Help From Experts Needed

[BigYin]

I have been informed that before one can place an advert to buy and sell anything here,,one has to post 4 or 5 times and as I dont wish to be accused of Trolling I have placed my 8 posts here so i can understand the concertina before I give my cash away to someone for a load of "Tat" when i go to buy one..

 

BUT HERE GOES

 

1 DOES CONCERTINISTS PREFER OLD ENGLISH OR GERMAN INSTRUMENTS

 

2 WHY DOES EXPERTS IN CONCERTINA PLAYING MOSTLY PLAY MORRIS MUSIC

 

3 DO THEY HAVE CONCERTINA MARCHING BANDS

 

4 IS THERE DIFFERENT KINDS OF MUSIC PLAYED ON 20,30,32,39,40 KEYED

 

5 CAN YOU TELL ME DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CONCERTINA AND THE BANDEONON

(FORGIVE SPELLING POOR EDUCATION)

 

6 WHERE IS THE NEAREST CONCERTINA MUSEUM

 

7.CAN CONCERTINA'S BE MADE ESPECIALLY FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL PLAYER OR IS IT BETTER TO FIND A QUALITY JEFFRIES

 

8,IS THERE ANY SPECIAL ONE I SHOULD CONSIDER TO LEARN ON.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IF YOU REPLY IF NOT WELL,,,,,"CEST LA VIVE"

[David Barnert]

OK, I'll take a crack at it. "Here goes"

1 DOES CONCERTINISTS PREFER OLD ENGLISH OR GERMAN INSTRUMENTS

No answer to this question will be true for all concertinists. However, old English Concertinas are usually more expensive than German ones because they are usually better constructed, play better, last longer, etc. There are, of course, many exceptions.

2 WHY DOES EXPERTS IN CONCERTINA PLAYING MOSTLY PLAY MORRIS MUSIC

It's probably the other way around: Musicians for Morris Dance groups are drawn to the Concertina because it is conveniently small (needs to be played standing up, sometimes while walking), has an agreeable sound for the dancing, and has a tradition going back over a hundred years to William Kimber, who played Anglo Concertina for the Headington Quarry Morris Men in the 19th Century.

3 DO THEY HAVE CONCERTINA MARCHING BANDS

There are many photographs of Concertina Marching Bands in the past, but I don't know of any that continue to exist.

4 IS THERE DIFFERENT KINDS OF MUSIC PLAYED ON 20,30,32,39,40 KEYED

I am not an Anglo player, but I'll offer this: None of the instruments is limited in what kind of music can be played on them. More buttons give you more choices and more chromatics but are heavier and more expensive.

5 CAN YOU TELL ME DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CONCERTINA AND THE BANDEONON (FORGIVE SPELLING POOR EDUCATION)

Correct spelling: Bandoneon. It is a cousin of the German concertina that has become very popular in Argentina. It is bigger than most Concertinas and square, rather than polygonal.

6 WHERE IS THE NEAREST CONCERTINA MUSEUM

That depends where you are.

7.CAN CONCERTINA'S BE MADE ESPECIALLY FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL PLAYER OR IS IT BETTER TO FIND A QUALITY JEFFRIES

Both (as well as many other options) are possible. "Better" depends upon your own needs and resources.

8,IS THERE ANY SPECIAL ONE I SHOULD CONSIDER TO LEARN ON.

Most would suggest learning on the best instrument you can afford.

[bill_mchale]

I have been informed that before one can place an advert to buy and sell anything here,,one has to post 4 or 5 times and as I dont wish to be accused of Trolling I have placed my 8 posts here so i can understand the concertina before I give my cash away to someone for a load of "Tat" when i go to buy one..

 

Minor point, but these are questions, not posts... this is a single post

 

BUT HERE GOES

 

1 DOES CONCERTINISTS PREFER OLD ENGLISH OR GERMAN INSTRUMENTS

 

Actually many of us prefer the new instruments; there are a number of excellent instruments being produced by the likes of Frank Edgley, Bob Tedrow, the Button Box, Marcus Music, Suttner, Dipper and Wheatstone (and a number of others). These instruments all have good tone and response without the hassels that come with getting a 50-130 year old instrument.

 

2 WHY DOES EXPERTS IN CONCERTINA PLAYING MOSTLY PLAY MORRIS MUSIC

 

They don't. There is a wide range of music that is played on the concertina. Probably the most popular right now (though mostly limited to the Anglo) is Irish Music.

 

3 DO THEY HAVE CONCERTINA MARCHING BANDS

 

Ick... why would you want such a beast. Seated in a pub with a pint is so much nicer.

 

4 IS THERE DIFFERENT KINDS OF MUSIC PLAYED ON 20,30,32,39,40 KEYED

 

Not really. 20 key anglos are somewhat limiting, but after that, 30+ buttons will allow you to play melody chromatically with at least limited accompanyment in common keys. 39-40 button just allow more accompaniment.

 

5 CAN YOU TELL ME DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CONCERTINA AND THE BANDEONON

(FORGIVE SPELLING POOR EDUCATION)

 

A Bandeonon is a type of concertina actually; not discussed much here, but I believe it is used in some types of latin american music (particularly to play Tangos).

 

6 WHERE IS THE NEAREST CONCERTINA MUSEUM

 

Didn't know there was one.

 

7.CAN CONCERTINA'S BE MADE ESPECIALLY FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL PLAYER OR IS IT BETTER TO FIND A QUALITY JEFFRIES

 

Well they can be, but I recommend that in general it is better to get an instrument that is more or less standard; if you decide that the concertina is not for you it will be easier to sell that way. It doesn't need to be a Jefferies. If we are talking Anglo either Jefferies, Wheatstone or one of the slightly modified versions that makers offer for those systems should be fine.

 

8,IS THERE ANY SPECIAL ONE I SHOULD CONSIDER TO LEARN ON.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IF YOU REPLY IF NOT WELL,,,,,"CEST LA VIVE"

 

The best instrument you can afford.

[Chris Timson]

Hi,

 

Most if not all of your questions, plus a lot more you haven't thought of yet, can be answered by the Concertina FAQ. That is what it is there for.

 

Chris

 

Edited to add PS Where the nearest concertina museum is depends on where you are, but there is a good one at the Horniman museum in London. Details in the FAQ.

Edited November 15, 2005 by Chris Timson

[d.elliott]

I believe that Liverpool still has a concertina band that 'march'

 

Dave