wschruba Posted February 26 Posted February 26 I've gone through issues with multiple instruments, and it's usually a case of being more tense than necessary (happens everywhere, from flute, to piano, to concertina, and beyond). Some technical issues can be invisible if you are unaware of them--that is, Mr. Eskin's offer to look can solve in seconds what might take you, yourself, far longer to diagnose. I have noted that I can play adequately for a couple of hours before I begin getting fatigued. This is usually--regardless of instrument--a sign that I should stop, rest, and do something with different motions. I find the same kind of issues when using a manual lathe--joints get stiff, fingers stop working properly, etc. I have found that practice should mirror (or ideally, exceed) expected performance time. If you need to play for 2 hours straight, practice should allow you to play for that, if not more. Keep in mind, if you don't do it constantly, you will lose some of that strength. If you are getting a workout playing, it's probably a question of too much force. Just let it sound at the "normal" volume (can we call that mezzoforte?) that the instrument wants to play at. Once you have a good feeling for that, you can start working on piano and forte. 1 1
usurpator Posted February 26 Author Posted February 26 excellent points, and yes i do play too loud and when i try not to i play breathy!
usurpator Posted February 27 Author Posted February 27 (edited) News: I’ve followed all your advice and observed myself and things are much better. I’ve also restreched the bellows and they are much more easy to play in the “not too stretched out” position. (edit: i me&n the first third of opening is sifter, the two other thirds (more open) are stiff as described below) I have one question: opening to fully open while playing a long open phrase (because needed at-the slow speed i play at) demands strength, also closing the bellow from an almost completly open position back to a more closed position while opening the air button is super slow, super hard and sounds like darthwader - is that normal? I doubt it as it means I dont have the time to close the bellows during a semi quaver silence - takes more time than that! all advices and infos as usual super welcomed! I’m in france and there is not a single concertina teacher in the country apparently! accordeon yes but not concertina, you guys are my life line, so many thanks, i’m having a ton of fun!🤩 Edited February 27 by usurpator
jgarber760 Posted February 27 Posted February 27 I have been playing for a few months. I have noticed that I initially was playing loudly so using a lot more air than needed. So now I play at medium or even quiet volume which has not only helped relax me more but also conserves air. At my skill level I am playing moderate tempos so that also uses more air. I have not yet got the hang of incorporating the air button in my playing but I intend to dig deep into those tunes that have long strings of notes on one bellows direction. 1
usurpator Posted February 27 Author Posted February 27 30 minutes ago, jgarber760 said: I have been playing for a few months. I have noticed that I initially was playing loudly so using a lot more air than needed. So now I play at medium or even quiet volume which has not only helped relax me more but also conserves air. At my skill level I am playing moderate tempos so that also uses more air. I have not yet got the hang of incorporating the air button in my playing but I intend to dig deep into those tunes that have long strings of notes on one bellows direction. 15 days in I'm playing super slow on purpose, i work a lot with the metronome. yes what you describe is spot on!
SIMON GABRIELOW Posted February 27 Posted February 27 Even after years of experience Anglos can still present their challenges; how much air is left, and parts of musical piece where you really have to do the best you can ..particularly if there may be a lot of outward pulling notes, or inward requirements. It all comes with practice, and sometimes a compromise as to what is feasible to play on them. A slight little pause like woodwind player needs or uses between phrases, to take a breath, I believe is expected by a composer from anyone playing a tune, when required. The bellows are like your lungs ..they need to take a breath, and relax also I between🌝🌝 1
usurpator Posted February 27 Author Posted February 27 5 minutes ago, SIMON GABRIELOW said: Even after years of experience Anglos can still present their challenges; how much air is left, and parts of musical piece where you really have to do the best you can ..particularly if there may be a lot of outward pulling notes, or inward requirements. It all comes with practice, and sometimes a compromise as to what is feasible to play on them. A slight little pause like woodwind player needs or uses between phrases, to take a breath, I believe is expected by a composer from anyone playing a tune, when required. The bellows are like your lungs ..they need to take a breath, and relax also I between🌝🌝 many thanks! i understand! but i still wonder if the fact that my bellows demand a big "humpff" effort to close using the air button after they are extended a lot is normal, i am sure it's stupid but i wonder: is the air hole the air button is minked too big enough on my wren 2? or it might just be that is need to stretch the belows again. If barely open is one third and totally open is 3 thirds then the upper half of the second third and the third third are really stiff
