Indeed, a lot of time since the las time I posted here.
I would like for somebody feeedback. I've been playing fiddle for several years and now i'm trying to learn concertina. I bought a Rochelle - with wich i'm very happy - but i feel that it's the moment to upgrade to a better instrument.
So, I ordered a concertina from Harold Herrington, not the 30 buttons, - too expensive for me - but the 24 keys he developed along with Frank Edgley.
The question is: although it seems is a good quality instrument, somebody played both systems - 30 and 24 buttons-? I'don't know if the fingering change will make a lot of diference and re-learning the tunes...
Thanks in advance. This is a real good site, i've learnrd a lot here!
My take on it is, if you want to play ITM properly, there will always be more than one way of playing a particular phrase, each way having different ornaments available.
The 24 buttons may limit your choice of different fingerings. Some tunes you learn on the 24 will be easier on the 30 key. but all tunes will still be playable, only with some ornaments having to be missed (or fingered differently).
It seems that this paticular arrangement of the keys was made for to make easier to play irish music - the F# under the litte finger in the left hand is a pain in the arse, a little less is the C# under the index of the right hand -, but i think i will miss things like the reversed G/A in the LH, 3rd row... as long as makes more sense to me play changing sides of the 'tina rather than a constan push/pull of the bellows.
Btw, I would't give up practising with the 30 key, but fancy ornamentation e.g. 'รก la Vallely' would have to wait for a while ;)
Jaqueline McCarthy plays a 24 key Wheatstone most of the time. I'm not sure of the notes she has on those extra buttons, but she must have at least one C#, and she makes great music with it!
Fernandito - what are the limitations of the Rochelle ? I am
curious to know your reasons for upgrading. I am considering
"joining the club" and learning concertina - but not with one of
those $5,000 jobs
"the 24 keys he developed along with Frank Edgely"
that's one way to put it
I am curious why you ordered a Herrington when for about the same money you could have ordered a Button Box (Morse) ceili
30 button with riveted instead of "forked" action ?
The "systems" are the same if the notes on the third you are in the same position.. though one siply has fewer
A friend has an Edgely made 24 button and likes it very much.
If you're sufficiently motivated to make music you can play lots of tunes - even tune in D - on a two row C/G. Wonderful music has been made on a single row melodeon.
Other factors come into play- such as your musical partners, how fast you play. how many keys to will play in, etc. I like playing my 44 key Jeffries Anglo though I never use all the keys and can't imagine taking the time to learn to use them.
I also like to play my 1934 Wheatstone Linota 2 row C/G.
Rochelles are a bit more "chunky" and a little larger than the usual C/G due to the reed/action/innards but apart from that are a mechanically robust action.
But for the price, they are a bargain for beginners and sound fine despite accordion reeds.
You can't go wrong.
Ther's nothing wrong with Rochelles - indeed, i said that i'm very happy with it,- but there're many some reasons, Imho:
- As geoffwright sais, is a little chunky. Don't know if it's me, or the 'tina, but sometimes I fell as if the bellows was a little stiff in the reversals. So i think that the Herrington could allow mw a little more speed.
- Would be great to have the F# and the C# both in the pull and in the push.
- Some of the reeds - specially the lowest ones - don't sound totally well for my taste.
- Size. Rochelles are huge!
- A louder instrument. I can't hear myself at the session with the Rochelle.
thanks Fernandito and geoff. Actually I don't mind if the
Rochelle isn't loud; some of them sound like rock bands.
Last year I heard Mary McNamara play live in a session here
and her playing was maybe as loud as a fiddle.
Yep, i think the Rochelle is a very fine instrument fot to play at home not bothering too much the neighbours, but not for a session with pipes and all the stuff... i suspect it has also some lack of responsiveness.
Nevertheless, you wouldn't be dissapointed if you get one. As somebody said, the best you can purchase for its price - avoid Honners like hell! -.
I found I could make myself heard in the band with a Rochelle, but had to play in octaves.
And the bellows being stiff - yes, you have to play it with the concertina ends parallel, else the bellows wiggle about too much.
Concertina Herrington
Concertina Herrington
Hi, everybody.
Indeed, a lot of time since the las time I posted here.
I would like for somebody feeedback. I've been playing fiddle for several years and now i'm trying to learn concertina. I bought a Rochelle - with wich i'm very happy - but i feel that it's the moment to upgrade to a better instrument.
So, I ordered a concertina from Harold Herrington, not the 30 buttons, - too expensive for me - but the 24 keys he developed along with Frank Edgley.
The question is: although it seems is a good quality instrument, somebody played both systems - 30 and 24 buttons-? I'don't know if the fingering change will make a lot of diference and re-learning the tunes...
Thanks in advance. This is a real good site, i've learnrd a lot here!
All the best,
Fer
# Posted on June 10th 2008 by Fernandito
Re: Concertina Herrington
My take on it is, if you want to play ITM properly, there will always be more than one way of playing a particular phrase, each way having different ornaments available.
