Hello, I Have A Hohner...

[tkw]

Hello,

 

I've just joined your site looking for information about the instrument pictured in the attachment. (I've posted a high-resolution image (~600KB JPEG) of the instrument here (clickey)).

 

I apologise in advance; I haven't looked around your site fully yet so I might end up answering my own questions, but I'd be very grateful for any information, or pointers to information.

 

It is clearly marked "Hohner", and it seems very similar to their current model HA-114. It has two bass notes, and four stops set over three octaves (the middle two are tuned about 1/10 tone apart - is this deliberate to produce an accordian-ey sound?)

 

My other questions are:

 

1) What is its correct name? I've seen similar instruments describved as button accordians or melodions amongst others. What are the distinctions?

 

2) How old might it be? I'd be surprised if it was any younger than 50. Is there any way to tell? I haven't noticed any serial number on it.

 

3) Does it require any periodic maintenance? Where could I get this done? I live in Kent (UK), so anywhere in Kent would be great but London is also accessible.

 

4) How on Earth do I play it? Where can I find music and / or instruction?

 

Edit: 5) Are there any recommended shops / groups / clubs etc etc around Kent?

 

Thank you very much,

 

Toby

Edited August 20, 2005 by tkw

[Ken_Coles]

Hello,

 

1)  What is its correct name?  I've seen similar instruments describved as button accordians or melodions amongst others.  What are the distinctions?

 

2)  How old might it be?  I'd be surprised if it was any younger than 50.  Is there any way to tell?  I haven't noticed any serial number on it.

 

3)  Does it require any periodic maintenance?  Where could I get this done?  I live in Kent (UK), so anywhere in Kent would be great but London is also accessible.

 

4) How on Earth do I play it?   Where can I find music and / or instruction?

 

Edit: 5) Are there any recommended shops / groups / clubs etc etc around Kent?

 

Thank you very much,

 

Toby

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

In the U.S. these are commonly called "button accordions." I'll let my UK friends tell you how the terms work there. While this are not what most of us today call "concertinas," that term has been applied to them at various times and places. For example, in Louisiana 80 to 100 years ago, contemporary witnesses tell that Leadbelly played the "concertina," while photos show him with an instrument that resembles yours.

 

Yours may not be that old, these (the HA-114) are still in production (see the ones on sale at www.buttonbox.com, for example). Yes, the tremolo tuning (see thread on vibrato) of the two middle octave stops is intentional, for the reason you suggest. Hohner also modified these German style instruments for the beginner Cajun player (I started on one) with a "drier" tuning (I'll let others give references for these terms), and painted black.

 

These instruments and their more elaborate brethren are widely known and played by our UK colleagues, who can tell you more about local maintainance and tuition. You might also check www.melodeon.net. You'll have fun playing it!

 

Ken Coles

Pennsylvania, USA

[David Barnert]

Greetings.

 

First of all, it is not a concertina. That is not to say there won't be folks here that can help you, but there are probably better places. Concertinas tend to have buttons that press in the direction of the axis of the bellows. Note that yours press perpendicular to that axis, toward the chest. Concertinas also tend to have shapes that are regular polygons (square, hexagonal, octagonal, etc.). Note that yours is rectangular.

 

The terminology that describes what you have is a little fluid: the words and meanings change from source to source. I would call it a one-row melodieon. Others would call it a one-row button accordion (although I was taught that the word "accordion" refers to instruments with at least three rows of right-hand buttons, so that they can play chords, rather than melodies, on the right hand).

 

Poke around sites like The Button Box for more information. I notice that right now they've got a Hohner one-row front and center.

[tkw]

Thank you Ken & David very much for the swift replies - especially in the face of my complete ignorance - I've posted on the melodeon.net forums.

 

And I now at least know what a concertina is!

 

Best wishes,

 

Toby

[John Wild]

1)  What is its correct name?

 

 

4) How on Earth do I play it?   Where can I find music and / or instruction?

 

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

As David has already replied, I would call it a one-row melodeon.

 

Most music shops (or at least those with a folk-music bias) would stock or be able to order a tutor book. See also stands at festivals. The biggest festivals have passed this year but there are still some to come. In Kent, check out Faversham (2-4 September), Deal (9-11 September), and Tenterden (30/09 - 02 October).

 

- John Wild