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Concertinas For Large Hands


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Hi. I’m new to the concertina, playing a cheap Chinese C/G Anglo for about a year now. I’m looking to upgrade, not only to get a box that actually sounds like a concertina and the keys don’t stick, but also to get that elusive C# key. Here’s my problem:

 

I’ve played Lachenal, Wheatstone, Morse, Stagi and Bastari 30-keys and I have found that the key layout on all of these are tighter (closer together) than my 20 key. The keys are also closer to the handles. I have big (long) fingers and these seem very uncomfortable for me to play.

 

I’m assuming (hopefully correctly) that adding a third row of keys (even if it’s just one key per side) moves the C and G rows closer to the handles. I’ve seen a few 22-key concertinas on Ebay and elsewhere on the internet which appear the have the same key spacing of a 20 key, with the extra keys added to the C row instead of creating a new row. I have not found one to try in person.

 

Can anyone provide me with details of the differences in spacing of these key layouts, or offer any suggestions for players with big hands. I’m playing Irish tunes and (hopefully not too ignorantly) feel that all I need is that damn C#, not a whole new row of keys I’ll rarely use.

 

And please, I know the obvious suggestion is to get a G/D, but let’s assume I don’t want to re-learn all the tunes I already know how to play on a C/G. :rolleyes:

 

Thanks,

Chris Murphy

Edited by Chris Murphy
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The extra row does not move the other rows nearer the handle, I'm afraid. They will be in the same position on a 30-key as on a 20-key.

 

If all you need is the C# then look out for 26-key jobbies. They're cheaper than 30s but only a little less versatile (though they are rarer). Also, if you have a 30 or 26 button, you will find as time goes on that you will use a lot of those extra buttons, especially the A/G button on the left hand, which is the reverse of the G/A. This is useful both for playing runs of notes in the same direction, and for a very nice sounding G chord on the pull.

 

Chris

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Thanks for the info Chris.

 

I've gotten used to playing with the straps pretty tight on my 20 key, which is larger than most 30 keys. When I try to play 30 keys with the straps tight I find to reach the G row my long fingers are curled so far back it's very uncomfortable. I can loosen the straps so that my hand arches away from the handle and I can play the G row more comfortably, but then I find myself grasping the strap (right hand) between my thumb and hand, which makes it hard to use the air button freely.

 

I suppose the solution is to just get used to the smaller instruments, but I was hoping there might be something larger out there.

 

Thanks again,

Chris Murphy

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