The Caledonian Concertina

[aeolina]

As promised, here is a very short "doodle" demonstrating some of the ornamentation possibilities on the Caledonian Concertina:

 

https://vimeo.com/1044944682

 

Some make use of the notes duplicated across the two manuals.

[aeolina]

Here you can see and hear the miniature prototype I had made in 2019 by Andrew Norman. Limited range but more than covering the Scottish bagpipes scale and with duplicated notes on outside rows of both manuals. It has accordion reeds and, with little in the way of timber structure, it is capable of being played quite loudly - people always seem surprised that a small concertina can be as loud as a large one! After several years of playing I (like to) think that the reeds have become slightly more supple and sweet. However it was always my ambition to have a session box with a bit more bite and character than my trusty Aeola.

 

There are audio only recordings on my page at rareTunes under the heading "A Scottish Concertina":

 

https://raretunes.org/stuart-eydmann/

 

It comes with me on all my travels, hence the nickname "Ryanair Concertina".

 

Stuart

[aeolina]

A most enjoyable Edinburgh session this week playing Hibernian as well as Caledonian tunes! The Caledonian layout is proving to be a particularly good option for the the English system player deep into Irish tradition. Also note the experimental neoprene wraps on the hand straps. Myself with fiddler Paul Bradley of Armagh.