I could hardly wait to open the box and felt quite emotional when I did. So far, I'm following the tutorial that came along with it (I'd planned to wait until an official lesson from a seasoned player because "they" say that's best but....well...I just couldn't wait) and am already experiencing a rather sore fingertip from being overzealous. Any concertina players out there with good tips for beginners?
Thanks fiddle, I've been using concertina.net for about a year now, great site!
Jan, Ed, Barb, and Syl, I'm so excited...and will try to keep the excitement somewhat at bay over the next few weeks. So far I've learned the notes for four tunes and am working on making them sound like music Y'know, I have to drive an hour to meet with people who show an appreciation for Irish music, so it really is a treat to come to IC from the comfort of my own home and be able to share enthusiasm over such. You are all cool beans
And do you know I saw one in a local charity shop the other day - pride of place in the window - it looked very old but still in good condition. They had priced it at £85.
gasp!* Syl, who was the maker? Were the bellows something other than paper? One of the "tests" of a used concertina is to check that the bellows still work by holding it by one end and seeing how far the other end droops down. If...if it doesn't much droop and seems to be worthwhile...and...and if you'd be willing....maybe we should make sure it finds a new home. Donevan just asked for one the other day
Bronwyne I don't know what kind it is...a german one I think.It has thick paper type. Like a cardboard but not quite as hard as cardboard.
Oh would I love to be over there Comfort..I love antiques and a lot of people put things into charity shops not realising the value or age of things.
Some peoples trash is another persons treasure.
[Last Editor: jools, May 1, 2007 5:30 pm. Total Edits: 1]
Being a coin collector often means that I get asked about anything but coins. I'm not into musical instruments although I know the new - and secondhand - market is expensive if you want quality but that is par for the course with anything. I've put my hand in my pocket for grandsons - one play electric 6 string guitar and the other plays bass guitar in a school band that has played gigs at a few venues. Love music.
I just love antiques. I have mens thob watches, rings and some bit of furniture ,very old wall phone. some I have bought , some came from England..
What a tale they could tell. ..if only
Me too, jools. I have my grandpa's wire-rimmed glasses setting on some bookis from the 1800s and my great-grandpa's initialed stick pins laying in sn open drawer of my grandma's jewelry box. We also have an old telegraph that ew found when we moved out of my childhood home--no clue where it came from. You've given me some good story ideas though just by bringing this up--short tales about these treasures.
my mom and dad work in selling and restoring antiques--or did before mom's recent recoup.--now dad's retired. i love ant.s too, but i collect antique books. love the feeling of sharing same pages and emotions as someone long ago--that peculiar sense of connection.
y'all have some really cool stuff goin' on here with some of y'all's items--nice to know others like preserving some things, too.
ha, ha, ha,--jools, i'm sorry, i think i miscommunicated mom and dad did the restoring themselves--and they have good rep. mom and dad have actually done quite a lot of complaining about that themselves when they've been hired to fix someone else's botch. they also sold antiques at two different antique malls-one in ky., and one here in tn. if i can remember sometime soon, and get the chance, i'll get pics. of their work and post--does anyone here like handmade quilts? mom did those, two, and did seamstress work for few years. both are from back in "hills and hollers"--wish i knew how else to explain--but maybe will figure out later.
Enjoy your music making--I am content to listen. 
