Hi, just wanted to say thanks. I inherited a Jack English Concertina from my father in law and your videos have helped me understand this instrument, I have even set up a TH-cam channel to encourage me to learn and share new songs.
Hello, Daddy Long Les, I enjoyed your concertina videos very much. I want to learn to play Irish, klezmer and some other folk tunes on the concertina, but which one is better: the Anglo or the English? I play piano by ear, can pick out any tune on the piano, and of course I have fingering skills. I guess, I'm wondering which will give me the greatest number of chords, and which has the greatest range. For example, "The Irish Washerwoman's Song" is in the key of G, with the lowest being the D, a whole step above middle C, and the highest note being the B, which is 2 octaves above middle C. (Did I explain that right?)Thanks for any information you can give me. Gretchen
Thanks for the intro video. I have always wondered how concertina players remembered which keys to press. I just had an epiphany -- I learned how to touch type when I was young. I don't look at the keyboard when I type this comment. I just realized that playing the concertina is the same thing - once you really learn the keys, it's similar to typing on the keyboard. Do you think that metaphor is correct? 🙂
Hi! Greetings from Tucson Arizona, USA! We enjoyed your video! My husband and I are looking to buy our first concertina and this was quite informative. It just so happens that the "Jackie" is the model recommended to us by the shop here called "The Button Box", so this information was particularly relevant for us. Our band plays lots of different kinds of music and the sales lady there said the English concertina would probably be best for us to start with. If and when we buy one, we'll check out your other videos. Thank you!
Bellows.four bar change is okay to start with, but there is much more to bellows changes than that which you suggest. I would suggest a bit more experimentation, two bar change is just as good as 4 bar change for bellows reversal Dick Miles
for example, if i was playing morris tunes i would reverse my bellows much more frequently than you suggest, however your videos are well planned, clear well explained and easy to follow.
Thank you so much for your upload Could you tell me where can I buy the same instrument Amazon? Or eBay? etc I am in Australia in case any place to buy in Australia Regards Richard
Hi Richard - the only place I know that sells this concertina is Red Cow Music in the UK or you could try Concertina Connections - they're based in the US I think.
My father received an instrument as a gift in his older years, and thoroughly enjoyed learning to play it. I don't know what to call it, though. It seems to be played like a concertina, but it's larger, and looks like a button accordian. Can you tell me what it is? Thank you .
Hi Joel. The thumb loops should not be tight. Obviously it does depend on the size of your hands/thumbs but I tend to just have the ends of my thumbs inside the loops. Don't forget, you also get support from having your little fingers under the rests.
You can get wrist straps added which I found really helps take the strain off your pinkies. Generally though I think it's a case of keeping an eye on your grip to make sure you're not too tense, and just building up strength in your pinkies I'm afraid.
It's easier to play seated, with the instrument on your knee. I have sometimes held the instrument up under my chin, with the rows vertical. The heels of your hands take some of the weight, and what weight is on the tips of vertically held pinkies, which is easier.
Les, just a guitar slugger here. Really enjoyed all of that, thanks so much! Wouldn't mind you as a neighbour ;-)
That video set up is quite impressive.
I just bought a Jackie - same as You have - it is a great fun!
I have my dad’s and am hoping to learn this year. His is leather and is probably 70 years old.
Hi, just wanted to say thanks. I inherited a Jack English Concertina from my father in law and your videos have helped me understand this instrument, I have even set up a TH-cam channel to encourage me to learn and share new songs.
That's great Stuart. I've subscribed to your channel.
That was great!...Really interesting...Thanks a lot.
You are welcome!
Fantastic, helpful video, thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
We have the exact same one omg I was just looking at vids and saw this
You got a great deal with that McNeela. The badge on the right side, top.
It's a Jackie made by Concertina Connections. The budget McNeela boxes are Wren and Swan I believe.
Hello, Daddy Long Les, I enjoyed your concertina videos very much. I want to learn to play Irish, klezmer and some other folk tunes on the concertina, but which one is better: the Anglo or the English? I play piano by ear, can pick out any tune on the piano, and of course I have fingering skills. I guess, I'm wondering which will give me the greatest number of chords, and which has the greatest range. For example, "The Irish Washerwoman's Song" is in the key of G, with the lowest being the D, a whole step above middle C, and the highest note being the B, which is 2 octaves above middle C. (Did I explain that right?)Thanks for any information you can give me. Gretchen
Thanks for the intro video. I have always wondered how concertina players remembered which keys to press. I just had an epiphany -- I learned how to touch type when I was young. I don't look at the keyboard when I type this comment. I just realized that playing the concertina is the same thing - once you really learn the keys, it's similar to typing on the keyboard. Do you think that metaphor is correct? 🙂
You bet!
Hi! Greetings from Tucson Arizona, USA! We enjoyed your video! My husband and I are looking to buy our first concertina and this was quite informative. It just so happens that the "Jackie" is the model recommended to us by the shop here called "The Button Box", so this information was particularly relevant for us. Our band plays lots of different kinds of music and the sales lady there said the English concertina would probably be best for us to start with. If and when we buy one, we'll check out your other videos. Thank you!
Thanks for your kind comments. Lots of luck with your instrument if you get it. I've taught my wife to play in the past few weeks and she's loving it.
Bellows.four bar change is okay to start with, but there is much more to bellows changes than that which you suggest. I would suggest a bit more experimentation, two bar change is just as good as 4 bar change for bellows reversal Dick Miles
for example, if i was playing morris tunes i would reverse my bellows much more frequently than you suggest, however your videos are well planned, clear well explained and easy to follow.
Uhg. Thanks a lot. Now I want one of these as well, lol
Can you play with a reduced volume or quietly on a concertina? Thank you for your time. I remaine John Brock
Yes. The volume is controlled by the amount of pressure on the bellows.
Thank you so much for your upload
Could you tell me where can I buy the same instrument
Amazon? Or eBay? etc
I am in Australia in case any place to buy in Australia
Regards
Richard
Hi Richard - the only place I know that sells this concertina is Red Cow Music in the UK or you could try Concertina Connections - they're based in the US I think.
My father received an instrument as a gift in his older years, and thoroughly enjoyed learning to play it. I don't know what to call it, though. It seems to be played like a concertina, but it's larger, and looks like a button accordian. Can you tell me what it is? Thank you .
bandoneon, maybe?
Where can I buy this kind of concertina
Is this the same one that you can find on amazon.com?
I have a question, I tight should your thumb loops be? Should just the very front of your thumbs should be in the loops?
Hi Joel. The thumb loops should not be tight. Obviously it does depend on the size of your hands/thumbs but I tend to just have the ends of my thumbs inside the loops. Don't forget, you also get support from having your little fingers under the rests.
I am holding the concertina like you suggested but my pinky fingers are killing me holding it. Any suggestions on this problem?
You can get wrist straps added which I found really helps take the strain off your pinkies. Generally though I think it's a case of keeping an eye on your grip to make sure you're not too tense, and just building up strength in your pinkies I'm afraid.
It's easier to play seated, with the instrument on your knee. I have sometimes held the instrument up under my chin, with the rows vertical. The heels of your hands take some of the weight, and what weight is on the tips of vertically held pinkies, which is easier.
Man, I am a European living in the US and nothing beats American altruism.