Paul Draper

I think the reason I chose Am is that that's the key I can play it in on a DG melodeon so I'm more familiar. I've tried it in Dm and I think I could manage that as well. No harm in being able to play a tune in more than one key, eh? I already do this with some polkas. I'm also trying out Alex's suggestion for the air button. I bought some leather straps and have sliced up a whisky bottle stopper but I might change that if I can find the sheet cork I had. It seems to work but needs some adjustment. Thanks again to all of you.

Sean and John, Thank You. I've been shying away from playing on the G row because my left hand isn't so nimble after years of melodeon playing but the way you do it makes a lot of sense. Regards, Paul

That's pretty neat and I will be making one ASAP, thank you. I still have the problem of where in the tune I should use it.😗

I have a 30 button Lachenal Anglo and I've just started to learn the reel New Mown Meadows in Am (The New Mown Meadows (reel) on The Session). The A part seems to be ok but I'm having trouble with running out of air on the B part. I've only been playing for 18 months and haven't gotten the hang of the air button (short thunbs!) yet. The B part seems to have a lot on the pull and I can't identify a suitable place in the tune to use the air button. One solution to this would be to play the starting A note on the push on the accidental row. Is this the best solution? Has anyone got a better idea

Hi, I've just purchased a Lachenal anglo from Chris Algar so you probably have the details of this already. 30 bone keys, metal ends, 6 fold bellows, steel reeds, number 149617. I've had a look inside as the typed number was incomplete. The only date I've found is 23/4/15 but as this is placed next to a modern sticker for Vintage Strings and Accordions in Cheltenham I think this marks a restoration date. To my untrained eye the only modern parts are the wrist straps and the pallets(?). From what I read above this would date to c1897? Regards, Paul Draper

Apparently Custer's regiment was almost entirely made up of Ulstermen.

I've got 2 pieces of plastic with slots in that I can slide across the buttons so that when the two pieces overlap they hold the buttons in place. Then I can just drop the end over the buttons with perhaps a little poking with a knife or screwdriver and then slide out the plastic before screwing the end back in place. I made the plastic 'combs' by marking the position of the buttons and then cutting the slots along the rows.