Looking For A Beginner Anglo G/d Or Used Jackie

[ghs]

If anyone knows of a good sounding used Anglo for a beginner. Or if some one has a used Jackie.

I would really appreciate a response. It can also be located in Europe. I know everyone says to get a more expensive one at first but for now I need one with a good sound, good playing and fair price. If anyone asks why either the one or the other, than that is because I don't know which one and like them both according to their set-ups.....so, if anyone wants to give me a push in one direction or the other, go ahead.

 

Also, does anyone have any experience with handicapped children (autism) and the concertina? I would like my son, who sings all the time, to try to play something, easily. Would the concertina be an instrument for him or is it too difficult? Obviously I don't think that he will start off on a Jig but so that he can play simple tunes. I hope that perhaps some one has some experience or have heard of others who have tried and either failed or succeeded. I would also love to hear some comments on this topic and in particular which type of concertina.

[Chris Timson]

I've not had experience with autistic people, but I have met a lot of people who want to start in music but don't know where to start. The anglo is good for them because it is very quickly rewarding. To get good requires effort, as with any instrument, but it doesn't take long to get some early payback and that can be very important in getting the motivation going. I should also say that the same is even more true of the melodeon (US: button accordion). With the melodeon you have the same advantages for melody and an easy bass end for instant accompaniment, plus cost for quality advantages over the concertina.

 

So it may sound like heresy to say that here, but if people are looking for an instrument to start on without a clear idea which one I usually steer them in the direction of the melodeon.

 

Chris

[ghs]

Thank you very much for your response. I have however never quite thought of a melodeon due to the fact that my husband plays a 4 row diatonic German/Austrian Button Box. I have tried playing it before but it is too large and too heavy for me and therefore very uncomfortable and painful to play. Although, I do agree with you when you say that one can get good results very quickly. However, to be honest, the push/pull technique does scare me a bit. I am not sure that my brain can function that way. This does make me a bit worrysome in regards to the Anglo. There are also no players anywhere in our area to try some concertinas out. Otherwise I think I would know within a day which one I would prefer. I am not a beginner musician, just a wanna be beginner concertina player. Oh well..... Thank you very much for your answer and a naturally a response is always welcome.

Edited August 30, 2007 by ghs

[Ken_Coles]

If you can give us some idea where you live, we may be able to find an anglo-owning member near you. There's nothing like seeing the instrument in person and trying it out.

 

Ken

[m3838]

Do you want an instrument for yourself or for your son?

Are you working with autistic children or your son is autistic?

There are different degrees of Autism, as you probably know. To the point, that most of talented people are somewhat autistic.

We had concerns about our daughter, who is 6 now. I think she does have a degree of Autism, but it doesn't prevent her from acting socially. I heard about children, who were normal, but were striken with Autism later, and reverse stories. All due to diet, it seems.

On instrument: I have very tiny one row, one reed per note, button accordion, that is made by Schweizer orgele maker (another Austrian buttonbox type). But mine has nothing in common with more advanced, semi-chromatic Orgelis. It's just one row, 4 bass button accordion. Very cute and good sounding. Kids love it! So don't rule it out.

As for push/pull, I had the same initial reaction, but then realized how simple it is.

English concertina may puzzle you just as well, as it alternates scale between the sides.

[ghs]

If you can give us some idea where you live, we may be able to find an anglo-owning member near you. There's nothing like seeing the instrument in person and trying it out.

 

Ken

 

 

Salzburg, Austria

[ghs]

Do you want an instrument for yourself or for your son?

Are you working with autistic children or your son is autistic?

There are different degrees of Autism, as you probably know. To the point, that most of talented people are somewhat autistic.

We had concerns about our daughter, who is 6 now. I think she does have a degree of Autism, but it doesn't prevent her from acting socially. I heard about children, who were normal, but were striken with Autism later, and reverse stories. All due to diet, it seems.

On instrument: I have very tiny one row, one reed per note, button accordion, that is made by Schweizer orgele maker (another Austrian buttonbox type). But mine has nothing in common with more advanced, semi-chromatic Orgelis. It's just one row, 4 bass button accordion. Very cute and good sounding. Kids love it! So don't rule it out.

As for push/pull, I had the same initial reaction, but then realized how simple it is.

English concertina may puzzle you just as well, as it alternates scale between the sides.

 

 

Both, so I realize that one instrument will not suit both needs.

The idea with the one row is wonderful though for my son (he is autistic, but relative high-function).

I did not know that something like what you have is even made.......

 

 

In the meantime, I have looked into this. I found one, however it looks like it costs a fortune.

What can I expect to spend on this??

 

Thank you for the tip.

Edited August 30, 2007 by ghs

[ragtimer]

Do you want an instrument for yourself or for your son?

 

As for push/pull, I had the same initial reaction, but then realized how simple it is.

English concertina may puzzle you just as well, as it alternates scale between the sides.

Both, so I realize that one instrument will not suit both needs.

The idea with the one row is wonderful though for my son (he is autistic, but relative high-function).

 

In the meantime, I have looked into this. I found one, however it looks like it costs a fortune.

What can I expect to spend on this??

I'm thinking you could buy a new Rochelle anglo and a new Jackie English for about 550 Euro combined, thus allowing both you and your son to try them both at once and see what's right for each of you. They are both easy to sell at nearly their full value if they don't both work out.

