Rick, I am interested in the mandolin positions, if you want to make a stab at describing them. I have a mandolin that was my grandfather's, and it has the rounded back (like a lute) and I have a terrible time trying to play it. It wants to slip out.........

I was told at song circle the other night that when I pick up my concertina, I give the impression that I am a bowler getting positioned for the throw. That's because I hold it up (about in front of my chest/neck) to let it slide down into my fingers, my thumbs endeing up in the straps and my pinkies ending up in their "cup". I never thought about it, but it must look funny.

Margarita