Long fingers and the Stagi duet button layout.

[Ed Nardell]

I read through the long discussions in 2007 on the peculiarities of the Stagi duet keyboard, but before mine arrived today after 5 months of waiting, I thought it was a matter of the "new" Stagi (post-Bastari) simply not following the Hayden specifications, but things one would get used to - the slightly different R/L button slants, and unequal button distances. I assumed it would be no big deal.  This post is probably premature since before today I have never held a concertina of any kind. OK, I'll give myself a long time to get to know the instrument, and for it to break in - but I am concerned that the Stagi may not work for my long-fingered hands. I had been learning some simple songs on the app for the iPAD and that has helped my familiarity with the keyboard.  However, when my hands are in the leather straps, tightly or loosely, I cannot curl my index finger down and to the left to easily reach the low C on the right side, nor the adjacent D and E with other fingers.  It is easier if I go higher up, but the buttons are simply too close to my hand - and it is worse on for CDE than for higher notes - notes that don't require as much downward curling of my fingers. On the left side the situation, of course, is reversed, and it is difficult to curl my pinky down to the lowest CEG chord. Is it the button layout, the odd tilt of the buttons, or is it my unusually long fingers - or both?  Of course, day 1 is too early to say anything.  I'll give this a few weeks of lots of practice and see how it feels.  In the meantime, I was so frustrated by the wait for the Stagi, and reading about its peculiarities,  that I considered cancelling the order, and I went ahead ordered a Concertina Connection Phoenix with only 42 buttons and a straight array. That is due to arrive in the next two weeks. If that fine instrument still presents fingering problems after a few more weeks of practice, I'll know it is my hands. However, my sense is that if the Stagi buttons were straight (like the Phoenix) and a little further from the hand rest, I'd be OK. 

 

I really want the Stagi to work for me. I was charmed by the Youtube of two Italian ladies who build Stagis, and like most people who have reviewed the Stagi duet instrument, I find it an attractive and nicely finished - a very pleasant sounding entrance level instrument for a reasonable price. I have a summer place and my thought was to leave the Stagi there so I need not haul the Phoenix around. But if the fingering problems with the Stagi can't be resolved, and the Phoenix is OK, I may have to sell the Stagi to someone with normal size hands!  I've not seen my issue mentioned here. 

[DaveRo]

Did you see my photos in this thread?

 

I don't think having big hands will be a problem with the Stagi. In fact I think it might be an advantage.

 

I've never played an iPad concertina but one obvious difference is the lack of wrist straps. You adjust those, and the position of your wrists inside them, to reach the nearer buttons.

 

The difference between the Stagi and the Peacock is not only the button layout. I didn't find it the most significant difference.

[David Barnert]

13 hours ago, Ed Nardell said:

I went ahead ordered a Concertina Connection Phoenix...

 

Sorry, but stop saying “Phoenix.” It’s a Peacock. This is now the 3rd thread where you’ve been corrected on this.

[Ed Nardell]

Ah, when you mentioned it before I though you were clarifying whether I was ordering a Phoenix or Peacock, and I responded Peacock - I am just now realizing that I was using Phoenix when I meant Peacock - thanks for the clarification.  

 

[Ed Nardell]

On 3/1/2025 at 3:48 AM, DaveRo said:

Did you see my photos in this thread?

 

I don't think having big hands will be a problem with the Stagi. In fact I think it might be an advantage.

 

I've never played an iPad concertina but one obvious difference is the lack of wrist straps. You adjust those, and the position of your wrists inside them, to reach the nearer buttons.

 

The difference between the Stagi and the Peacock is not only the button layout. I didn't find it the most significant difference.

Yes, David, I am finding that if I loosen the straps enough my hands can arch enough to reach the near buttons. I assumed that the straps would be tighter, but I cannot play that way.  Good progress after just 2 days. I can play some melodies haltingly, and am starting to work on the left hand as well. The iPAD app is great when the buttons on the concertina are still not ingrained, so one can practice the patterns looking at the button names, then go to the instrument and do it by feel.  An in-person teacher would likely help greatly, but I'll get it eventually. Thanks for your help. 

 

Ed