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.

 

[aeolina]

The design drawings for The Caledonian Concertina showing note values.

 

 

[wes williams]

So 'Professor' Eydmann is about to be the 'Professor' Maccann equivalent of the English system.

 

Thanks for the info Stuart, I'll spend a while thinking about it before I make any comments ...

[aeolina]

Cheers Wes! I plan to write a one year on report on the instrument before too long.

 

 

[aeolina]

Tickets now available for this demonstration/discussion on new developments in English Concertina design at the Button Boxes and Moothies gathering in Aberdeen.

 

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/old-aberdeen/carnegie-room-kings-college-conference-centre/demonstration-new-designs-for-the-english-concertina-with-stuart-eydmann-henrik-mueller/e-yjvebj

[Dimble]

6 hours ago, aeolina said:

Tickets now available for this demonstration/discussion on new developments in English Concertina design at the Button Boxes and Moothies gathering in Aberdeen.

 

 

I won't be able to make it across the pond for this, but I would love to know more. Would video recording the event be feasible?

[aeolina]

I hope the presentation will be recorded and made available. 

 

More valuable might be the illustrated texts which Henrik and myself will make available at or shortly after the gathering.

 

I'll keep the forum posted.

 

Stuart 

 

 

[aeolina]

Folks, I promised to share any recording made of the presentation being given by Henrik Müller and myself at the free reed convention in Aberdeen last November. We were both talking about our separate but very similar journeys as players of Irish and Scottish music on English concertina and the physical changes we have to the classic instrument design to better suit our personal needs, the demands of the repertory and our aspirations in terms of style, expression, ornamentation etc.

 

We had a great gathering of interest players and did our best to explain our thinking and to demonstrate our own instruments. I suspect most found it more curious than practical.

 

Unfortunately, the talk was not recorded. However, I am able to share the list of key points I prepared for the day here. I appended the scores for some Irish tunes to demonstrate some of my typical alternative fingerings which will hopefully make sense - I think there are a few mistakes but most are fine.

 

I'm happy to clarify or discuss any of the points.

 

Stuart Eydmann

Eydmann Aberdeen Talk (1).pdf