The Woman's Accordion

Subject: The Woman's Accordian
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 29 Feb 08 - 05:10 AM

Woman's Hour on BBC R4 is about to transmit an item on this "Irish folk instrument" which has long had a tradition of being a woman's instrument in Irish music and was known in Gaelic as "the woman's accordian" (it says here).

It is going to feature three players but doesn't state who.

Subject: RE: The Woman's Accordian
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 29 Feb 08 - 05:12 AM

Bugger, can someone combine these duplicate threads? (If they think there's any point . . . )

Subject: RE: The Woman's Accordian
From: pavane
Date: 29 Feb 08 - 05:25 AM

I remember, I think on My Music (BBC), many years ago, when the panel were asked to provide a mnemonic for FACE, the gaps in the staff, similar to the well known Every Good Boy Deserves Favour (or Fish) for the notes on the staff, EGBDF

One suggestion was Female Accordionist's Chests Expand...

Subject: RE: The Woman's Accordian
From: folk_radio_uk
Date: 29 Feb 08 - 05:33 AM

Thanks for posting this, the first player was Niamh Ni Charra who's debut album was realesed earlier this year....a great talent

http://www.folkradio.co.uk/content/view/289/94/

I had no idea women were responsible for the introduction of the concertina into the home in Ireland...and in Irish Gaelic means "womens accordion"...great stuff

Subject: RE: The Woman's Accordian
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 29 Feb 08 - 05:44 AM

No, it's Every Good Boy Deserves . . . (music teacher's version) Erotic Gum Boots Delight Fetishists

Order of #s:Fat Cats Get Dizzy After Eating Beans

Bass Clef spaces: ACEG: Auntie Clara Entertains Gentlemen.

Subject: RE: The Woman's Accordian
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 29 Feb 08 - 01:26 PM

All Cows Eat Grass.
Grizzly Bears Don't F*** Around.
Is the concertina the woman's accordian because it's not a tit pincher?
I'll get my toque, eh.

Subject: RE: The Woman's Accordian
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 01 Mar 08 - 03:07 AM

Hmm, is there a mnemonic for the order of flats, or the order of the ascending keys or descending keys?

Subject: RE: The Woman's Accordian
From: Bernard
Date: 01 Mar 08 - 08:27 AM

Flats spell BEAD... any more flats than that and you wouldn't still be dependant upon mnemonics!

Subject: RE: The Woman's Accordian
From: michaelr
Date: 01 Mar 08 - 12:46 PM

What is the Gaelic for "woman's accordion"?

Subject: RE: The Woman's Accordian
From: The Mole Catcher's Apprentice (inactive)
Date: 01 Mar 08 - 01:10 PM

this thread should be combined with this one

Charlotte (bringing families together)

Subject: RE: The Woman's Accordian
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 04:55 AM

As this thread has turned into one about mnemonics and the other into duet concertinas, maybe they shouldn't be combined but someone should start yet another which is actually about women anglo players in Ireland?

Subject: RE: The Woman's Accordian
From: Jane of 'ull
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 05:13 AM

I read recently that the 5 string banjo used to be played predominantly by women. Now its uaualy associated with men and breakneck-speed bluegrass style. I do find it much easier to play than guitar. I play gentler, old time mountain style (frailing). The banjo makes sense for women's hands - narrower neck, low action, and thinner strings that are much easier on the fingers.

I'd like to see a thread about how most instuments seem to be designed for the average male hand? tell me if im being paranoid/feministic but it seems so to me...

Subject: RE: The Woman's Accordian
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 08:03 AM

You are right (IMHO) most instruments seem designed for the male hand and the female intelect.

Subject: RE: The Woman's Accordian
From: Bernard
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 01:42 PM

Is it likely that any instrument was initially designed to suit the person who invented/developed it, or to suit the person for whom it was first intended?

I can't even begin to comprehend how the firt church organs must have sounded, because they had very wide keys intended to be 'played' by striking them with a clecnched fist... and the 'performer' was referred to as the 'Pulsator Organum'... fairly self explanatory! A far cry from the modern day instrument which has many female exponents.

Subject: RE: The Woman's Accordian
From: The Sandman
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 04:31 PM

Diane, it is about women players of the concertina in Ireland,there was/still is an all Ireland champion Madeline O Dowd;she plays the English Concertina.

Subject: RE: The Woman's Accordian
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's unplugged Apprentice
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 04:40 PM

Diane, it is about women players "

funny...the only woman's name I saw mentioned, prior to Madeline O Dowd, was that of Niamh Ni Charra.

"As this thread has turned into one about mnemonics"

exactly.

Charlotte (the Sunday view from Ma and Pa's piano stool)

Subject: RE: The Woman's Accordian
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 05:07 PM

Well, jolly good for Madeleine o Dowd for playing a sane instrument but the three women featured in the item were Maryellen Curtin, Jacqueline McCarthy and Niamh ni Charra, all of whom are anglo players.

Subject: RE: The Woman's Accordian
From: The Sandman
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 06:44 PM

correct Diane.
if I may quote from Goran Rahm.
Using a strap over one shoulder or better still suspenders over both shoulders is more recommendable.
As Mr Punch, said thats the way to do it.

Subject: RE: The Woman's Accordian
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 09:25 PM

AaaaaaH, you've got to feel sorry for these poor men who find an English to heavy and need something to ease their aching thumbs and little fingers.

Subject: RE: The Woman's Accordian
From: Grab
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 08:12 AM

Reminds me of this:-

http://www.sniffpetrol.com/2008/02/27/typo-cars-no-1

Graham.