Position Of Instrument On Leg

[mikenielsen]

Here is question number two:

 

On one of the tutorial tapes I have, the teacher says never allow the bellows of the instrument to run on your pants leg because it will be worn out more quickly by this. He says to rest only the left wooden end of the instrument on your left pant leg. But my friendly local concertina pal says for sure balance the instrument on the leg, letting the bellows rest on your pants. She claims that if I use the technique on the tape, I will tire much more quickly and get cramped up. Is it possible both are right?

 

Mike Nielsen

[JimLucas]

On one of the tutorial tapes I have, the teacher says never allow the bellows of the instrument to run on your pants leg because it will be worn out more quickly by this. He says to rest only the left wooden end of the instrument on your left pant leg. But my friendly local concertina pal says for sure balance the instrument on the leg, letting the bellows rest on your pants. She claims that if I use the technique on the tape, I will tire much more quickly and get cramped up. Is it possible both are right?

IMO, both are both right and wrong (in different details, of course).

 

Friction will almost certainly hasten the rate at which the bellows wears and develops leaks. It can reduce the bellows' life from 100 years to 20 or even five, depending on how much time you spend playing and on the fabric of your pants. It might also wear out your pant leg.

 

Some people use a piece of leather, silk, or whatever in the belief that this eliminates the friction. It may reduce it, but rubbing is still rubbing.

 

The bit about left end on left leg is a personal preference, though a common one. There are previous threads (though I don't know how easy to find through the Search options) where this is discussed. Left on left, right on right, right on left, left on right, even switching among them all for variety... they're all options. You should try each and see what is most comfortable for you.

 

And when your friend says that you will tire much more quickly and get cramped up, probably what she really means is that that has been her experience, and she's tacitly assuming that everybody experiences the same thing. Some do; some don't. E.g., I don't.

 

My own feeling is that resting the concertina -- bellows or end -- on my leg actually slows down my bellows work. I prefer the greater freedom of motion available to me by keeping the concertina suspended rather than resting on my leg, even when seated. But I don't claim that that's best for everyone, and it's also a option that can be developed later, once you no longer need to concentrate on your fingers and bellows control.

 

I also believe -- again, there are prior discussions in these Forums -- that for most people fatigue and cramping can be overcome by proper exercise and posture.

P.S. Topics of this sort are better started in the

Teaching and Learning

subForum. That makes them easier for others to find, later. (Not a scold. Just a suggestion.)

[Christian Husmann]

Here is question number two:

 

On one of the tutorial tapes I have, the teacher says never allow the bellows of the instrument to run on your pants leg because it will be worn out more quickly by this. He says to rest only the left wooden end of the instrument on your left pant leg. But my friendly local concertina pal says for sure balance the instrument on the leg, letting the bellows rest on your pants. She claims that if I use the technique on the tape, I will tire much more quickly and get cramped up. Is it possible both are right?

 

Mike Nielsen

 

Hello Mike!

 

I do agree on Jim´s opinion that pls do whatever suits you best - there are lots of posibilities and I actually rest it with one wooden corner on the left leg. Don´t ask why I did it from the very beginning that way and every change is simply irritating me now (apart from standing that is). I have seen some concertinas (ECs) that had the wood rubbed away on one of the corners and that was the part which rested on the leg. So, bellows ok, but wood sufferd

 

all the best for a good start!

Christian

[Dana Johnson]

Here is question number two:

 

On one of the tutorial tapes I have, the teacher says never allow the bellows of the instrument to run on your pants leg because it will be worn out more quickly by this. He says to rest only the left wooden end of the instrument on your left pant leg. But my friendly local concertina pal says for sure balance the instrument on the leg, letting the bellows rest on your pants. She claims that if I use the technique on the tape, I will tire much more quickly and get cramped up. Is it possible both are right?

 

Mike Nielsen

Jim about covers it, but I will mention that the end you hold on the leg is stabilized somewhat by that, which is useful for keeping the bellows from moving in non-useful directions. To this point though, it is important to have the non moving end's hand keep the concertina end still, rather than trying to push or pull notes played on that end. If you are of the one end anchored school, keep it anchored and let the other hand do all the pushing and pulling. The still hand 's job is to resist the push and pull in isometric fashion.

 

My experience is that the pushing and pulling is more tiring than holding the end of the concertina ( and my free arm ) up and have no trouble playing for hours on a good concertina. but everyone's muscles are differently developed, and I can imagine some people who's upper arms are a bit thinner might have trouble holding the extra weight for a long time.

[Dana Johnson]

Hey, when did we get those cool little people icons by our names, I presume when they are not greyed out it means we're logged in? Now that I look there are a bunch of little changes. Maybe that is why I couldn't use the forums link to get here a few minutes ago.

