GUEST,30 button:"Weight IS a factor for Morris players... the difference is huge in terms of pressure on the tendons of the hands and arms, muscular tiredness".

RE:For some reason a common playing position for Morris Anglo playing is with the instrument high (Kimber style?)Is this your way too? Have your tried consequently a real low position?

> "As you point out, a neck strap/cord can help, but i've tried it and find it constricting.

RE:The constriction from common neckstrap arrangements is understandable.Mostly being too thin and used in wrong position.They rather also be elastic to work properly with a concertina. Check:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSsBwO2PTVE

> "Also, many of us are wary about marring expensive vintage instruments with strap fasteners".

RE:This is not a motivated fear at all. No "fasteners" are necessary and I am against such violations myself.The simplest as safest way to attach neck- or shoulder straps is by an intermediate strap fixated to two of the endbolts each side. Se again the above Youtube clip.

> "The answer, in my humble opinion, is physical conditioning: exercises to strengthen the arms, smart stretching, etc. Then weight is much less of a factor".

RE:Physical training certainly is a major common health promotor and "work hygien" is as important for common resistance to suffering from overload hazards but generally speaking more seldom an efficient solution for specific problems when handling a certain "tool". Here adaptation/modification of the tool itself is the prime approach: Fitting the task to the man firstly ,not fitting the man to the task!

> "Weight is less of a factor for those who can play seated".

RE: Certainly so but I often prefer playing standing myself and as I said this definitely can be arranged to full satisfaction even with quite heavy concertinas. The common objections seem to be related to conservatism and fashion arguments mostly. If swinging the instrument around a lot the neck- shoulderstraps can be a bit awkward maybe but that you probably do just occasionally and by using clips to fixate the straps they can be quckly removed for that occasion...