Now available on the iTunes App Store
Just Released: "Baritina" - A Baritone C/G concertina one octave lower than standard
If you are looking for an English Concertina, please check out Englitina, now available on the iTunes App Store.
Now available on the iTunes App Store
Just Released: "Baritina" - A Baritone C/G concertina one octave lower than standard
If you are looking for an English Concertina, please check out Englitina, now available on the iTunes App Store.
Concertina is a series of very high quality Anglo Concertinas in multiple keys for the iPhone and iPod Touch (2nd Generation) that are now available on the iTunes App Store
Anglo concertinas are commonly used for playing traditional Irish dance tunes, and is a much-favored instrument in County Clare, Ireland.
The Anglo concertina is diatonic, meaning the instrument plays a different note for each button depending on whether you are pushing or pulling on the bellows.
In the app, to play, simply tip the iPhone/iPod Touch to the left for a bellows push note, or to the right for a bellows pull note, and press a button. The PUSH/PULL display on the bottom of the screen shows which direction the bellows is moving.
You may reverse the bellows while pushing a button simply by tipping in the opposite direction.
Multiple buttons (up to 5) may be pressed at the same time to play chords.
Learning mode (touch the '?' icon) shows the note names for each button when pushed or pulled.
On the C/G and Baritina C/G versions only, press touch the '?' icon a second time for "Dynamic Learning Mode"
This shows the notes for each button in realtime depending on push or pull.
Adjust the tilt sensitivity, right vs. left handed bellows pull select, and volume on the settings page.
Enable "Tilt Click" to play a quiet click as a learning aid when the bellows are reversed. Click volume may be adjusted on the settings page.
The button layout is based on a 17-key modified Jeffries style for playing traditional Irish dance tunes in the most common keys.
Uses extremely high-quality audio samples recorded from a high-end Anglo C/G concertina.
Up to 5 buttons may be pressed at the same time to make chords.
Four different keyed versions of the app are available, "Concertina" in C/G, "Concertina Bb/F", "Concertina A/E", and "Concertina G/D".
"Baritina", is a Baritone C/G instrument, with a lovely tone one octave lower than standard pitch.
Includes five beautiful background skins inspired by classic wood, metal, and black lacquer sided instruments.
Concertina App Overview:
"The Polka Challenge"
How to play "The Kesh Jig":
"Wood" skin (Janelle Shane):
"Maple" skin (Janelle Shane):
"Black" skin (Janelle Shane):
"Art" skin (Art Tawanghar):
"Lach" skin (Michael Eskin):
New features starting with version 1.1:
Multiple buttons (up to 5) may be pressed at the same time for chords:
Learning mode (touch the '?' icon) shows the notes for each button (Push/Pull)
Concertina and Baritina (C/G version) - C#/C# Layout:
Concertina and Baritina (C/G version) - C#/Bb Layout:
Concertina and Baritina (C/G version) - Bb/C# Layout:
Concertina and Baritina (C/G version only) - Dynamic Learning Mode (touch the '?' icon a second time)
Button note labels change depending on push or pull (tilt left or right)
This happens in realtime while you are playing:
Concertina Bb/F Layout:
Concertina A/E Layout:
Concertina G/D Layout:
Settings Page for Concertina and Baritina (C/G version with layout selection):
Settings Page for Concertina Bb/F, A/E, and G/D (no layout selection, fixed at Bb/C# equivalent on C/G):
How to place your fingers on the buttons:
How to hold the iPhone/iPod Touch:
Here's the best way to hold the iPhone/iPod Touch while playing:
Support the iPhone/iPod Touch between the top of the palm on the left and the thumb and little finger on the right. This allows the fingers to reach all the buttons. The iPhone/iPod Touch can face up or away from you.
On the left hand,the closest buttons are played with your left index finger, the next farthest with your middle finger, the next farthest with your ring finger and the farthest with your little finger. On the right, the closest buttons are played with your right index finger, the next farthest with your middle finger, and the farthest with your ring finger.
Using a soft rubber case on your iPhone/iPod Touch helps make it easier to hold and will allow you to relax rather than having to grip the device.
Suggestions for how best to play, particularly if you are having trouble:
The Anglo Concertina can be challenging to play even on a real instrument, and developing the same skills on a small device where there aren't any physical buttons to feel and press will take some time and lots of practice. Be patient and give yourself time to learn your way around the instrument.
