So, I have a concertina now (20 button Hohner D40). I got this pretty much new, very cheap on Craigs List from a musician who just had too many instruments. Figured I would just get my feet wet before spending more money.

But, now that I have the thing I need to learn to play it. I am interested in Irish Traditional Music, but I would be content with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star right now

Is there a good beginning DVD or book that all of you would recommend for a complete beginner? I mean for a BEGINNER, so it covers proper way to hold the instrument, how to decide between push and pull... how to play a note multiple times in a row with "slurring", coupling left and right hand in songs, etc.

Anything that you can recommend to get a beginner started would be great. Also, it would be nice if the instruction was general, or was at least adaptable to my Hohner and its fingering layout.

One book that I can recommend is Bertram Levy's "The Anglo Concertina Demystified". It comes with a CD and or cassettes with instruction. You can find copies of this and other concertina tutors on Ebay.com

Sorry to butt in j but while we're on the subject of Tutor Books, which one would folks here recommend for the English Concertina? I'm particularly interested in the chord options.

Ta
Dick

Concertina Connections brochure, that goes with Jackie.
Then any accordion or piano music, with left hand omitted.
Then some old Victorian compositions for EC, if you are up to the task by that time, and like that kind of stuff.

Do you know any Irish Traditional Music? Or any other forms of music. Do you play any other instruments. If so, the obvious thing to do is to take some of the tunes you know and try to knock them out on the concertina. If on the other hand you need to learn how to play music (keep time, get the rhythm etc.), a repetoire of tunes and a new instrument at the same time, expect to struggle for a while.
If you are interested in ITM, might be a good idea to learn tin whistle for a while - pick up a few tunes on that and then try them out on the concertina. That's the general learning progression in Ireland at any rate.

I do play other instruments (banjo, mandolin, Tin Whistle, etc.) and have a repertoire of songs for both ITM, American Folk, bluegrass, etc.

Currently, just trying to hammer out some tunes is exactly what I am doing, but I figured if there were DVDs and such to help me prevent from learning bad habits, or to make the progression quicker, they would be worth my investment to get them.

Well then you're away - I reckon that's the best way to learn a new instrument. Knowing what the tune should sound like is well more than half the battle. There is a CD ROM by Mad for Trad - Niall Vallely which is quite good and deals with ITM. A few lessons from a good teacher is probably best though.

Well, then does anyone know any good teachers in the Indianapolis area or Chicago area?