Leo Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 (edited) Gipsy Violin a.o. 1933 Percy & Mary Honri http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcI6FHp4Vg0 I found this unique and interesting, and responded to a post about these performers, until I realised it was in the buy and sell forum. I think it would be more appropriate to mention it here in the history forum so it doesn't get lost. Thanks Leo Edited September 20, 2007 by Leo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterT Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 Gipsy Violin a.o. 1933 Percy & Mary Honrihttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcI6FHp4Vg0 This video will also assist those enquiring how to play a large duet concertina whilst standing. Looks easy, but must have taken a fair bit of practice. I've had a quick scan through "Working the Halls", but can't find reference to the number of buttons (maybe the musicians just played them in those days, rather than "counted the rivets"!). Thanks for posting this, Leo. Regards, Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted September 20, 2007 Author Share Posted September 20, 2007 Did a little looking. I found Mary and Percy played in one movie together called "The Schooner Gang" in 1937. I suspect this clip is from this movie. http://imdb.com/title/tt0165462/ Percy played in two more: "Lilly of Killarney" (1934), and "Say it With Flowers" (also 1934) http://imdb.com/name/nm0393404/ Interesting Thanks Leo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan atlas Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 LEO: many thanks for the wonderful clip........Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wes williams Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 I'll second Allan on that! Many thanks Leo. It brings back memories of seeing those old duet players in the early 1970s, including Peter Honri. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted September 22, 2007 Author Share Posted September 22, 2007 (edited) I believe it's the same video clip available for download from here: http://www.britishpathe.com/product_displa...earchword=honri There is aother video clip available here: http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/721866/index.html but I don't have access to it Thanks Leo Edited September 22, 2007 by Leo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan atlas Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 LEO: nor could i access that second clip..........Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted September 22, 2007 Author Share Posted September 22, 2007 (edited) Allan On the right of the words Video Clip is a little icon of a movie frame. It takes me to this error message: http://www.screenonline.org.uk/media/stream.jsp?id=658420 You do not have access to video and audioScreenonline video and audio content is only available through registered UK schools, colleges, universities and libraries. for more details, see our help page if you are a UK school, college, university or library, see our registration instructions Unfortunately I'm not associated with any "registered UK school"; or US school for that matter. And unfortunate that it's not available to us mere mortals. Thanks Leo Edited September 22, 2007 by Leo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Crabb Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 Hi All, The 'Gypsy Violin' clip was included in a British TV programme about the 'Music Halls' a few years ago, and the presenter reported that - 'This film was made in 1936. They (Percy and his daughter) were appearing at the Chiswick Empire at the time and they were taken by car to the film studio in Wardour Street between the matinee (afternoon) and evening performances hence the heavy makeup and stage attire.' An acknowlegement to Peter Honri suggests that he had supplied this information. Examination of the clip in slow motion does not clearly indicate the number of keys but I would suggest that it is 67 McCann (Wheatstone). I also think that it must have been a 'lightweight' model judging by the handling at the end of the clip. Concerning the use of these instruments in the standing position it must be realised that most of those that used to perform standing had played the instrument for many years, perhaps from childhood. Indeed my father was 'put to' the Duet at the age of 8 years and taught in the standing position. Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterT Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 Examination of the clip in slow motion does not clearly indicate the number of keys but I would suggest that it is 67 McCann (Wheatstone). I also think that it must have been a 'lightweight' model judging by the handling at the end of the clip. Hi Geoff, I tend to agree. I've tried freeze-frame and zooming in, but the definition is not good enough. I'm fairly certain that Peter Honri played a 67 key Wheatstone, and it may well have been this instrument. Percy also had two larger Maccanns (photos - "Working the Halls") but they were both 6-sided "lozenge" shape. Regards, Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirge Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 Lightweight or not he must have surprisingly good shoulder muscles to keep that up for any time! I'm not sure if I'm pleased or sad to see there's no trick to it; I clearly just have to practice more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan atlas Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 FOLKS: with respect to playing the concertina standing up: one simply gets used to it. . . . . . .REALLY...........Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirge Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 OK, message understood....! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mthatcher61 Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 When I am trying to play my Anglo whilst standing up, it wants to bottom out. The two faces will not stay perpendicular. The only thing I can think to remedy this is to support the lower parts of the faces with my pinky, but then, I lose two perfectly good digits to press and pull with. Are my straps too loose? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterT Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 When I am trying to play my Anglo whilst standing up, it wants to bottom out. The two faces will not stay perpendicular. The only thing I can think to remedy this is to support the lower parts of the faces with my pinky, but then, I lose two perfectly good digits to press and pull with. Are my straps too loose? See the link below as to how John Kirkpatrick does it! Basically using three fingers on each hand unless the little fingers are required to play notes. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3UMRP0126gk&...ted&search= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m3838 Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 Basically using three fingers on each hand unless the little fingers are required .... In other words: "The answer is always "yes", unless a "no" is required". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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