Mini concertina - Best key for a 13 button Anglo?

[avanutria]

This mini beastie is 105mm across and in the key of G, with thirteen buttons (plus air). The maker has been considering the possibility of offering additional keys and reckons he can accommodate any key from C (like the C row on a C/G) to G (like the G row on a C/G).



I mostly play Irish tunes, though I might want to play along with Martin's Morris tunes sometimes. I am thinking I'll probably get it in D and use the extra buttons to provide some F and C naturals. Any thoughts on a possible better arrangement?

Still not sure if I'll buy it or not...as the maker hasn't decided on a suitable price yet!

[seanc]

Looks very nice! Who is tghe builder? I have been drooling over the ones that Bob Tedrow makes..

If it were me, I would opt for a D with a c natural accidental..

[dpmccabe]

It says "A.C. Norman" on the straps.

[Liam]

For Irish music, The two best choices would be the key of C or the key of G. Personally i would lean toward the key of G with accidentals covering the C# and F natural (And the lower E). That would enable you to emulate the style of old style Irish Concertina Players like Chris Droney who spends most of his time on the G row. The C with F#, C# would also allow you to play many traditional tunes in a style that is not too far removed from the tradition of Irish Concertina Music.

--
Bill

[Dale]

Bob Tedrow makes a mini. I heard him play one in his shop once. Unbelievable sound for such a tiny beast.

http://hmi.homewood.net/mini/

[avanutria]

I think I'm leaning towards a C-row with accidentals to cover D - this would be a C#/F# button on the left, and on the right a C#/F# and possibly a D/C#. Thoughts are welcome.

I don't think I want a G row because I've already got a pseudo-mini German with a G row and it's a bit too high and squeaky for my tastes. This layout should enable me to play a good number of tunes.

[Mr.Nate]

How about a 2 row C#/D? What do I know...I'm just an accordion player.

I did get a chance to try Tedrow's new smaller size C/G concertina on tour!

Cute as a button and I loved the sound, workmanship...just had a hard time making a D scale out of a C/G. I know, I know, that's what people play Irish music on, but couldn't someone make it a little easier with a friendlier key?

Ok, Even a two row in B/C would be interesting!! I'm weird

I think it's called the Zephyr. 5 5/8" across 2.22 lbs

It was inspired by a Dipper of that size. I don't know why someone would want to go smaller than the Zephyr! Believe me...its cute at 5 5/8 with 3 rows..Wow!!

http://hmi.homewood.net/zephyr/

Nate

[avanutria]

I think it's called the Zephyr. 5 5/8" across 2.22 lbs

It was inspired by a Dipper of that size. I don't know why someone would want to go smaller than the Zephyr! Believe me...its cute at 5 5/8 with 3 rows..Wow!!

I've got a dipper 3 row anglo on order even smaller than that

[Mr.Nate]

Sweet...that guy is an amaizing craftsman!

What is Dipper's waiting list at these days?

Nate

[avanutria]

No idea. We haven't even gotten that far yet! But I've heard estimates from other people of 5 to 8 years. (not sure if those are accurate though!) I've been on it for about a year already, I think.

Edit - I just rang Dipper for my update, actually (he likes people to ring every few months as that makes sure they don't forget about it!) and asked about waiting lists. he said the "special" big Englishes and Duets and things currently run about 7 years. The regular Anglos usually run about 2.5 years but he's gotten a lot of orders in lately so it's looking to be about 3 years. And my one would be 3 to 4 years as a worst case scenario. I don't know if that counts the past year or not.

He says he is redesigning some of his plans from the last time he made one like this, and reckons he can fit 32 buttons on it!

[avanutria]

My mini concertina from A. C. Norman should be here tomorrow!!

[avanutria]

From left to right:

Edgley 30 button C/G from 2003
German 20 button G/D (more or less!), refurbished by A.C. Norman in 2006 or so
A.C. Norman 13-button mini in C with accidentals for G and D.

[Azalin]

Great stuff Beth! So how does it play? Are you happy with the purchase? Can you PM me the price you paid for it if it's not too personnal? I'm just curious, I'm not planning on buying one as I'll be forever struggling with a standard C/G

[avanutria]

Hi Az! I love it. I'm really really pleased. It's got a better reed response than the Edgley - with a bit more practice I will be able to manage a triple on the G using two fingers, a move I have seen on other concertinas but could never get to sound properly on the edgley. Also since it is smaller there is less mass to move, so it feels quicker. Some good choices of accidentals have given me quite a range too, though of course some fingerings will be tricky because notes aren't provided in two places (except for one). The small bellows mean I have to be aware of how much air/space I have remaining but after the leaks that the edgley has developed that is a nice change!

It's small enough to fit inside an insulated lunch pail and is really light.

I'll PM with more details about wait and price etc. (if anyone else wants these details just let me know.)

Edited to add: More pics!

[avanutria]

And here's a sound file, if the link works: Lad O'Beirne's.

http://www.4shared.com/file/91763969/48 ... dtune.html