Englitina - English Concertina 4+

I've played English concertina for years, so when I got my iPod Touch, this was the first app I bought! And it's wonderful! I was a little frustrated at first until I got the "feel" of it and learned to hit the buttons accurately, but that happens amazingly fast. Same with relating to a 2-dimensional instrument instead of a three. Much of the time it seems like learning a new instrument, but sometimes I can close my eyes and pretend I'm playing my real one and the tune comes naturally. In two days, I am able to play a number of tunes, and I'm really enjoying the practice. The tone is wonderful, I think better than my Wheatstone. Stephen Foster tunes sound great, and jigs and reels are easy to play. I'm not listening to my iPod, I'm playing it!

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.

WOW. An iPhone 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 iPhone, in landscape mode, and once the player figures out how the keys are arranged and how the iPhone 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!!!