[Alan Day]

My suggestion would be that the Bellows end is what should be resting on your leg if you prefer to use this method,not the bellows.It is also dangerous to have loose change or keys in your pocket where you are resting the concertina, this hard surface although sandwiched between your trouser or jeans material will cause serious harm to your bellows in a fairly short time.If you intend to play for Morris then beginners should practice with the concertina up, possibly sitting on the palms of your hand as that will be the position you will be playing in public.

Al

[JimLucas]

I have seen some concertinas (ECs) that had the wood rubbed away on one of the corners and that was the part which rested on the leg. So, bellows ok, but wood sufferd

Sounds as if the end was being supported by a leg, but still moved back and forth. So instead of holding the end fixed to anchor it, I think the player must have just moved the part being rubbed from the bellows to the wooden end. Not something I would recommend.

 

Resting the end on the leg should stabilize it (as Dana said), not just support the weight as it moves back and forth.

[Alan Day]

It might have been a wooden leg Jim.

Al

[Guest Old Leaky]

Here is question number two:

 

... never allow the bellows of the instrument to run on your pants leg because it will be worn out ...

Mike Nielsen

 

Er, those of you who also play melodeon (struggling to find a suitable common name here!) will know that the opposite can be true - the bellows will wear out your trousers!

[Pete Dunk]

Hey, when did we get those cool little people icons by our names, I presume when they are not greyed out it means we're logged in? Now that I look there are a bunch of little changes. Maybe that is why I couldn't use the forums link to get here a few minutes ago.

 

So it would seem Dana; the little icons are now 'hot' showing when we are on line and allowing shortcuts to member profiles, PMs and so on. The wonders of modern technology!

 

It would seem that posting options have been upgraded too. I guess we old folk will just have to feel our way around for a while.

[mikenielsen]

Thanks everyone for your help. I am going to be playing mostly Irish reels, jigs and polkas, so I reckon I will keep the wooden bellow end anchored on my left leg. I appreciate the advice.

 

Mike

[ragtimer]

Er, those of you who also play melodeon (struggling to find a suitable common name here!) will know that the opposite can be true - the bellows will wear out your trousers!

Yes! WHen my Stagi Hayden Duet was new, it used to rub off brown spots on my khakis.

 

SInce then I have tried to hold one wooden end or the other on one leg or the other. I tend to switch which end and which leg from time to time in a session. Actually I suspect I still "whipsaw" the bellows across my lap sometimes.

 

I would guess that Anglo palyers would have mroe trouble holding one end steady, while EC and Duet players, who reverse the bellows only after every couple of bars (measures, not pubs ), can better benefit from a steady end.

 

About the new Forum: I had no troulbe getting here from saved link, but had to log in, which I hadn't done in weeks. I see we have mroe buttons to push while posting. Is there anythign to make quoting easier (like gettting them to balance out)? --Mike K.

 

PS: Might we ever get a spell checker? From the above you can see why I don't play EC

Edited September 9, 2007 by ragtimer

[Sailor]

The Concertina Connection offers a neck cord which allows to play standing upright. I never tried it and I'm not shure if thats the right thing for playing irish tunes. Anyone with experience with a neck cord?

[Gerry]

Thanks everyone for your help. I am going to be playing mostly Irish reels, jigs and polkas, so I reckon I will keep the wooden bellow end anchored on my left leg. I appreciate the advice.

 

Mike

Mike, there was a poll here a while back on holding the concertina - have a look at This thread

 

Last weekend at Stowmarket, I had the pleasure of watching Mary McNamara and John Kirkpatrick. Mary stradles the bellows across the left leg, whilst John uses the right leg as an anchor - at least when using an anchor at all. There seemed very little bellows movement with Mary, so probably not too much wear. It was one of he most relaxed playing styles I've seen. Wonderful!

 

Edited to correct typo in the link

Edited September 9, 2007 by Gerry

[groeswenphil]

Sometimes I play with my legs crossed, left over right . This creates a sort of cavern between your right thigh and left leg. Now, if you place the left end of the concertina into this cavern, you might find that the tune rings out clearly whilst the bass accompaniment becomes a bit more muffled.

I suppose it depends a bit on how much fat you are carrying in your thighs, but for me it works well )

Phil

[JimLucas]

...if you place the left end of the concertina into this cavern, you might find that the tune rings out clearly whilst the bass accompaniment becomes a bit more muffled.

This assumes playing in an "English" style, not an "Irish" style, yes?

[ragtimer]

...if you place the left end of the concertina into this cavern, you might find that the tune rings out clearly whilst the bass accompaniment becomes a bit more muffled.

This assumes playing in an "English" style, not an "Irish" style, yes?

And it certainly applies to any kind of Duet, for which we duetters are grateful. --Mike K.

[harpomatic]

Resting bellows on your leg will wear out your pants. If you do chose to play that way(which has its pros and cons well described by our friends here), make sure you protect whatever you are wearing. Fine fabric especially can get destroyed in one session.