Stephen Chambers Posted February 22, 2004 Share Posted February 22, 2004 (edited) I don't think that concertinist is a 'proper' word; concertina player, well hopefully. Certainly something to aspire to. Dave, Does this mean you also prefer "organ player" to "organist", "guitar player" to "guitarist", "violin player" to "violinist", etc., etc., etc. ? I would think the opposite, that the "-ist" suffix suggests more status, as in "X is only a piano player, but Y is a pianist". Or maybe you think it pretentious ? I will admit that it does have rather an "old-fashioned" ring to it, but perhaps that is because of the lowly status our beloved instrument is perceived as having. Stephen P.S. Thinking some more about this, most of us probably come to the concertina via folk music, in which case we would probably say "guitar player", rather than "guitarist", and even "fiddler", rather than "violin player", never mind "violinist". In which case, given that our chosen instrument is often referred to as a "squeezebox" (or a "squashbox" in Zululand), and the Irish preference to descrbe a button accordion (and sometimes, by extension, a concertina) as a "box", or an "accordionist" as a "box player", maybe we should all be known as "boxers", and not just Jim (the Heavyweight Champion of us all) ? Of course, there is always "boxist" as an alternative, but I don't think it would win many votes. Edited to add Postscript. Edited February 23, 2004 by Stephen Chambers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimLucas Posted February 23, 2004 Share Posted February 23, 2004 (edited) In which case, given that our chosen instrument is often referred to as a "squeezebox" (or a "squashbox" in Zululand), and the Irish preference to descrbe a button accordion (and sometimes, by extension, a concertina) as a "box", or an "accordionist" as a "box player", maybe we should all be known as "boxers",... Then we could join together to stage a "boxer rebellion", and take over the world! Edited February 23, 2004 by JimLucas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Chambers Posted February 23, 2004 Share Posted February 23, 2004 Then we could join together to stage a "boxer rebellion", and take over the world ... so that the combined forces of IBM & Microsoft could be set to work, to produce the perfect MIDI concertina ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Madge Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 I think that the problem with "concertinaist" is the juxtaposition of vowel sounds. Ever heard of a "mandolaist" or a "violaist". Even a Flute player is a "Flautist". Robin Madge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Timson Posted February 24, 2004 Author Share Posted February 24, 2004 ... so that the combined forces of IBM & Microsoft could be set to work, to produce the perfect MIDI concertina ! Oh, Lord, what a nightmare. Have your concertina powered by Wheatstone XP Professional Edition.... At least until it crashes. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimLucas Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 I think that the problem with "concertinaist" is the juxtaposition of vowel sounds. Well, yeah, but we were discussing "concertinist", not "concertinaist". ...After all, nobody says "violaist", "celloist", or "pianoist". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhomylly Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 how about "super squeezer"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimLucas Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 how about "super squeezer"? And a concertinist who's always hitting sour notes would be a "lemon squeezer"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Madge Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 (edited) ...After all, nobody says "violaist", "celloist", or "pianoist". But you don't drop the "a" and get "mandolist" or "violist" either. I'm scratching my head to think of other instruments ending in "a". I think you're OK if it ends in an "o", just by droping the "o", (oboe is "oe" and a law unto itself) but not with an "a". Robin Madge (editied when I remembered the oboe) Edited February 24, 2004 by Robin Madge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimLucas Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 ...After all, nobody says "violaist", "celloist", or "pianoist". But you don't drop the "a" and get "mandolist" or "violist" either. I'm scratching my head to think of other instruments ending in "a". "Violist", definitely! "Mandolist" might also be proper, but the mandola is uncommon enough that it wouldn't be recognized and might create confusion, seeming an improper shortening of "mandolinist". But probably "mandola player" is sufficient. How about "Victrolist"? Like "gramophonist", though I think I like "gramophony" better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Chambers Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 "Mandolist" might also be proper, but the mandola is uncommon enough that it wouldn't be recognized and might create confusion, seeming an improper shortening of "mandolinist". But probably "mandola player" is sufficient. It may not be commonplace, but "mandolist" is proper, I have come across it used to describe a mandola player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimLucas Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 It may not be commonplace, but "mandolist" is proper, I have come across it used to describe a mandola player. That doesn't necessarily make it proper. You shouldn't hear what some people have used to describe concertina players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Chambers Posted February 25, 2004 Share Posted February 25, 2004 That doesn't necessarily make it proper. They were very genteel, Victorian mandolists, they wouldn't have dared be improper ! You shouldn't hear what some people have used to describe concertina players. Why do you think I wear earplugs ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Chambers Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 Look out Jim ! You appear to be in severe danger of receiving a fresh "Honour" in the next couple of days ! What will it be ? (991 and counting ...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henk van Aalten Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 You appear to be in severe danger of receiving a fresh "Honour" in the next couple of days ! And you Stephen are heading to the transfer from "Advanced Member" to "Chatty Concertinist". Comparing "Advanced" with "Chatty", I see it as a serious degradation, that is not compensated by the upgrading from "Member" to "Concertinist" I admit that I am also approaching horrible moment Henk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Chambers Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 Comparing "Advanced" with "Chatty", I see it as a serious degradation, that is not compensated by the upgrading from "Member" to "Concertinist" Agreed, but then, I could never claim to be any kind of "Advanced Concertinist", and as for "Chatty Member" ... I admit that I am also approaching horrible moment Commiserations ! (I know how it feels.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimLucas Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 You appear to be in severe danger of receiving a fresh "Honour" in the next couple of days ! That assumes that 1000 is the next boundary. I'll admit that it seems reasonable, but maybe for fun Ken set it at 1111, or some such. What will it be ? Ah, therre's the question. "Knockout Boxer"? (For which I could be "knocked out" of the Forum?) "Millennium Squeezer"? "Boxnoxious Poster"? "Rest-less Poster"? "Flying Fingers"? "Anaconda" (the "longest" squeezer on Concertina.net)? Hurry with your own suggestions, and if Ken likes one well enough, he just might substitute it for whatever is currently waiting in the wings. ....Right, Ken? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Chambers Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 (edited) What will it be ? Ah, therre's the question. ... "Anaconda" (the "longest" squeezer on Concertina.net)? No, can't use that, that's a mega Serpent ! (You know, like Colin Dipper plays !) Hurry with your own suggestions, and if Ken likes one well enough, he just might substitute it for whatever is currently waiting in the wings.....Right, Ken? How about "Boxaholic" ? Edited March 4, 2004 by Stephen Chambers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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