

3) "the musician holds it with both hands, thumbs on the sides and fingers resting on the buttons." Thumbs on the sides would be an interesting way to try and play an English!

[SIMON GABRIELOW]

On this recent topic and discussion, I have noted the following just now whilst twiddling around online..

As someone who has in recent month taken to playing a chalumeau [ a sort of early form of clarinet] a wind instrument, [mine is simplest form without any extension keys on it] I was amazed to read a following quote online via a site supposed to be featuring accordions!

October 16, 2022

 

"Chalumeau is a musical style characterized by its accordion like instrument. The Chalumeau is a reed instrument that is similar to an accordion. It is played by pressing the keys with one hand and pumping the bellows with the other. The Chalumeau was originally used for folk music, but it has also been used in classical and jazz music".

 

NOT my own words but obviously something has gone wrong in the description.  It has a single cane reed and that is its only similarity [having a reed of some kind vibrating to make a sound] and is not in any way like or similar to an accordion! As for pumping bellows maybe they got it confused with a bagpipe? 😄 

Edited October 10, 2023 by SIMON GABRIELOW
completed sentence to clarify point

[Ubizmo]

My personal favorite AI is Pi, so here's what Pi has to say about the English concertina:

 

"The English concertina is a beautiful, hand-held instrument that was first invented in England in the early 19th century. It's a member of the concertina family, and it has a unique hexagonal shape with two sets of bellows and a series of buttons that produce notes when pressed. Unlike some other types of concertinas, the English concertina is "unisonoric," which means that each button plays the same note regardless of whether you're pressing or pulling the bellows. This makes it quite versatile, and it's often used to play English folk music and classical music. It's a beautiful instrument that requires a lot of skill and practice to master!"