Concertina wrist straps

Subject: Concertina wrist straps
From: GUEST,Guran
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 02:47 PM

Initiated by one players thumb problems the English concertina wrist straps have been focus of some discussion again: http://www.concertina.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=19016

It is amusing (?) to notice that inspite of 20+ years trying to spread some information about the related matter(s) in various fora misunderstandings seem to flourish like before. One might expect that I had become wiser in the meanwhile and merely would shut up but that would be giving up - and that'll be the day when I die....

So...traditional English Concertina wrist straps work so poorly that they should hardly be used at all since it is so easy to get things "right" and thus achieve *very much* improved conditions instead of halfmeasures.

The basic points are these:

1. The EC ( but Anglos and Duets also..) has got some inborn conflicts in construction/handling which in principle are *unsolvable*: For "fingering" = choosing the notes of the keyboard, you want as much flexibility as possible,at best a "flying hand" - while for "bellowsing" = pumping air and articulating the notes, you want as much stability as possible (between hand and instrument)

2. You can NEVER get both at the same time, consequently you have to choose, for every occasional situation, for every piece of music, for every particular instrument, for every individual, and for every particular way of performance WHAT is most crucial: flexibility OR stability

3.The trad wrist strap may possibly offer some assistance on pull/draw and with the instrument hanging in a low position if set loose enough to admit acceptable flexibility for most performance. If set tight on the other hand - to achieve better stability - the hand gets so locked up that distant keyboard is not reachable and the wrist gets a hyperextended position which is unphysiological and limits fingering.

In consequence of this it is absolutely necessary to fill up the gap between strap/hand and instrument endplate so that reasonable stability is preserved both on push and pull. This is done by a wrist support. To maintain an acceptable flexibility the hand must be able to move within the "handle" - how much is depending on demand for flexibility by accidental circumstances.

The "finger rest" / "finger plate" has got no sensible function at all - unless used as the inventor intended, as a "rest" for BOTH 3rd AND 4th fingers - and otherwise better be dismissed.

Subject: RE: Concertina wrist straps
From: The Sandman
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 04:14 PM

"The "finger rest" / "finger plate" has got no sensible function at all - unless used as the inventor intended, as a "rest" for BOTH 3rd AND 4th fingers - and otherwise better be dismissed."
poppycock

Subject: RE: Concertina wrist straps
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 10:20 PM

When required...

The strap should only be replaced with stiched leather by an accomplished "shoe maker."

It is your wrist that be chaffed. TALK and Communicate.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

I prefer:
Pig Skin
Elk Skin
Goat Skin
or as a last resort Calf Skin.

Subject: RE: Concertina wrist straps
From: Guran
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 02:32 AM

Hi Dick,
I already had a bet with myself that you would be the first...
Thanks for adding a new term to my poor vocabulary...I had to look it up in the Oxford dictionary. Now, IF it is a proper abstract of the possible crap I have written it is so compressed that it makes little sense after all so you are much wwelcome to expand your criticism further in order to make it more understandable to me ( and maybe some other reader as well...)

Gargoyle,
Hello, Being an illiterate alien I'm afraid I have to ask you the same since I don't get what you mean...
"It is your wrist that be *chaffed* .."
Please translate/explain so I might understand !
" TALK and Communicate"
"TALK"... What do you suggest? Over the phone?
"Communicate" is what I am trying to by giving my opinion on the matter(s). I am fully prepared to continue...but tell me first what you actually refer to by:

"The strap should only be replaced with stiched leather by an accomplished "shoe maker."