First and foremost, the PUSH/PULL indicator is your friend, I find that if I don't pay attention to it, its easy to forget that I have to tilt the device to change the bellows. If you're struggling, try watching the PUSH/PULL indicator when you're playing.
By default, the app ships with the tilt sensitivity set moderately low, so if you find yourself wildly tilting your iPhone/iPod Touch chasing the bellows, try turning up the sensitivity by adjusting the slider to the right on the settings page (touch the 'i' icon).
I find it easiest to play seated so that I have a more stable reference for tilting. If you lean or move around while trying to play standing, it can make it more difficult to play.
FAQ:
Q: I'm not hearing any sounds on my iPhone! Help!
A: Make sure your ringer switch isn't in the "mute" position.
Q: Why are the buttons on the right side higher up on the screen than on the left and why are there only three button in each row on the right?
A: The speaker on the iPhone is in the lower right corner, originally when I designed the app the buttons were the same on boths sides, but I found that my hand would cover the speaker, so I moved them higher on the screen. I've included the buttons that I use 99% of the time to play all the trad tunes, and find that I do not miss having the highest buttons on the rows, not sure I've ever used them on my real instruments. I also needed some room for the icons and status displays and didn't want players to accidentally hit those buttons.
Q: Are the fingerings the same as a real Anglo Concertina?
A: Yes! To show a comparison between the app and a real concertina, here is an animated diagram showing the evolution from the fingering chart for a modified Jeffries 30-button C/G instrument (dual C# on the right side) and the fingering chart for the app C/G version:
App fingering chart, reoriented and compared to the app's user interface:
The fingering chart for the app, with the exception of the the push/pull G# on the right side top row (button 8a), is identical to the standard 30-key modified Jeffries layout, but missing some of the less commonly required keys to allow it to fit on the iPhone/iPod Touch screen. Even with this reduced layout, I am able to play the vast majority of traditional Irish dance tunes with no alteration to my standard scale fingerings.
Starting with version 1.2 of the C/G tuned version, I added a setting to allow the choice of several possible note combinations for the bottom button of the right hand accidental row. The choices now are C#/C#, Bb/C#, or C#/Bb, with C#/Bb being the default.
The Bb/F, A/E, and G/D versions all now use the Bb/C# equivalent button layout in their respective tunings.
Q: Where can I learn more about how to play the instrument?
A: Please visit the following sites for more information and online learning materials:
Concertina.net - Learning to Play the Anglo Concertina
Q: Now that I've learned the fingerings for some tunes on the iPhone/iPod Touch app, I'd like to buy a real concertina. Who do you recommend?
A: I personally own or have owned instruments from the following builders and highly recommend any of them:
Also The Button Box carries a wide range of new and vintage instruments.
Future Plans:
I am very interested in any suggestions for features or improvements to the apps for future updates, please drop me an email anytime with your ideas!
Other Apps by Michael Eskin:
Concertina - Anglo Concertinas in C/G, Bb/F, A/E, and G/D.
Englitina - High Quality Treble/Baritone English Concertinas
JustDrones - Three Uilleann pipes drones in the keys of Bb, B, C, C#, D, E, F, G, and A, with additional interval drone.
3QuarterSet - Three Uilleann pipes drones and two regulators in the keys of D, C#, C, B, and Bb, designed for live play
4QuarterSet - Full set of three Uilleann pipes drones and three regulators in the keys of D, C#, C, and B
Uillitina - Uilleann Pipes as an English Concertina
PipeKeys - Uilleann pipes 3/4 sets in D, C, and B as a standard piano keyboard
ButtonBox - 3 Reed Bank Irish Button Accordion using English concertina fingerings
BoxKeys - 3 Reed Bank Irish Piano Accordion
Haydentina - Hayden-style Duet Concertina
Canntina - MacCann-style Duet Concertina
A huge thank you to Janelle Shane and Art Tawanghar for generously developing truly inspiring artwork for the new background skins.
Additional thanks to the beta testers: David Boveri, Patrick Maun, Mike DeSmidt, Ben Jaber, Steve Pribyl, Patrick D'Arcy, and Fel Bautista.
For more information, please contact Michael Eskin or visit the Tradlessons.com website:
