Concertina straps?

Subject: Concertina straps?
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 06:46 AM

I've had a Wheatstone 48 key English concertina for a few years now and never played it with any seriousness. In fact it's been sitting on the bookshelf untouched for about ten years. I've decided that I ought to resurrect it and give it a go, to accompany songs, mainly playing chords. However, I've got Dupuytrens Contraction in both hands and my little fingers are almost bent double, making it damned hard to get them into the finger supports on either side. If I use my third fingers in the supports I'll only have two operational fingers on either side, which I know will give me some basic chords, but they would not sound as 'full' as they would if I played with three fingers . Now the question! I've seen something about neck straps/slings for concertinas and wonder if one of these would free all my fingers to use in playing. The 'tina is very old, made in 1857, and I'm told, worth up to £1000, so I dont want to be doing anything that would damage it or ruin it's appearance and value. Do these straps have to be screwed to the wooden ends? (Dont fancy doing that!) Any suggestions, opinions and advice would be most appreciated.

Regards

Andy

Subject: RE: Concertina straps?
From: treewind
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 07:03 AM

Hi Andy

The neck straps hold the weight of the contertina to take some of the strain off your little fingers, but you still need your fingers there to hold the ends steady.

They might be a good idea anyway. Steve Dickinson [e-mail] can fit proper threaded bushes with a small metal ring for the strap - very neat and won't detract from the value.

As for Dupuytrens Contraction - contact Alan Bell. He has the same problem and has had his concertina modified. I've seen it but can't remember the details. That's the same Alan Bell who's written lots of songs and runs Fylde Folk Festival - you'll find his email address on that site.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Concertina straps?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 08:25 AM

My (period) Duet came with wrist straps.

Subject: RE: Concertina straps?
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 08:34 AM

I saw an excellent idea at Warwick recently. One lady had sewn some webbing onto non slip backing with a plastic D ring attached. This was wound around each end of the concertina and fastened with velcro. She then had a neck strap which attached to the rings. No damage at all to concertina and a very attractice looking strap. Fully intend to try to make similar myself if I can find someone to sell me the plastic rings.

Subject: RE: Concertina straps?
From: Myrtle
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 09:09 AM

What a brilliant idea! I'm off to the local haberdashery dept in Boyes to get some D rings!
regards,
Myrtle

Subject: RE: Concertina straps?
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 10:07 AM

Thanks to all for the contributions so far, the webbing idea sounds O.K Mrs Duck, might look into that one! To take this a bit further, I believe one can play four (or three) note chords using both sides of the 'tina simultaneously. Is this true, and more to the point, is it more DIFFICULT, or LIMITING than say, being able to play three note chords on each side. If it would work reasonably well I could forget about the gammy little fingers and play using my ring fingers in the supports. I'm not wanting to play fast stuff,or become the next big thing on the folk scene, just to accompany a few slow to medium paced songs. Further advice appreciated.

Regards and thanks

Andy

Subject: RE: Concertina straps?
From: open mike
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 10:30 AM

i have had some success with these straps..
http://www.slider-straps.com/
they have made all the difference in the world
with the nyckelharpa//
the original strap put pressure on neck and shoulder
nerves causeing numbness and tingling...
now circulation is not compromised.
you might find these will help you hold the
instrument...connecting them will require
some modification..but likely you can find
a way. good luck

Subject: RE: Concertina straps?
From: treewind
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 11:12 AM

It is more limiting if you only use two fingers per side. The simplest chord is a triad (like G, B, D in ascending order) which you'd play as a block of three buttons on the same side. But there's always a way of moving one or more of those notes to a different octave, so every chord can be played in some form using no more than two keys on each side. You'll inevitably develop a unique style of accompaniment. Even one or two notes at a time can produce perfectly satisfying harmonies; in fact you'll avoid the tendency to swamp the song with over-thick chords.

I look forward to you becoming the Django Reinhardt of the English concertina :-)

Anahata

Subject: RE: Concertina straps?
From: GUEST,chris
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 11:53 AM

Hi
If you play resting one end of the concertina on one knee it is possible to play using just the thumbs to control the concertina
this should leave three fingers available on each hand.Whilst it may not be good technique it is possible to play three note chords with two fingers by holding two keys with one finger
good luck and keep squeezing
chris

Subject: RE: Concertina straps?
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 03:25 PM

That works fine until you try standing up, Chris.

Subject: RE: Concertina straps?
From: GUEST,chris
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 04:25 PM

given the problem, I would go for comfort over style!
and be able to keep playing.
chris

Subject: RE: Concertina straps?
From: Greg B
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 04:49 PM

I believe wrist straps are the ticket. One of my Wheatstones
had them (from the factory, nicely done) and as skeptical
as I was at first, I now love them. Another thing Dickenson
can do for you, with proper hardware to boot.

Subject: RE: Concertina straps?
From: Lady Hillary
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 10:41 PM

Don't even hesitate. Once you mate yourself to the instrument it will meet your needs for life. As long as you don't damage it, it's fine. As far as value, you won't be selling it anyway, so don't sweat it.

Subject: RE: Concertina straps?
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 07:25 AM

Thanks to all the posters offering help and advice, very decent of you all, and very helpful. I think I'll try Anahata's suggestion first, using just two fingers per side, and experiment to find some three and four note chords, playing both sides simultaneously. I knew about the 'triad' shapes on individual sides giving chords, but didn't know how easy, or PRACTICAL it would be to find complementary notes on the other side. I'm a bit of a music dyslexic you see, all the G majors, F sharps etc. just confuse me! However, its practice, practice and more practice 'till I crack it. I've got enough info (and encouragement), now so best wishes to all. Finally, its heartening to receive so many friendly replies from a posting, when all too often we find people kicking the sh*t out of each other on this site!

Regards

Andy

Subject: RE: Concertina straps?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 08:12 AM

"didn't know how easy, or PRACTICAL it would be to find complementary notes on the other side"

You need to get yourself a chart of the button layout - then just look at it to check where the notes you want on the other sides are.

I personally wouldn't recommend using the restricted two finger approach - it will cause to to waste time, when you find you have to 'unlearn' bad habits. Those who try the two finger method on a Stradella Bass on the Piano Accordion regret how restricted a style they have backed themselves into - and it takes ages to start off again 'properly'.