Gaffer/11 Aug 12 - 09:29 PM
Thanks for your constructive message!

G:".. it should be fairly easy to prototype a variety of button top diameters by using the mushroom shape ...

RE:Absolutely!I have done that when experimenting by just pressing wider caps onto the tops of the original buttons.Similarly, screwed on wider caps were used on some early concertinas.Simple access to the interior of the instrument then makes it necessary to make the ends in two pieces (a separate one keeping the buttons in place)and this was practised also with some early models.A very good idea in any case.

G:" A further advantage is that melodeon keys give an opportunity to repeat the same note rapidly by using 2 fingers alternately on the same button".

RE: Yes,jamming between fingers of the average built adult player no doubt obstructs fast single note playing with the English.I see only one advantage with the compact keyboard - the option pressing 2-4 buttons with the same finger for some chords, but that does not compensate for the general mess..

G:" I suspect that the English layout is a congenital ergonomic disaster because the thumb-loop and pinkie-plate really limit the options for spacing within the four rows"

RE:There is no sensible reason even with the traditional design having the thumb-loop so close to the buttons. I have relocated it 10-15mm laterally without noticing any disadvantage - it only feels more relaxed.
As I have said before I believe the trad arrangement (thumb strap and finger rest ) came up by copying the measures of the Symphonium and without much practical consideration at all except that IF playing with just 1st and 2nd fingers as C Wheatstone recommended the transversal spacing can not be much wider.

G:"I'm not sure that I agree with your weight theory though, I reckon that the inertia on an anglo bellows direction change does relate to the weight..."

RE:I'm afraid this is a common misunderstanding! There is NO inertia present whatsoever when working the bellows since you are constantly working to overcome a pressure! Because of that I use to say that the only importance of *weight* is for *carrying* the instrument - NOT for *playing* it! Exception : If you are shaking the instrument when bellowsing or turning it about as sometimes practised to create a Doppler effect then the *weight* IS of some importance of course