G'day Adrien, Allan C & harpmaker,

I guess that the essence of harpmaker's question is "What (tuning) system is your concertina ... presuming that you already have one ...?" Although, Adrien's question may have been :"Who, around Yorkshire, can help/teach/advise on playing Irish music?".

I can't help on that one - but, in general terms, the concertina you really want to have is a classic London-made 36+ key Anglo-chromatic type ... and they cost £1000s these days, since the Irish-music-enthusiasts have bought them all! It is possible to play Irish music on other types ... including the English system (tied with the concert flute as the fastest melody-playing intrument in existence) ... but the Irish won't talk to you!

There are some good modern-made Anglos using hybrid concertina/accordion manufacture from Italian factories like Stagi - and somewhat better ones from rather smaller makers trying to produce affordable instruments that don't require you to mortgage the family home.

Regards,

Bob Bolton (Australia)