Curious About the Concertina?

This is a very quick introduction to understanding how the Anglo-Concertina works. It has always intimidated me...and for absolutely no reason than not understanding some very simple basics. Every Concertina Instruction I have found focuses entirely on Irish music. My desire was to play traditional fiddle tunes etc. And that is what I teach. I hope this little video piques your interest and you fall in love with this great little instrument! Lessons can be found at: ko-fi.com/brettridgewayslearn...
I also teach workshops, private lessons etc. If I can help in any way, please let me know!

[@jamiepittman8389]

Thank you for this intro video. I am 70 and still love playing music. Currently, I play harp, but traveling even a harpsicle is a sometimes a problem. I worry about heat and dampness and not being able to even go into a restaurant without feeling the need to take it inside to protect it from temperature changes. Thru the years, i have played other instruments: piano, violin, 5 string banjo, and found myself selling the instruments in time of need.... I say, never sell an instrument, even if you haven't played it for years. Your Concertina sounds lovely. Banjo... i never learned anything of real artistic expression: only fun stuff. But, you just encouraged me to play an instrument that my Czech grandmother played. I long for that expression of my heritage. Thank you.

[@kimtowler2527]

I picked up a cheap stagi at the beginning of lock down, traded it in and took up lessons and love, love my concertina.

[@lisaquam5537]

The concertina I bought has only 2 rows of buttons not 3. I still love this instrument and would love lessons!

[@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife]

I have lessons at ko-fi.com/brettridgewayslearningforlife

[@ubizmo]

I have to say, I've been curious about these things for years, and also intimidated. I play the tin whistle, and it's hard for me to wrap my head around the seeming complexity of even a simple D scale on that thing! When i hear people playing hornpipes and reels on them, it boggles my mind.

[@Andreasito]

There are different options to play certain notes, using different buttons (in different rows and bellow-directions) for the same note. To illustrate: By this it is possible to either "pull out" the entire g-scale from the instrument without one single bellow-change, or to play the same scale "up and down the row", which quickly sounds weary and choppy. You can mix both options and use them to give rhythm and dynamic to the tune, ...and it needs good practice and experience.

[@ubizmo]

@@Andreasito Not long after posting that comment, I took the plunge and bought a beginner's Anglo. I was very uncertain whether this or the English would be the best fit for me, and I still am, but this is what I have. In the month or so that I've owned it, I've gotten to the point where I can play most things that I played on the whistle--thought not nearly at the same speed--and many other kinds of melodies too, in keys that don't work on the whistle. I'm still a bit vague on the "fringe" buttons: those bass buttons and the ones that are so high that only dogs can hear them. Although Irish dance music was my entry point, once I started playing the thing, I quickly got interested in seeing what else it can do. I see people playing all kinds of harmony, and even counterpoint on the Anglo, and I'm beyond impressed. It's just crazy what people can do with it. My concertina is quite stiff. It didn't bother me at first, because I was so slow and halting anyway, but now that I'd like to pick up the tempo a bit, on at least some tunes, I feel like I'm fighting with it, so I think I'll need to upgrade fairly soon.

[@Andreasito]

I follow you, man... The feeling like to "fight the instrument". That brings stress and strain into the tune and kills it, resp. makes people want to run away. - My first touch on a concertina was in October 2020...some cheap chinese model. I upgraded to a Suttner in September last year. For three years i keep practicing now at least 5 days a week. sometimes until i got tears in my eyes from fighting all those resistances in me and also, back then, in that bad beginner gadget. What can I say.? Make recordings of your playing, listen to good players and compare. I try to eliminate all unwanted fragments of silence (choppiness) and bring dynamic into the melody. I try to keep up a steady relaxed pulse. The reels need to sound in a nice swing and beat-offbeat (!) rhythm. The pulse and rhythm is done with the bellows. I try to keep a good posture keeping the bellowwork economical, it should look "decent" when somebody watches me playing. This is all not easy, to me it's not an easy instrument at all. It needs diligence, training and attention on many aspects, just like a violin. Before I take advice from someone, i ask him to play something for me first. That tells me if it's worth listening to his advice.

[@Whatzzzz999]

I too play the whistle. I definitely recommend persisting with the concertina, it's great for finger/hand co-ordination, also great brain-exercise.(!) And such fun too. Good luck to you...

[@MountainRaven1960]

Do you have a concertina tab for that tune? I purchased the very same concertina, absolutely love it! It’s a work of art!

[@-jank-willson]

is this the ancestor to the accordion?

[@christopherlawley1842]

I don't believe soi

[@weezycom]

I've ordered one and it should be here in a few days. Completely new to it, but I wanted something easily portable to take along to jams to do more of a background accompaniment, so I'm interested in learning that to begin with. Do any of your lessons focus on that?😄 I'm also a novice HD player but that's not easily popped in an overnight bag or taken to a bonfire setting!

[@leonardovelazquez1029]

I'm looking at this concertina! How's it holding up? Did you pick jeffries or wheatstone layout?

[@MD-hk8xq]

Please do some more videos on the concertina!

[@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife]

I do have concertina lessons on my Ko-fi site which are free to my supporters. I am also teaching a concertina workshop, the beginning February for the Quarantune Dulcimer Festival

[@MD-hk8xq]

@@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLifethanks! I think if you did a few more concertina vids, it might bring more folks just starting to do lessons..

[@MD-hk8xq]

I for one would love to hear more about why its one of your favorite instruments

[@jeayae4941]

What brand is it ? And would you recommend it?

[@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife]

Its a Phoenix McNeela and 100% yes!

[@jerrymiller]

What’s a good concertina to start with?

[@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife]

I would get this: mcneelamusic.com/concertinas/new-improved-the-wren-anglo-concertina-2/