Im abut to buy the rochelle concertina for my sister aged 7.The concertina is bigger than others and shes petite.I want to know if the buttons are far away from the straps.The fasrthest row for examlpe,
Yes, the Rochelle is a big concertina. Sean Garvey of "All About Accordians" says that a lot of teachers were saying that it was a big change for youngsters to make from it to a "normal"sized concertina.It is cheap and gets them started but there is the size issue.
dinn2, here's what Wim Wakker--the designer and importer of the Rochelle--has to say: "Our Rochelle has been developed especially for beginning players on the anglo concertina. Although the instruments are perfectly capable of meeting the requirements of intermediate players, we understand that many players might want to upgrade to a vintage or new instrument later on.With this in mind, we made all the important features, such as key board lay out, spacing of the keys, key diameter, key travel (the height of the keys), number of bellows folds, etc. identical to traditional anglo concertinas, to assure a smooth transition to a higher class concertina later on." See http://www.concertinaconnection.com/rochelle%20anglo.htm.
This doesn't specifically address the distance between the handrest and the buttons, but I think it's implied that this distance is standard.
You could contact Wim (see info on his web site) or post this question on concertina.net, where there are several members with first-hand experience of the Rochelle.
I test-drove one for a month and had no problems swapping from a "proper" one to the Rochelle as regards they buttons and spacing. It is more "chunky" regarding bellows-control etc thats all.
Can't go wrong at the price.
I am sure if Wim made a G/D, everyone would want one as a second box (just out of idleness, not because I cant play in F,D,A etc.).
I started on a Rochelle. Did the job for 3 months and then i bought a Connor and gave the Rochelle away. The Rochelle was ok in that it allowed me to have a go at an Anglo without breaking the bank, but with my hindsight i would suggest to go for a better concertina from the start. Even if you find you don't like it they don't exactly devalue very much. But i would say that you're far more likely to enjoy playing the anglo having a decent one over a Rochelle. The Rochelle requires a hell of a lot of physical effort (bellows are well hard) compared to my Connor, and i think a 7 year old girl will really struggle with a Rochelle and this in turn may put her off playing an instrument that she may otherwise really love.
Rochelle Concertina Questions.....
Rochelle Concertina Questions.....
Im abut to buy the rochelle concertina for my sister aged 7.The concertina is bigger than others and shes petite.I want to know if the buttons are far away from the straps.The fasrthest row for examlpe,
# Posted on July 28th 2008 by dinn2
Re: Rochelle Concertina Questions.....
That should be how far away from the straps in relation to other concertinas.Thanks......sorry for spelling
# Posted on July 28th 2008 by dinn2
Re: Rochelle Concertina Questions.....
Yes, the Rochelle is a big concertina. Sean Garvey of "All About Accordians" says that a lot of teachers were saying that it was a big change for youngsters to make from it to a "normal"sized concertina.It is cheap and gets them started but there is the size issue.
# Posted on July 28th 2008 by concertinaplayer
Re: Rochelle Concertina Questions.....
dinn2, here's what Wim Wakker--the designer and importer of the Rochelle--has to say: "Our Rochelle has been developed especially for beginning players on the anglo concertina. Although the instruments are perfectly capable of meeting the requirements of intermediate players, we understand that many players might want to upgrade to a vintage or new instrument later on.With this in mind, we made all the important features, such as key board lay out, spacing of the keys, key diameter, key travel (the height of the keys), number of bellows folds, etc. identical to traditional anglo concertinas, to assure a smooth transition to a higher class concertina later on." See http://www.concertinaconnection.com/rochelle%20anglo.htm.
This doesn't specifically address the distance between the handrest and the buttons, but I think it's implied that this distance is standard.
You could contact Wim (see info on his web site) or post this question on concertina.net, where there are several members with first-hand experience of the Rochelle.
# Posted on July 29th 2008 by csharpd
Re: Rochelle Concertina Questions.....
Thanks.
# Posted on July 29th 2008 by dinn2
Re: Rochelle Concertina Questions.....
I test-drove one for a month and had no problems swapping from a "proper" one to the Rochelle as regards they buttons and spacing. It is more "chunky" regarding bellows-control etc thats all.
Can't go wrong at the price.
I am sure if Wim made a G/D, everyone would want one as a second box (just out of idleness, not because I cant play in F,D,A etc.).
# Posted on July 29th 2008 by geoffwright
Re: Rochelle Concertina Questions.....
I started on a Rochelle. Did the job for 3 months and then i bought a Connor and gave the Rochelle away. The Rochelle was ok in that it allowed me to have a go at an Anglo without breaking the bank, but with my hindsight i would suggest to go for a better concertina from the start. Even if you find you don't like it they don't exactly devalue very much. But i would say that you're far more likely to enjoy playing the anglo having a decent one over a Rochelle. The Rochelle requires a hell of a lot of physical effort (bellows are well hard) compared to my Connor, and i think a 7 year old girl will really struggle with a Rochelle and this in turn may put her off playing an instrument that she may otherwise really love.
Just my 2 pence.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by free-feet