Englitina - English Concertina for Android

WOW. An Android App for the instrument that I play, The English Concertina!!! This wonderful App fits a major section of the standard English concertina keyboard onto the screen of an Android, in landscape mode, and once the player figures out how the keys are arranged and how the Android should be held, tunes can be learned and played with a bit of effort. There are no real buttons that can be pushed. There is no bellows to move back and forth, but those two concertina mainstays can be quickly dismissed once you get the hang of what is necessary to play it. It's a concertina. It's a completely new instrument. Either way of thinking is correct. I also find the use of the usual three fingers on each hand a bit difficult depending on where on the keyboard one is playing. I can already envision using only two fingers where three would be the norm on an actual instrument. But this drawback, if it is one, is overcome fairly quickly as you play. More than anything is the amazement I have that I can have a mini version, of sorts of my instrument. in my pocket with me at all times and at the same time I see it as a completely new instrument to try to master. I love it. I also love the fact that you can choose to play it as a baritone, an octave lower than the standard instrument, as a lot of my playing is done on an actual baritone English concertina. And, for beginner's, this can be an instrument unto itself whether you have interest in playing the English concertina or not. I can envision a new generation of performers that claim their main instrument as the Englitina. A lot of thought went into the design of the Englitina, Maybe most importantly the spacial relationships between the buttons, which pretty much mimics a standard concertina. Without this consideration, playing the Englitina would be very difficult, if not impossible. Also the sound is wonderful and quite authentic. In the end, developer Michael Eskin, has done a great job in putting this instrument in our hands. He has given a lot of thought to it and is always interested in making improvements. I also have one of his other Apps, "Ullitina" which is the same App pretty much as Englitina, but mimics the sound of a set of Uilleann Pipeswith and without chanters. So, a player of the Englitina can use the English concertina fingerings and have the result come out sounding like pipes. And, they sound very authentic. An amazing App indeed. Thanks Michael for all of your work on these!!!!!!!! Charles Wheattstone would be very proud of you!!!

If you've ever wondered whether or not you'd be interested in learning to play a concertina, this is the app for you. Back in the 19th century, concertinas were affordable instruments, but nowadays, you have to fork over anywhere between US$1,800 and several thousand dollars to buy a decent English Concertina (either used or new). Some people start out with a cheap Chinese concertina (~US$125) or a clunky Italian Stagi (~US$1k), but this way, for the profoundly affordable price of $2.99, you can find out if this instrument might be for you. The application is very simple. Choose whether you want a treble or bass English concertina; choose metal or ivory keys (or press "i" to see the name of each note on the keys); set your volume and/or release speed; and you're "good to go." It's too bad that this application doesn't allow you to record your playing (that's why I docked it one star), but otherwise, it gives you a pretty good test run. In case you're wondering what an "English" concertina is, as opposed to an "Anglo" or "Irish" concertina. The English concertina is a chromatic instrument that has the same note played on both the pull and push of the bellows; whereas the Anglo is a dichromatic instrument that plays in only a couple of keys (e.g. C/G), and the "push" and "pull" notes are different. Also, an Anglo concertina has the low notes on one side and the higher notes on the other, whereas the English concertina alternates sides. This sounds quite peculiar, but for me, it feels very natural to play. Anyway, if you've ever thought about exploring the wonderful world of conertinas, Michael Eskin's applications provide a nice, cheap way to do so. Enjoy!

I've played English concertina for many years. I downloaded this today and was 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 privacy (over headphones) if you wish.