 

It is a very individual thing about which is harder to grasp -- the Anglo's push-pull (same as a harmonica) versus the English's alternating sides. You won't know until you try, and it may take more than a few minutes (as when visiting wiht a player) to tell.

Best wishes, and let us know how this works out -- Mike K.

[ghs]

Do you want an instrument for yourself or for your son?

 

As for push/pull, I had the same initial reaction, but then realized how simple it is.

English concertina may puzzle you just as well, as it alternates scale between the sides.

Both, so I realize that one instrument will not suit both needs.

The idea with the one row is wonderful though for my son (he is autistic, but relative high-function).

 

In the meantime, I have looked into this. I found one, however it looks like it costs a fortune.

What can I expect to spend on this??

I'm thinking you could buy a new Rochelle anglo and a new Jackie English for about 550 Euro combined, thus allowing both you and your son to try them both at once and see what's right for each of you. They are both easy to sell at nearly their full value if they don't both work out.

 

It is a very individual thing about which is harder to grasp -- the Anglo's push-pull (same as a harmonica) versus the English's alternating sides. You won't know until you try, and it may take more than a few minutes (as when visiting wiht a player) to tell.

Best wishes, and let us know how this works out -- Mike K.

 

 

Thank you, I will. ghs

 

I found a shop online in England called The Music Room. They have Stagi also (a 50P difference to the Rochelle but a bright red thing). Do you advise to keep my hands from the Stagi and to go for the Rochelle??? ghs

Edited September 1, 2007 by ghs

[Pete Dunk]

I found a shop online in England called The Music Room. They have Stagi also (a 50P difference to the Rochelle but a bright red thing). Do you advise to keep my hands from the Stagi and to go for the Rochelle??? ghs

 

As you live in Austria you might be better off buying Rochelle and Jackie concertinas direct from Concertina Connection. Remember that the prices on this website are less tax so you have to add 19% to the amount shown. Wim Wakker, who designed these instruments, provides excellent support if you have any problems.

 

I have a Jack and a Jackie and I'm very pleased with them. It's a long time since I played a Stagi but I do remember it being pretty awful.

 

I might have an 'as new' Jackie for sale in a few weeks time but postage to Europe could be quite expensive.

 

You say your son has 'high function' autism, does he have Asbergers or another form of ASD? I ask because I work at a specialist school and we have a number of pupils with Asbergers. I will happily have a word with the music teacher regarding instruments best suited to ASD sufferers if you wish but I won't be back at work for another two weeks.

 

Pete.

[ghs]

I found a shop online in England called The Music Room. They have Stagi also (a 50P difference to the Rochelle but a bright red thing). Do you advise to keep my hands from the Stagi and to go for the Rochelle??? ghs

 

As you live in Austria you might be better off buying Rochelle and Jackie concertinas direct from Concertina Connection. Remember that the prices on this website are less tax so you have to add 19% to the amount shown. Wim Wakker, who designed these instruments, provides excellent support if you have any problems.

 

I have a Jack and a Jackie and I'm very pleased with them. It's a long time since I played a Stagi but I do remember it being pretty awful.

 

I might have an 'as new' Jackie for sale in a few weeks time but postage to Europe could be quite expensive.

 

You say your son has 'high function' autism, does he have Asbergers or another form of ASD? I ask because I work at a specialist school and we have a number of pupils with Asbergers. I will happily have a word with the music teacher regarding instruments best suited to ASD sufferers if you wish but I won't be back at work for another two weeks.

 

Pete.

 

Dear Pete,

 

Postage to Europe is not the problem (my mom will be visiting me in October). I can wait a few weeks for if you do get the "as new" Jackie, please tell me! Also, my son is ASD as is, they do not really diagnose as clearly here as they do in the States. I don't think that for now he is anything otherwise (nor do his Drs.)

I just recently got an Autoharp from Ebay to try for him. I do not have it yet though and I found a really logical looking kids learning book online. It's just a matter of trying a few instruments out with him. Something other than drums. If it doesn't work, then I can always sell it again. I also have him play on the piano a little (however only a few days). We (as you too) have taken our summer break and are slowly thinking about school and what to do in the upcoming year. I have decided that Music has to be integrated a bit more seriously than it has in the past.

 

I hope to hear from you. Thank you,

 

Gabriela

[ragtimer]

I found a shop online in England called The Music Room. They have Stagi also (a 50P difference to the Rochelle but a bright red thing). Do you advise to keep my hands from the Stagi and to go for the Rochelle??? ghs

Stagi concertinas can be decent or bad, depending on the model, but the ROchelle and Jackie are almost certain to be better.

 

I hope one of them works for your child. FWIW, my son had some learning problems with Tourette's Syndrome. He totally failed at piano lessons, but was a natural genius at singing and acoustic guitar (progressing very rapidly thru weekly lessons), and is now very active in the local folk/rock scene.

 

When you do find the right instrument and type of music, you may be very richly rewarded.

Edited September 2, 2007 by ragtimer

[ghs]

I wanted to thank you all for your help and comments. I ended up buying a new Jackie and I love it.

Thank you so much for a little push into a wonderful musical enrichment. Greetings, ghs

p.s. for those who posted regarding my son, we still have not gotten the autoharp yet (it's on it's way)

but we are singing for now while we wait and enjoying it.