I started this channel with the goals of documenting my progress on the concertina, as well as having a fun way for my friends and family to see what I'm up to. Making music turned out to be so much fun that I've branched out! I now am also learning the mandolin, the fiddle, the 5-string banjo, and both acoustic and electric guitar. Some instruments are coming along better than others, but I'm documenting it all here! It's a great feeling when you look back and see how much you've improved. It's impossible to tell from day to day, but when I look at videos from months ago it keeps me motivated to continue. Thanks for visiting!
@@PeptoJoe Will surely do! Also, I’ve enjoyed so much your videos…was so fun and relaxing to watch through them!😁❤️Please keep the concertina videos coming! 😁🏴☠️🙏🪗
Thanks so much! My "recording studio" has been converted to a nursery for my new grandbaby, but I'll see if I can figure something else out. @@gamevichannel
But how could you have expanded/contracted it when all the valves were closed? is there a default hole that acts like an intake/outlet when all the other valves are closed? also does the volume diminish the more buttons are pressed? (since the flow rate changes in function of the area) so do you have to expand/contract harder to maintain the same volume the more buttons you press? So many questions and from what you told us about the inventor I'm sure he had all of this figured out. He deserves more credit! Plz see if you can find the paper he wrote about this and leave it in the description, thx in advance!
You are very observant! Yes, there is one button that simply opens a valve without having a reed to make any notes. It only allows air to pass through so that the bellows can be expanded and contracted. I will see if I can locate those papers!
Oh, and as for the volume, I think it comes instinctually to the player to squeeze harder or softer to control the volume, so pushing more than one button wouldn't be noticable.
@@PeptoJoe thx for the answer, another question if you don't mind, how does the valves reset? is it a simple spring? and does it also have a latching mechanism? I don't know if you realized it yet, but the deceivingly simple design is only a testament to the genius of sir Charles Wheatstone.
@@PeptoJoe As an engineer myself, I find these old designs of a bygone era charming and "real". Every machine had bronze/brass ornaments, a carved leaf pattern, solid wood and polished metal! It bore the soul of the craftsman and had an aura to it! I have nothing against the plastic soulless gadgets we get nowadays (which by the very nature of modern economy aren't made to last!) but I hope these crafted machines that could remain in a family for generations could make a comeback!
@@Hanible Yes, they do have springs attached that push them back into place. There is no latching mechanism. It's just a spring attached to a lever with a round felt or leather pad on one end that covers up the opening that allows air transfer.
@@PeptoJoe ... thank God:) jst kidding!! i am thinking about trying the Wren myself, but it looks too complicated? so i enjoyed the vid' BTW...it would be nice if someone would post a beginner series showing their progress from week to week.. or even day to day? not a tutorial, or lesson, jst an idea of how much effort it takes to get up and running HaHa
@@amandasteven1400I do have a bunch more videos showing my progress. I haven't done any in a while, but I can tell you a few things. I take lessons online from irishconcertinalessons.com and they help tremendously. It doesn't take long at all to learn some tunes. It does take longer to master the instrument though, naturally. The Wren was a great starter, but the buttons were a little difficult to be comfortable on with my large hands. I much prefer the Phoenix. Either way, you can't go wrong and you'll have a great time! Good luck
Thanks for making this video and describing the differences between the different models. I ordered a Phoenix. I have to upgrade too. McNeela should pay you some credits for your review.
They're both great, but the buttons on the Wren are harder for me to reach with my big hands, and the overall quality is noticably better on the Phoenix. I'm sure you're going to love it!
Gracias por el vídeo 🎉 estoy tratando de hacer una por que aquí en Colombia un acordeón es muy caro por eso quiero hacerla me gustaría saber si tienes algún plano dibujado por si me puedes ayudar creo que lo más difícil es conseguir las voces ya me subscribi
Hah! I tried, but it's beyond me. Bitesize Irish has a video that teaches them. I love the song, but I think I'll just listen to this one, not sing along!
Hey Joe, I'm also a beginner mandolinist and what has helped exponentially in the last few weeks is playing with more arm and less wrist/thumb. Good luck!
You know, that has been mentioned to me before. There must be something to it! I just don't remember to do it while I'm playing. I'll concentrate harder, thanks for the tip!
I’m so glad I found your channel PeptoJoe! I too am thinking seriously of getting a McNeela concertina. I heard Steve Martin in Only Murders play one and I fell in love with the sound. But I am 54 and I was feeling a little apprehensive if I could learn it. Watching you is wonderful and encouraging! That you could play this well after less than a month is AMAZING!!!! I hope to do as well. Now I just have to decide on which one?! I was debating between the Wren and the Swan. I see that you upgraded to a Phoenix! How long before you decided to do that? Meaning how long did you play the Wren before you decided you wanted to upgrade?
I decided pretty quickly. Mainly because I have large hands and the inside row of buttons on the Wren were harder to reach . The Phoenix buttons are more firm and responsive as well. But it is a big price difference, and the Wren does play well. So, do your research! Depending on where you are geographically, you might want some quality instruments from a more local dealer, in case you need to deal with them later for any reason. That said, McNeela's has been great to deal with all the way from this side of the ocean!
No matter the age, games are for everyone and I love that your stream now, your setup looks 10x better then mine LMAO hope you decide to keep making youtube vids aswell
I’ve a question for the Q&A on your next video if you don’t already have something. As a relatively new concertina player, what tips could you give to someone who’s a complete novice?
@@PeptoJoe I did a quick Google image search and it is indeed the Griswold Inn, a historic restaurant built in 1776 in my home town. You should visit it if you are ever in New England!
Great unboxing! I'm trying to learn the Irish language and concertina, too, because both are part of my family history! I hope I can buy this one and start learning some sea shanties! Good luck and stay well! 😊💚
@@PeptoJoe yeh I've been playing on a ~€230 concertina and the inside buttons were very hard to press because they were very close to the strap and the springs on those buttons were stronger for some reason. Anyways I've asked my money back after multiple defects so I decided to buy a proper concertina this time :)
Wheatstone invented the English concertina which plays same note on the push and pull. Usually has 48 buttons . The Anglo concertina was invented at the same time in Germany I believe.
Not exactly. The 20 button German concertina was invented around the same time as the English. The Anglo-German concertina was invented later by an English maker, by taking the two rows of the German, adding a third row that makes it more chromatic, and building it with (higher quality) English construction methods. During the First World War, the English makers dropped ‘German’ from the name and just called it an Anglo. The one shown in the video is a modern ‘hybrid Anglo’ which combines English style action and bellows with German style accordion reeds.
Fun presentation, I like it ! I laugh so hard on your comment in another video about saying “song” instead of “tune” ha ha. I also plan to subscribe to her improver lesson… May I ask what is your concertina ? Thank you
