I used the Mally books for a while (although I found the way the instructions were set out a bit clumsy) and was very glad to have the technique of cross-row playing explained to me at an early stage - I've seen too many players who can't manage it because the single-row style of playing has become so habitual that it's difficult to unlearn later. I liked being able to get the "right" chords more easily.

A couple of your queries, Barry - if you learn on, say, a B/C box and then pick up a D/G one, you won't be able to play it unless you've stuck entirely to single-row playing and only used the bass buttons that "belong" with each row. You would, however, be able to switch from a D/G to a C/F, because the relationship between the rows is the same.

When it comes to singing, a melodeon's a bit limiting. It's not a case of one key suiting your voice - they key that suits you for one song will not be the same as for another song. Three rows is better than two in this respect (more choice), but if you really want it for singing, a fully chromatic instrument (piano accordion, English concertina)will be better. Even a B/C melodeon will have limited chords (although you can make up the chords with the right hand if you like). But overall, a melodeon's really a dance-music instrument. Having said that, I do sing with D/G melodeon, but only certain songs where they key is comfortable.

I agree with GUEST (above) about the "intuitive" bit - recently I had a go on and English concertina, and quickly remembered why I had never learnt to play one. Its owner said, "It's very logical, but not very intuitive". The melodeon is quite the opposite. Some people prefer logic, some intuition - the only way to find out which suits you is to have a go.

In fact GUEST's post is full of useful stuff - print it out and pin it up on the wall. Good luck!

Marje