Paul/ 21 Jul 12 - 03:43 AM
*Weight* of concertinas has NO importance for playing effort itself
"I beg to differ. The weight of a concertina determines the playing position... I can't play my instrument standing up but need to rest it on one knee at all times... I'm sure other people have similar problems".

RE: Dear Paul you basically confirm what I said: *Weight* is a concern for *carrying* the instrument - not for *playing* it.Please do not pick nits in the terminology now - of course by "playing" you may mean everything you do meanwhile, even stamp your feet or spin your head or whatever, but the activities which are *necessary* for making music are 1)fingering the buttons and 2)pumping the bellows.
The weight/carrying problem - if there is one - can be managed by playing seated or using some suspension like neck strap or shoulder strap or hanging the instrument from the ceiling for that part :-)

One of my favourite instruments is a 64k 2800g baritonetreble. I use shoulderstrap(s) and a reformed handle and experience no weight problem of any kind.I have for example played it standing and intensively for 2+ hours without a break.