newbie wrist pain on anglo

[usurpator]

hello, I’m 10 days into my anglo concertina journey and I totally love it (even if the use of the air button is still a cosmic mystery lol)

i put the left side of my anglo on my left knee and only move the right side.

I have no problem with my right wrist but if i play an hour my left wrist is painful. I noticed i have my hand in the “computer mouse holding” position (i mean my knuckles more left than my forearm which is the dangerous position for a wrist.

but if i want to hold my wrist with the knuckles in the same line as the forearm i have to move the concertina so the right hand is closer to me.

in short: at the moment i hold the concertina paralele to my big stomach, should i move it so the right hand is closer to me than the left so the left is not in that dangerous position?

any advice most welcome, i’m a newbie and i only have jack talty’s course for instructions.

ps: I LOVE THE CONCERTINA!!!!❤️❤️🪗🪗this is the beginning of a beautiful and long friendship i know it!

 

[Ken_Coles]

The pain is a warning sign; please consider modifying how you play. 27 years ago, when I went from a big italian anglo to a Lachenal, I was holding with my wrists bent back as you describe. I got carpal inflammation so severe I missed a whole year of playing while it healed. Not everyone is susceptible to this, but some of us are. My own experience is that what matters is keeping the wrists straight. There are many ways to do this; in my own case I use taller handbars or build them up with foam as shown here. Don't hesitate to experiment until you find an answer. And some rest may be needed to relieve the irritation.

[usurpator]

OOOh this is very useful!many thanks!i’m going to dothat!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Michael Eskin]

How tight are your straps? 
 

There should be a continuous smooth curve from your forearm to the fingers.

 

If you have to curl your finger up to play, the straps are too tight.

 

Also, you might also try putting a 8" square of leather on your left thigh where the concertina rests, that will help keep it anchored and you can relax you left arm much more.

[usurpator]

11 minutes ago, Michael Eskin said:

How tight are your straps? 
 

There should be a continuous smooth curve from your forearm to the fingers.

 

If you have to curl your finger up to play, the straps are too tight.

 

Also, you might also try putting a 8" square of leather on your left thigh where the concertina rests, that will help keep it anchored and you can relax you left arm much more.

ooh another superb advice! this community is fantastic! i’m learning so much!

I did fit the straps as shown by jack talty: so that there is a bit of space between the wood and the inside of the wrist when holding the instrument verticaly (as-if checking if the bellows will open of their own; I’m going to do my afternoon session (while the cat is in the garden or i get bitten lol) withthe strap looser. so many thanks for all your help!!!!

[usurpator]

I spent The afternoon observing my left hand -  when i “open” the bellows by pulling the right hand my left hand resists and its strap presses into the flesh (softly) but after a millisecond, my strap could be too loose. 

BUT when i close the bellows by moving my right hand in my left resists by…  not pushing against the hand bar  but for some reason by tilting out at the knuckles (getting into the dangerous position in doing so) and by pressing against the instrument itself between the outer limit of the wood and the hand bar - which is stupid but for some reason my hand wont do it any other way.

 

I took a kitchen sponge (new one) rolled it and put it under my wrist so that in fact it’s now like the bar goes to the outer edge of the instrument.

 

it’s so much better! is it something many players do? is it a bad idea?

 

do you guys want a photo?

as usual all help most welcomed and many many thanks!

 

[Ken_Coles]

Yes, I can picture what you are doing. Good self-analysis. I know of other adaptations similar to yours. Wrist support is an issue for some English Concertina players also and over the years some of them have designed and used adaptive supports. Do what works for you - staving off injury is the most important thing. I gather you aren't aged like some of us (I am now past 65), but once you get old lots of orthopedic things stop working and you have to modify what you do in multiple aspects of daily life to keep going.

 

Ken

[Michael Eskin]

So much of this could be solved in 5 minutes over Zoom. Would you be interested in doing something like that?

[usurpator]

yes of course - this is so wonderful of you! I am in france, if you are in ireland it should easy time zone wise.

but i only have a client account, i cant start calls.

