Hi,

I'm brand new to concertinas, though very keen! I have bought a second hand English Bastari, that is currently winging its way to me. It is a 30 button, rather than 48, so I am having trouble working out the fingerings using the normal chart for a 48. Can anyone help?

Pictures can be found here: http://img.inkfrog.com/click_enlarge1.php?...mp;aid=37178005

I'm sure this'll be the first of many questions!

Thanks!

Betty

Hello Betty, welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of concertina playing. I've never played a Bastari but Concertina Connection make two 30 button English concertinas so there's a chance that the layout may be the same. When your concertina arrives see if the layout looks anything like the Jack and Jackie.

Pete

Thanks Pete, that looks really helpful. I'll let you know when it arrives. I can't wait!

Betty

Hi all, I'm also brand new to the concertina and was wondering about the key layout.

I just bought a dirt cheap one before I decide to commit to this instrument, a 30 key EC. I was under the impression that the middle two rows were the "white" notes, but it seems as if the f and f# have switched places on the left side, as well as the B and Bb on the right side. Is this normal? I guess it won't be that much trouble switching over once I get a decent concertina, but I am a little bit afraid of developing bad habits early on. I did that on the guitar 20 years ago and it took me years to "fix" that...

EDIT:

It has the same key layout as this one it seems: http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/viewimage....611ACCORDA4.JPG

Hello FAC, welcome to the forum. The middle two rows of an EC are indeed the naturals and what you are describing doesn't sound right at all. Any chance you can send it back for a refund? If so get your money back and save a little so you can buy a Jackie, at least that will work and be much more reliable than the cheapest boxes on the market.

Pete.

I remeber another thread on this site about an Engilsh concertina with this note switch, I'll see if I can find it....