G'day MARINER,

I'm not sure what you mean by "It is a different system than the one used in traditional music." German concertinas - or the better English-made Anglo-German concertinas (same fingering, slightly different layout, much more expensive) were the commonest concertinas in traditional music in the world.

Many modern folk performers use concertinas in magnificent chromatic systems (Wheatstone's original English System, the McCann Duet (a variant of a Wheatstone duet system), the lovely, logical so-called Triumph or Crane(actually invented by Butterworth) beloved of the Salvation Army or the rare and wierd (but magnificently playing) Jeffries Duet. These were mostly never seen by anyone outside of stage or band use ... and cost weeks of wages. the ordinary sailor, farmer or wage-earner in an industrial town used a 20 key German - until an Anglo was affordable. Perhaps they might even manage an Anglo-chromatic - but only if they were well off and musically literate.

Have a look at my booklet on Australian instruments and you will get an idea of the use of the various systems: Traditional Bush nstruments.

Anyway, it will work well for dance music. You may have to live with a few uncomfortable keys if you want to sing to it ... but it sure as heck is the traditional concertina (maybe 5 million or more made against about half a million of all the chromatic styles).

Regards,

Bob Bolton