The 24 buttons may limit your choice of different fingerings. Some tunes you learn on the 24 will be easier on the 30 key. but all tunes will still be playable, only with some ornaments having to be missed (or fingered differently).
Don't give up practising with the 30 key though.
# Posted on June 10th 2008 by geoffwright
Re: Concertina Herrington
Thanks.
It seems that this paticular arrangement of the keys was made for to make easier to play irish music - the F# under the litte finger in the left hand is a pain in the arse, a little less is the C# under the index of the right hand -, but i think i will miss things like the reversed G/A in the LH, 3rd row... as long as makes more sense to me play changing sides of the 'tina rather than a constan push/pull of the bellows.
Btw, I would't give up practising with the 30 key, but fancy ornamentation e.g. 'รก la Vallely' would have to wait for a while ;)
Regards
# Posted on June 10th 2008 by Fernandito
Re: Concertina Herrington
Sorry, a link:
http://www.concertina.info/tina.faq/images/finger5.htm
# Posted on June 10th 2008 by Fernandito
Re: Concertina Herrington
Jaqueline McCarthy plays a 24 key Wheatstone most of the time. I'm not sure of the notes she has on those extra buttons, but she must have at least one C#, and she makes great music with it!
# Posted on June 10th 2008 by Mike C
Re: Concertina Herrington
Fernandito - what are the limitations of the Rochelle ? I am
curious to know your reasons for upgrading. I am considering
"joining the club" and learning concertina - but not with one of
those $5,000 jobs
# Posted on June 11th 2008 by Hup
Re: Concertina Herrington
"the 24 keys he developed along with Frank Edgely"
that's one way to put it
I am curious why you ordered a Herrington when for about the same money you could have ordered a Button Box (Morse) ceili
30 button with riveted instead of "forked" action ?
The "systems" are the same if the notes on the third you are in the same position.. though one siply has fewer
A friend has an Edgely made 24 button and likes it very much.
# Posted on June 11th 2008 by bohemian
Re: Concertina Herrington
Sorry "row" and "simply"
# Posted on June 11th 2008 by bohemian
Any Concertina
If you're sufficiently motivated to make music you can play lots of tunes - even tune in D - on a two row C/G. Wonderful music has been made on a single row melodeon.
Other factors come into play- such as your musical partners, how fast you play. how many keys to will play in, etc. I like playing my 44 key Jeffries Anglo though I never use all the keys and can't imagine taking the time to learn to use them.
I also like to play my 1934 Wheatstone Linota 2 row C/G.
# Posted on June 11th 2008 by cocus
Re: Concertina Herrington
Rochelles are a bit more "chunky" and a little larger than the usual C/G due to the reed/action/innards but apart from that are a mechanically robust action.
But for the price, they are a bargain for beginners and sound fine despite accordion reeds.
You can't go wrong.
# Posted on June 11th 2008 by geoffwright
Re: Concertina Herrington
Ther's nothing wrong with Rochelles - indeed, i said that i'm very happy with it,- but there're many some reasons, Imho:
- As geoffwright sais, is a little chunky. Don't know if it's me, or the 'tina, but sometimes I fell as if the bellows was a little stiff in the reversals. So i think that the Herrington could allow mw a little more speed.
- Would be great to have the F# and the C# both in the pull and in the push.
- Some of the reeds - specially the lowest ones - don't sound totally well for my taste.
- Size. Rochelles are huge!
- A louder instrument. I can't hear myself at the session with the Rochelle.
Regards
# Posted on June 11th 2008 by Fernandito
Re: Concertina Herrington
Btw, de differrence between a Morse ceili 30b and a Herrtington 24b is about 450 Eur ( 700 $).
Obviously, not quite the same price...
# Posted on June 11th 2008 by Fernandito
Re: Concertina Herrington
Good luck on the Herrington.
# Posted on June 11th 2008 by bohemian
Re: Concertina Herrington
thanks Fernandito and geoff. Actually I don't mind if the
Rochelle isn't loud; some of them sound like rock bands.
Last year I heard Mary McNamara play live in a session here
and her playing was maybe as loud as a fiddle.
# Posted on June 12th 2008 by Hup
Re: Concertina Herrington
Yep, i think the Rochelle is a very fine instrument fot to play at home not bothering too much the neighbours, but not for a session with pipes and all the stuff... i suspect it has also some lack of responsiveness.
Nevertheless, you wouldn't be dissapointed if you get one. As somebody said, the best you can purchase for its price - avoid Honners like hell! -.
# Posted on June 12th 2008 by Fernandito
Re: Concertina Herrington
I found I could make myself heard in the band with a Rochelle, but had to play in octaves.
And the bellows being stiff - yes, you have to play it with the concertina ends parallel, else the bellows wiggle about too much.
# Posted on June 12th 2008 by geoffwright