Englitina is now available on the iTunes App Store
"Binglitina" - Low Baritone English Concertina, plays from G2 to F#4, one octave below standard Treble range.
Binglitinta is also now available on the iTunes App Store
If you are looking for an Anglo Concertina, please check out Concertina, currently available on the iTunes App Store.
Interested in Uilleann pipes, but play the English Concertina? Please check out Uillitina, coming soon to the iTunes App Store.
Englitina is a very high quality, easy-to-play Treble/Baritone English Concertina for the iPhone and iPod Touch (2nd Generation) that is now available on the iTunes App Store
Also on the iTunes App Store is Binglitina, a lower pitched Baritone English Concertina that plays from G2 to F#4, one octave below standard Treble range.
The button layout exactly matches the center portion of a standard Wheatstone treble Engish Concertina layout, providing all chromatic notes in the two octave range between D4 and C#6.
To play, simply press the buttons.
You may choose between a treble and baritone (one octave lower) pitched instrument.
The buttons on the left side of the dividing line are on the left side of a real instrument, buttons on the right side of the dividing line are on the right side of a real instrument.
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.
Uses extremely high-quality audio samples recorded from a high-end concertina.
My good friend and expert English Concertina player John O'Hara demonstrates "Englitina"
For this demo, I loaned John an iPhone with the app for the weekend.
Multitrack Demo with Uillitina + Englitina + BoxKeys + 4QuarterSet
Englitina Main screen showing division line between left and right hands:
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:
Settings Page (touch the 'i' icon)
includes the volume control and range (Baritone or Treble) selector:
How to play "The Kesh Jig":
Portable speaker setup using Velcro to attach the iPhone/iPod Touch:
Reviews:
"As someone who used to play English concertina, I can testify that this is a fun app. It was easy to play tunes on it. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to understand how that system works and try it out before investing a lot of money."
"I've played English Concertina for many years. I downloaded this today and playing tunes on it right away. It's an excellent simulation. If you've thought about taking up English concertina, this app will give you a good idea of how it works for a tiny fraction of the usual cost. If you already play one, get this app so you can practice at odd moments, in privace (over headphones) if you wish."
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: Are the fingerings the same as a real English Concertina?
A: Yes! The button layout exactly matches the center portion of a standard Wheatstone treble Engish Concertina layout, providing all chromatic notes in the two octave range between D4 and C#6.
Q: How should I hold the iPhone/iPod Touch and what fingers do I use to play?
A: Hold the device horizontally, grip each end with your thumb and little finger. The buttons are played primarily with the index and middle fingers.
Scales alternate between the left and right sides of the instrument.
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:
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: The Button Box carries a wide range of new and vintage instruments.
Q: What's the purpose of the "Release" slider on the settings page?
A: The sound APIs I use for the apps don't have a way to do a clean sound stop without some possibility of popping. When playing through the speakers on the device, this generally isn't a problem actually contributes to the sound realism, but I found it to be distracting when playing through headphones. This control allows you to set a delay time at the end of the sound to avoid the pops.
If you are using headphones and want to reduce the clicks, I suggest trying setting it as high as possible, then slowly lower it until the pops stop. The value is saved when you quit the app. Setting it to the max value disable the anti-pop feature.
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
Thank you to the beta testers, Randall Cayford and David Boveri, and to everyone on the Concertina.net message boards who encouraged me to develop an English Concertina app after I initially released the Anglo version.
For more information, please contact Michael Eskin or visit the Tradlessons.com website:
