I use a variety of instruments, each to suit the song...

Well do I remember the days when I couldn't sing and play an instrument at the same time even if my life depended on it...! The best way to start is to learn the accompaniment to the point where it is 'on auto-pilot', and then you can start to sing to it.

These days I have progressed to the point where I can learn the words to a song, decide what instrument I'm going to use, and just launch into it without any 'practice'. In truth, of course, the 'practice' is years of experience.

Sometimes a song will tell you what instrument to use, sometimes it takes a little forethought and planning. Most of the songs I accompany on English concertina are the quiet, wistful ones, with the Anglo or Accordion for the rowdier ones.

I tend to use the six-string guitar for quieter songs, or those with an intricate accompaniment (and odd tunings), but the 12-string is used for the louder ones... but songs like 'Seth Davey' and 'Dirty Old Town' work better with the 12-string, even though they are quiet...

Then there's the banjo, mandolin, mountain dulcimer, melodeon...!!

When I turn up on a solo gig, people are looking around for the rest of the band!! Hah!