Certainly with my little foray into playing the English Concertina,I was amazed at how painful it was to hold it,The thumb strap was OK but over a period of time makes the thumb sore,the little finger rest is absolute agony,my finger cramping up within minutes of holding the instrument.The Anglo hand strap arrangement releases all fingers to play including the left thumb,(the right used for air control) and makes full chording and accompaniment available. Any improvement on the method of holding the English Concertina has got to be worthwhile and making the little finger available for additional notes must be a step forward.
Al