Jillser Nic Amhlaoibh Posted February 28 Posted February 28 (edited) On 2/27/2026 at 2:01 PM, usurpator said: News: I’ve followed all your advice and observed myself and things are much better. I’ve also restreched the bellows and they are much more easy to play in the “not too stretched out” position. (edit: i me&n the first third of opening is sifter, the two other thirds (more open) are stiff as described below) I have one question: opening to fully open while playing a long open phrase (because needed at-the slow speed i play at) demands strength, also closing the bellow from an almost completly open position back to a more closed position while opening the air button is super slow, super hard and sounds like darthwader - is that normal? I doubt it as it means I dont have the time to close the bellows during a semi quaver silence - takes more time than that! all advices and infos as usual super welcomed! I’m in france and there is not a single concertina teacher in the country apparently! accordeon yes but not concertina, you guys are my life line, so many thanks, i’m having a ton of fun!🤩 As you mention there being no teachers in France - you do know that you can take live online lessons (via Zoom etc) with great concertina tutors no matter where your location? Getting even a couple of live online lessons would be a great way to have an experienced eye give you feedback on your mechanics when playing (to make sure you're not making things more difficult than they need to be via poor technique or playing in a manner that could lead to injuries later on down the line) and to answer the questions you have about using the air button, bellows control etc. Just a thought but if it was me that's what I'd be doing. Edited February 28 by Jillser Nic Amhlaoibh 1
usurpator Posted February 28 Author Posted February 28 music class on zoom? in my experience the sound is not good enough - I hope I’m wrong (or that zoom has improved) I certainly would love to take a few lessons!
SIMON GABRIELOW Posted February 28 Posted February 28 Perhaps you can send a video to forum here so we can observe how you are playing your concertina, and maybe then suggest what is good or not, and how to solve any worries you have. My own online connections are too slow to help you in connecting, otherwise I would help .. but I have unreliable connection. Send a video to this forum to show what you are doing that will help I am sure🌝 1
Michael Eskin Posted February 28 Posted February 28 With the correct settings Zoom can be a fantastic tool for music lessons and even concerts. I've hosted hundreds of sessions on Zoom since 2020 as well as hosted and played on several online Zoom concerts and workshops. 1
SIMON GABRIELOW Posted February 28 Posted February 28 (edited) Zoom used to work on my Tablet but now my Tablet ( computer) would need a medicinal tablet just to keep it going up to speed these days!😊 Edited February 28 by SIMON GABRIELOW 1
usurpator Posted February 28 Author Posted February 28 1 hour ago, Michael Eskin said: With the correct settings Zoom can be a fantastic tool for music lessons and even concerts. I've hosted hundreds of sessions on Zoom since 2020 as well as hosted and played on several online Zoom concerts and workshops. what excellent news!!! I’m going to try and find a teacher online! any suggestions? many thanks once more
Jillser Nic Amhlaoibh Posted February 28 Posted February 28 The Kayley website is a directory of instructors for a variety of instruments aimed at people who are interested in playing irish traditional music or bluegrass music. The website lets people book lessons (either online or in person ones if someone is local), could be worth checking out. Link below is for the instructors offering lessons on the concertina: https://kayley.io/s?keywords=concertina 1
wschruba Posted March 2 Posted March 2 Zoom has an option in both mobile/desktop to "use original sound". While it still doesn't work great when one person is making noise unexpectedly, it works well enough to get the point across. I would confidently say that most music instructors who use zoom are more than able to walk you through setting it up properly. 1
usurpator Posted March 2 Author Posted March 2 On 2/28/2026 at 4:16 PM, SIMON GABRIELOW said: Perhaps you can send a video to forum here so we can observe how you are playing your concertina, and maybe then suggest what is good or not, and how to solve any worries you have. My own online connections are too slow to help you in connecting, otherwise I would help .. but I have unreliable connection. Send a video to this forum to show what you are doing that will help I am sure🌝 here are two videos of me getting the notes wrong after 2 weeks of studying, what do you advise me to correct first? with many many thanks IMG_3815.mp4 1
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