Hey Jan...

[John B]

So what would you recommend if someone wanted to try playing a concertina? (or more likely mess around with one and then decide it's too hard, given my track record with instruments). Not knowing anything about concertinas except for what you've posted here, I was thinking primarily for accompaniment, rather than as a lead instrument.

1. Is there such a thing as a "beginner" concertina?
2. Are there any particular brands that are better in the low-end category, or brands/types to avoid?
3. Any other recommendations?

[concertinagirl]

Jul 20, 2023 7:39:39 GMT -5 John B said:

So what would you recommend if someone wanted to try playing a concertina? (or more likely mess around with one and then decide it's too hard, given my track record with instruments). Not knowing anything about concertinas except for what you've posted here, I was thinking primarily for accompaniment, rather than as a lead instrument.

1. Is there such a thing as a "beginner" concertina?
2. Are there any particular brands that are better in the low-end category, or brands/types to avoid?
3. Any other recommendations?

To my knowledge, there is no such thing as a “beginner” concertina.  However, that question has made me smile...thank you for that.

If you only want to use a concertina as an accompaniment, I would suggest trying the little hexagon shaped concertina like you see Irish sailors playing in the movies.  Lar bought me one and it is the sweetest sounding little instrument.  When my music partner plays her mandolin and I play the little one as an accompaniment, it is heavenly sounding.  The little one has far fewer buttons and you can learn to play it using standard sheet music which you probably are already able to do.  I actually had to learn to read music after receiving it as a gift.  Although, I had learned the values of notes when I was a child, all of the music I read is “concertina music.”  I don’t know any concertina player who reads standard music.  I only know one person who can translate regular sheet music into concertina music and he did so for me so I could play the “Iowa Waltz” when Lar and I came to play with Todd in Iowa.

I am not saying it is ever too late to learn a new instrument, however it is a very difficult instrument in that there are 30 buttons on each side and each button has two tones, i.e., one on the press and one on the draw.  The left hand is bass and the right hand is melody.  Kind of like patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time.  Concertina music is coded so you know when to press and when to pull.  Much different (much easier) than an accordion in that each key has only one tone and you only need to press one button to get a full chord.  My father was a fine accordionist and it was his intention to learn to play the concertina along with me.  He lasted for two lessons and quit.  I was only seven and too young to know that it was too hard to learn. 

The most common brand is “Star.”  I have several of those in various keys.  I believe they were made in Chicago and you can still find used ones on ebay at a reasonable price. I have concertinas in B flat/G, F, & concert pitch.  B flat works best for my voice.  You would need to figure out what works best for your vocals.  I only use B flat for gigs not only because it fits my voice but also because my music partner won’t have to keep changing her key i.e., when I play a G chord she has to play a step up or something like that.  If I played a different concertina she would have to adjust.  It’s basically a pain in the butt for anyone playing along with you.   You wouldn’t have any of these concerns with the little hexagon concertina.   

I have two concertinas that were imported from Italy, my parents gifted them to me, and I think the Star concertinas sound just as beautiful. 

Hopes this helps. 

[concertinagirl]

Jul 20, 2023 8:57:46 GMT -5 concertinagirl said:

Jul 20, 2023 8:54:28 GMT -5 concertinagirl said:

Lar bought me this little concertina for my birthday only months before he died.  He bought it directly from Ireland.  It was supposed to be a surprise.  I happened to be home when the UPS guy came.  I had to sign for it.  The box had been opened and on the side of it was written in big letters, “CONCERTINA.”  So much for Lar’s surprise.  LOL!

[Dub]

Or, you could get one of these…


reverb.com/item/69898280-lolite-cajun-accordion?bk=

And play like this…

[John B]

Thanks, Jan, for all of that information.

Dub, given my abilities to pick up new instruments I should probably take up autoharp instead.

[Dub]

Jul 20, 2023 15:37:14 GMT -5 John B said:

Thanks, Jan, for all of that information.

Dub, given my abilities to pick up new instruments I should probably take up autoharp instead.

Thought you might enjoy this.

[Dub]

Just to keep the pressure on, I came across a digitized copy of an old VHS tape on learning to play the Cajun accordion. The instructor says he's Dewey Balfa's son-in-law so I assume that is Dewey's daughter playing guitar. I think she was with her parents as a little girl when I got to hear and meet Dewey, the Balfa Brothers, Nathan Abshire, and their families.

[majorminor]

Jul 20, 2023 15:37:14 GMT -5 John B said:

Thanks, Jan, for all of that information.

Dub, given my abilities to pick up new instruments I should probably take up autoharp instead.

How about the "Zydeco Tie"? Substitute that harmonica for a kazoo and it's easy money from here on out.