Concertina anyone?

[electronrider]

Anyone out there play a "squeeze box"?

I'm trying to find out about the old concertina's that the mariners on the great lakes used to play. Any links, brand experiences, places to find out more about them, etc. would be appreciated! I found a website or two that ahs some really neat old folk songs, but am having a hard time finding out what kind of instrument to obtain to play said songs.

[donsgal]

Originally Posted by electronrider

Anyone out there play a "squeeze box"?

I'm trying to find out about the old concertina's that the mariners on the great lakes used to play. Any links, brand experiences, places to find out more about them, etc. would be appreciated! I found a website or two that ahs some really neat old folk songs, but am having a hard time finding out what kind of instrument to obtain to play said songs.

My mother has my grandfather's concertina in a box in her closet. It is a beautiful work of art and I'm sure at least 100 years old. PM me if you would like some photos.

donsgal

[Old John]

Hi Rider,

I can't tell you much about playing them.
But you can find them , several kinds, at.........

http://larkinthemorning.com/

They have All Kinds of interesting Musical instruments there.
I bought a little guitar from them, buncha years ago.
I think the one Granddaughter has it now.
Nice little Instrument
I'd think they would have all kinda books & Instructional Tapes
and CD, too
G'luck!

[Thoughthound]

Lark is a good place for these kinds of instruments. Pricey, but you won't get hosed.

The concertina is like the accordion in that it uses a bellows to blow reeds.

However, most accordions allow you to play in several musical keys. The concertina allows you to play in two, usually C and G.

Instead of having piano keys, the concertina has rows of buttons. Each button makes a note when pushing the bellows and a different note when pulling. The accordion plays the same note no matter what the bellows is doing.

So, not only do you need to know the tune, you have to include proper "breathing" of the bellows or you will run out of air in the middle of a musical phrase. Reversing the direction of the bellows won't help because
you will change the note.

The concertina is more like a harmonica, blow you get one note and breathe in and get another.

So in that regard, the concertina, compared to the accordion, has a little more difficult technique and is limited in sounds, keys and octaves.

On the other hand, it is far more portable and therefore less physically exhausting to hold on to.

You can't go wrong with the established organ or diatonic harmonica manufacturers when choosing an accordion or concertina . . . Hohner, Wurlitzer, etc.

If it was made in Germany, it's probably pretty good.

One thing to keep in mind is that antiques may be slightly out of pitch with each other because the musical world didn't standardize a tuning reference pitch (International A) until sometime in the 1900s.

So if you play with friends, they may have to all tune to your "A" instead of everyone tuning to modern "A" as referenced by electronic tuning devices.

And even on modern concertinas, if the reeds wear, it may throw the pitch out a bit. They can be fixed if it is important.

[halfpint]

We have a man in town that is renowned for his concertina's. Probably a little expensive for a starter instrument though. I've been in his shop several times for other instrument repairs or purchases and he'll allow you to watch whatever he's working on. Here is his website:
http://hmi.homewood.net/
There is also a concertina website:
http://www.concertina.net/

Dawn

[Maura]

My husband plays the concertina. Elderly Instruments in Lansing MI has them, new and used. You need to decide if you want an English or German. My husband also plays a cute little made-in-China soundbox. It has a row of, I think, eight keys. Is about as loud as a concertina but much less expensive. The sound is different than a concertina and he can choose which one to play for a given tune.

[Ford8N]

Originally Posted by electronrider

Anyone out there play a "squeeze box"?

I'm trying to find out about the old concertina's that the mariners on the great lakes used to play. Any links, brand experiences, places to find out more about them, etc. would be appreciated! I found a website or two that ahs some really neat old folk songs, but am having a hard time finding out what kind of instrument to obtain to play said songs.

My dad plays the accordian and I LOVE POLKA MUSIC!!!!

My favorite bar in Milwaukee is Art Altenburg's Concertina Bar The owner is pretty old so enjoy it while it lasts. They still play live polka music there. It is a must for me if I visit friends in Milwaukee. Art has a nice display of concertinas at the bar and is quite the host.