So, we were sitting in the pub and had this conversation about a mate of mine and a group of friends(at music college) who learned each others instruments up to grade III standard in four weeks for charity. They were sponsered to pass the exam having never touched the instrument a month before. "Not too hard...." I reckoned...and there the trouble began. Now I've been challenged to learn the concertina well enough to play a few sets on stage in five weeks time.

I've borrowed my dad's concertina (it's a macan duet, i'm told) and I've been having a go - after a day I've just about got the fingering sussed, but the bellows I'm finding really hard. I keep changing direction in the middle of phrases 'cause I'm having to concentrate really hard.

I WILL manage it without to much hassle but...has anyone any advice???