ˋso many thanks, this leaves me speechless - such communities are so rare, meeting like minded people! the miracle! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

marie

[usurpator]

On 2/18/2026 at 10:48 PM, Michael Eskin said:

So much of this could be solved in 5 minutes over Zoom. Would you be interested in doing something like that?

i just realize you are in California! any time from 10am to 13 your time is fine for me, do-let me know how much you charge. many thanks again

[Michael Eskin]

20 minutes ago, usurpator said:

i just realize you are in California! any time from 10am to 13 your time is fine for me, do-let me know how much you charge. many thanks again

Hi! I'd be happy to help you out with this, no charge.  Are you available this morning (Saturday, Feb 21).  I'll send you a private message.

 

[usurpator]

I think I have found what I’m doing wrong!

my wrists did ache because i tried to keep the two sides of the anglo parallel while playing which forced my wrists to open outwards

i have been observing several players and it stuck me: they keep their wrists parallel not the two sides of the instrument! actually doing that they have the bellows more closed on the side away from them which seems (or am i dreaming) to give them a bit of reserve of air in the more open part of the bellows (closer to them)

do i make any sense?

i do that and i dont have pain anymore but i want to be sure i’m not making another mistake!

I have been playing for 2 weeks now, one hour every day at least and i’m in love with the instrument.  I played two hours today and i only now noticed that my deltoids and biceps get quite a healthy workout! yes i play the concertina for health reason!🤣🙀

and many thanks to Michael for his advice of using a piece of leather on my knee to stop the left side of the anglo from sliding, making me fight against it more!

i love this community and this instrument! 🎉🎊💖

 

Edited February 25 by usurpator

[gcoover]

39 minutes ago, usurpator said:

my deltoids and biceps get quite a healthy workout!

 

That's a little concerning. Pushing too hard? Instrument not responsive? You should only need a comfortable, light touch to play. Don't try to force the tune, use the bellows to breathe life into it. The concertina should be enjoyable to play, not a  struggle or a workout!

Gary

[usurpator]

Gary,

my anglo is a wren 2 deluxe, I “stretched” kindly the bellow folds as advised, but it still feel stiff - though i can't compare it with any other concertina since it’s the first in my hands. I feel that I have to push the air, especially on long pull phrases.

a few days ago I got the feeling it was becoming a bit easier as if the air hole had opened up (silly idea) or as if the bellows became more supple. the wren is an instrument for beginners and i wonder if the bellows could get softer (considering the instruments dont get tested like those of high quality do)

my general feeling is that i wish i could take a wood carving knife and open the air hole more.

please let me know what you think: did i get a faulty instrument? or is it just that I’m new at this and the wren is a cheap instrument anyway?

any advice as usual most most welcomed! 🙏🙏🙏

 

[Ken_Coles]

1 hour ago, usurpator said:

I think I have found what I’m doing wrong!

my wrists did ache because i tried to keep the two sides of the anglo parallel while playing which forced my wrists to open outwards

i have been observing several players and it stuck me: they keep their wrists parallel not the two sides of the instrument! actually doing that they have the bellows more closed on the side away from them which seems (or am i dreaming) to give them a bit of reserve of air in the more open part of the bellows (closer to them)

do i make any sense?

i do that and i dont have pain anymore but i want to be sure i’m not making another mistake!

 

 

Yes, that is the idea. I believe the photos in my foam handles essay show that I play this way also.

 

The bellows on the inexpensive concertina models commonly are stiff and need work to loosen up. Or, sometimes the instrument itself is also unresponsive and takes extra force to move the air and sound the notes. If you ever meet a more experienced player, have them try your concertina - they'll be able to tell you.

 

Ken

[usurpator]

I will try and have someone play it, and I hope to meet a teacher one day, but i’m in the south of france and here it’s not a fashionable instrument lol

[SIMON GABRIELOW]

I do not think a concertina is particularly made for "biceps" workout, or it should not be that way at least.. (It is usually the Accordion is more fitting for needing more biceps effort in that respect).. so I think you need to relax more in your posture, and maybe you tense up when playing and should relax more, and get to know your instrument, and be aware there are many ways of playing instruments, and good advice, and what you find comfortable eventually is possibly what is best for your own progress.

[usurpator]

it’s only been two weeks, i’m still trying to physically get how to use the bellows and the air button between long phrases that go in one direction - I suspect jack talty selected the tunes he did to make us adapt to the difficulty, i probably tense too much like you say.

so much to learn! and such a wonderful instrument!