maccannic

If you can touch type, then you must be used to the random arrangement of the letters of the alphabet. So the random arrangement of the notes should rapidly become intuitive (it did in my case).

Not having had a 'career' as such, there haven't been many highlights. But from a purely vanity point of view it has to be receiving compliments on your playing from somebody whose opinion you value. On different occasions, these have included Alastair Anderson, Colin Dipper and Rod Stradling. One obvious lowlight was submitting some recordings for possible inclusion in 'Duet International' to be told, very politely, that they weren't good enough (no hard feelings, Alan; I wasn't under any illusions in that regard). But even then, I put a couple of the same sound files up on this site when I was trying to sell a concertina and got some favourable comments, so all's well that ends well.

The answer's 'yes'. Yes, you could play one chord and hold it. Yes, you could play one chord and let go. Yes, you could play a chord every time there's a beat, or every time there's a note, or on some beats or notes but not others. The important thing is to listen to what yoy play, and play what sounds best to you. If someone suggests something different, try that too. The main difficulty you will find with the English is that both hands are involved with playing the tune, so it's not always easy to play exactly what chord you want, although that comes with practice too.

I am in awe of anybody who can play to a decent standard on different types of concertina (Keith Kendrick is a good example). As for me, I play 80-bass piano accordian and Maccann duet concertina, and even on those two rather different boxes I occasionally get confused, playing completely the wrong note or chord or trying to play something which isn't there.

But some of the tracks were included on CD on 'Anglo International'.

I'm guessing the seller is c-netter 'Sprunghub', who comes from that part of the world, and is an honourable person to deal with.

Maybe turn the whole thing over? So the buttons are hanging down rather than (not) standing up?

I must be doing something wrong. They 'play', but all I get is silence. Edited to add: Ignore that. My computer had gone into mute mode, don't know why. And great music by the way!

Loved it! I was particularly struck by the mellow tone, almost clarinet-like.

Hopefully Kettle Bridge Concertinas are still going strong.

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Brilliant. That's what I call multi-tasking!

Then of course there is my avatar (though I'm not the first to have put that picture up on this site).

I'm no scientist, but I find myself wondering about the longevity of a carbon fibre reed. I'm remembering the problems Rolls Royce had with carbon fibre aero engine blades, which basically vibrated themselves to bits.

Forgive me if I'm talking rubbish here, but the problem could also be a wonky or delaminating pad, right?