At A Loss

[Mary]

Hi! I was given a 20 key Bastari for Christmas from my parents. I am incredibly excited but I am somewhat at a loss. I have NO idea how to play it and when I look at sheet music I get the urge to jump off of a really tall building. I play around with it and get the first strains of a couple of songs but that's as far as I've gotten. Does anyone have any suggestions? I've been googling it and I've gotten some information but does anyone have suggestions for websites I can check out that would point me in the right direction? I don't really even know proper push and pull technique, how to hold it so that my palms don't push against the wood, etc. Thank you very much for any advice!

[CaryK]

Hi! I was given a 20 key Bastari for Christmas from my parents. I am incredibly excited but I am somewhat at a loss. I have NO idea how to play it and when I look at sheet music I get the urge to jump off of a really tall building. I play around with it and get the first strains of a couple of songs but that's as far as I've gotten. Does anyone have any suggestions? I've been googling it and I've gotten some information but does anyone have suggestions for websites I can check out that would point me in the right direction? I don't really even know proper push and pull technique, how to hold it so that my palms don't push against the wood, etc. Thank you very much for any advice!

 

Mary, there are a number of good study guides. One I found useful, when I began a couple years ago was Bertram Levy's book with CDs. You can get it at the Button Box, just go to the link here

http://www.buttonbox.com/booktutor.shtml

 

And depending where you live there might be experienced players near you who would be glad to talk to you about techniques and getting started.

 

Good luck. Don't lose patience with yourself, your proficiency will come as you practice. You've started down a very rewarding road.

[David Barnert]

Alan Day (a member of this forum) has made a very popular 20-button Anglo tutorial on a CD and I have put together the music notation for the tunes on it. Both are available (free) here.

[Leo]

Hi Mary

 

Here are a couple of internet resources for learning an anglo concertina. Hope they help.

 

http://www.concertina.com/instruction/index.htm

http://www.concertina.com/anglo/index.htm

http://www.filmsonglass.co.uk/concertina-index.htm

http://www.etanbenami.com/Anglo%20Concertina%20Tutor/

 

Some videos made by one of our members

Anglo Concertina., Description and playing hints and tips

http://www.concertina.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=6509

 

Thanks

Leo

[Mary]

Thanks to each of you for the tips. Very helpful!