Tattie- I'm sure you're not an unnatural' player but when I sing with the box I always find that remembering the words is enough to think about rather than the illogical (better word maybe?) and varying fingering of the melody side semitone tuned box- I prefer to keep life simple. If you can do it, you're a fine man, Charlie Brown....

Peter, I see no 'aesthetic' reason to exclude instrument players from accompanying themselves, although I know that generally that's the case in Ireland. I Had 20 years in Ireland, and it was the norm to be a musician (of traditional instruments) or a an unaccompanied singer but very seldom both together. I don't think that is as strict in Britain?
I was a rarity there & on visiting Sligo singers I amazed to be told no instrumental accompaniment was allowed! The founder, Frank Finn explained that twangy guitar players accompanying singers without permission had been a plague.
I accepted that, but months later, the rule was relaxed at Christmas & i started a song with my box, when you can guess what happened- out of tune & out of rhythm- I looked at the Fear an Ti and exchanged wry smiles!