meg

all of your advice and experiences are wonderful to hear. its funny how one (me) can stress out about a decision such as this. the good news for me, though, is that i have found a woman in Flagstaff who plays anglo and is willing to show me the ropes. she may even lend me a box for a couple months to play on. this, i understand, is the only real way to find out what works for me. i'll keep you all posted... hopefully my next question will have to do with learning techniques, songs or fingering or something! heart of squeeze, meg

i know what you mean about the kit fever. fortunately or unfortunately, i am pretty isolated out here in the sonoran desert, and i don't have too many folks influencing my decision making process. if i listened more to advice anyway, i wouldn't even consider the Anglo. go figure. i thinkyou're right, a 20b would be enough to tell if i dig the system. squeeze on, meg

hey, that's great advice. i play the tin whistle, and just switch whistles for the key i want. works like a charm. and you're right, i do want to play, not be bogged down with too many scales. although, i have to admit, i enjoy my fingering exercises more than most i know. thanks, meg

[. That's why the Button Box rents concertinas. For less that the cheapest Chinese job on eBay you can successively rent an anglo, English and duet (the best Stagi models all in best condition) over the course of several months (or less if you realise which is the right box for you) - and THEN buy what you know you want. And if you buy it from us, half of your rental fees goes toward you new box. Not much of an economic commitment at all. why that's a fabulous idea. sign me up! i actually emailed you guys at the Button Box earlier today (after reading more about this on the forum) to see about renting. i wasn't sure if you would ship rental boxes or not. if i could actually play around with each kind of concertina for a couple months, then i would really have a better understanding. i can more easily talk myself (and my husband java script:emoticon('', 'smid_5') ) into stretching our budget for the right box, if i know that i am actually going to play it! thanks, meg

I've been reading the posts from last month about this same issue, as well as listening to the recorded tracks on this page. It has all been very helpful and I am going to get an Anglo after all, only way to find out. so here is the next question... I would like to get a 30b to have more versatility and key options, but as money is (unfortunately) an obstacle, should I go ahead and get a 20b to begin with? Or will I feel to limited? I know, I know, it is up to me and my purse strings, but how many of you find that a 20b is all that you might need? Thanks for all the helpful suggestions. Meg

I think that is exactly what I will do. I am sort of waiting around for Wim Wakker to bring forth his beginner model Anglo. I emailed him and he said that it is expected out in the next couple months. It does seem that it wouldn't be too difficult to resell a decent concertina if it doesn't work out. thanks for the idears, meg

Wow guys. Thanks so much for getting me started. I love hearing about everybody's experiences. To be more specific about the music I play - I play a lot of my own originals (tunes and folk songs with me singing) as well as I play with a group for contra dances and around town for various occasions. The piano accordion is wonderful for this, but sometimes it can get heavy - both literally and musically. I would like to try the concertina for its pep and its portability. I live in Prescott, AZ and there aren't many musical venues where one can go and listen to different concertina styles. Flagstaff and Tucson have a bit more, but I have three little kids, and we just don't get out that much. I will check out the ongoing discussions that Daniel pointed out (sorry I didn't find it first). Its quite an interesting topic and I guess until I get my hands on a box, I just wont know for sure. I think you all are right, I gotta go with my gut and try the Anglo out first. If it weren't such an economic commitment, I wouldn't be so concerned about starting on one box or the other. Keep on squeezing! Meg

Hey guys. I really dig this forum. I came across it just in time.It stopped me from bidding on a cheapy little box on ebay. I play the piano accordion now, mostly folk, irish and dance stuff. I love it, but am looking to expand into concertina territory. For some reason (i think because i always wanted to be an oldtime sailor) I have been really excited about learning the Anglo. Recently, i was given the advice that an English concertina would be much easier to learn (with a piano background) Has anyone found this to be true? How difficult is the Anglo to learn? Is the English just as fun? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks guys, Meg