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In the smaller halls we frequent, over 16 couples is rare and usually will be divided. We have an eye for the bottom couple and start the 2nd tune when they begin as actives after waiting out. Everyone gets to dance both roles through the set. Trying to cram 3 tunes in can be disorienting. We find it better to introduce variety with small tweaks and/or switching the lead. I love playing dances with just piano and fiddle and my fab piano player can easily take the lead while keeping the rhythm going. I need a third instrument these days however, as I'm starting to cramp up towards the end. A second fiddler is ideal so I can play viola and ( soon I hope ) concertina! I remember playing for big dances in the long gone days at NEFFA, Old Songs and the Dance Flurry in Saratoga. It was exciting but a different beast altogether...😊

I like playing a single tune for a dance. Two is fun but three is fun mostly for the musicians and we begin to lose sight of our mission. You don't ask the caller " What three tunes would be good?" That's when they're liable to say "oh well, anything". If you have lots of dancers a good caller will divide them up into shorter sets. In big halls with long lines you need a bit more prep.

I agree with all above. You can take it a step further by composing tunes and dances together. It's one of the things that keeps me up at night. It's tempting to think all the moves have already been invented but something simple thrown into the mix can liven things up a bit. I'll be dancing tonight with a caller from out of town. I'm sure they'll bring something new....😀

Ya, I see a ghost image at the very top. Weird!

And that person, although in low relief, is playing a second concertina with the left end exposed and the right behind Allan.

Actual concertina face left to one's imagination....😊

I seem to recall a "strexagon" mini posted somewhere. Were the reeds radial or parallel in the large Basses with this feature?

You can, of course increase the usable space without increasing the "across the flats" measure by elongating two parallel sides as seen in some instruments in a lower register. My 6 1/4" Jeffries has 51 buttons including air. Stretching it by about an inch would allow 4 more spaces on each side handily extending both the lower range and the overlap. Has anyone tried this with a small hex box? I know the Harringtons are stretched in this way.

Morris dancing has been going strong here in NY since at least the '70's. If you want more clips and info, search Gilbertsville NY Morris dancing. There's also a thread here from last year with that title....😊

Lovely! I had a hard time hearing the concertina though.

At least they all look happy😊

Yes I do Wolf but use them up quickly. I usually browse a bunch of headlines then read only a few in depth. Also my computer skills are rudimentary especially linking articles and such. I'm a fan of Morris dancing and the music but have never played it myself. I was also pressed for time this morning and thought perhaps the Tardigrade enthusiasts might have a fondness for Morris as well.

In the NY Times this morning. I don't subscribe.

I 'll offer this because you seem an adventurous sort. I play the Jeffries duet which has a mere 5 notes ( for the 50b ) of overlap. There are 4 ways to play each of these. The only difficulties for me are (were) the lack of a RH F# and a LH B. I combined the LH G#/F# and RH F#/G# to give me a Push/Pull or Right/Left option for the F# and guess what? A vacant button on the left to which I moved the Bb to it's regular position in the layout and filled that opening with the B, also in it's regular position.....😜 I dare not speculate on the possibilities for a McCann but that G# appears to be longing for the Bb across the way!

That sounds reasonable. Maybe a little more pressure to create an embossment, with a small roller like a mini pizza wheel only not sharp.

Has anyone had success straightening valves in situ? Heat, weight, added moisture or a combination?

Unless you have a reasonable intention of playing or refurbishing it, I say let it go to someone who will. Indeed, unless it is in top condition you may not realize your vast imagined profit should you decide to flip it. I recently picked up a lovely Wheatstone EC in playable but rough condition and was told the cost to whip it into shape would be more than I could expect to get on resale. I've heard the phrase "uneconomically restorable" being used lately. Lots of beautiful instruments going for parts apparently.....😏

Wow! looks like a DDR arcade machine. Easier with 2 feet than 2,3 or even 4 fingers.

I'm now getting a full screen targeted ad ( e-bikes in my case ) when I go to the forums. Annoying but also an indication that this site is now selling my personal info. Not cool. Any way out?

The pattern looks too large for bellows papers. It's nice though.

For an applicator, cut a pointed piece of very thin plastic packaging material dip it in your glue of choice and work it edgewise into the crack.

At those temps, wax and or glue may remain stable unless stressed. Don't be tempted to play the instrument.

Chromatic down to low cello C, well balanced high and low. Duet based on the Jeffries ( Anglo ) fan shaped button arrangement for speed and ease of fingering. Centered on the key of D for ease of play in D,G, A and C with a G to C# overlap. Bi-sonoric G#/Bb and perhaps some low notes for space considerations. RH Air thumb key co-opted for Bass notes. Air moved to 2 highest note buttons for dual control. Reasonably sized ( 7.25" equivalent ). Make me one soon please 🤣

With a duet going bi-sonoric, especially with a couple of bass notes is an option. Another ( although tedious ) is to have spare reed/shoes. Swapping in a low Eb for instance, gives me all the notes for the Sarabande from Bach's cello suite #4 in Eb major.

Jeffries duet, yes. I think you can narrow things down a lot by googling the various button patterns and playing { "air-'tina" ) in your head and reading what others consider advantages of their systems. For instance, the fan shaped pattern of the Jeffries is very close to that of an Anglo making a switch perhaps easier.