IrishRover, you're totally right. I tell them I play the accordion, "Oh! How about the concertina?" When I tell them no they look at me like "You can play the accordion but not the concertina? What kind of lame-o are you?"

They just have no clue.

You know, Jon, I think people assume that because the concertina is generally smaller it will be easier, less complicated or something of that nature. Why? Hell if I know, because I've learnt to play the bagpipes which some consider one of the hardest instruments, and it's a hell of a lot easier than a concertina.

When I first picked up the Accordion my friends kept saying "You should play the concertina, it's easier." WTF?! There's a fricken keyboard on this instrument and buttons... all of the same color on that thing. Hell no!

It's gotten to the point that when people bring up concertinas to me I say, "F**K the concertina!"

I like my accordion.

Yes, Hohners are good. I have one. I have a D40. As far as ease, I'd say that a keyboard acciordion is easier than a concertina probably, but I'd reckon a concertina is easier than a 50000000 button accordion. Good luck with it mate.

I hate concertinas, my mum used to play one and it put me off them for life.

Jesus, don't be asking me about concertinas. The buttons on any concertina, Anglo, English, even the one Bing Crosby plays in High Society - all of them gobbledigook. I've never been able to get a tune recognizable to ears other than alien ones, out of one of those instruments. Terry's the one for the concertinas.

And the push-one-note, pull-another accordions are the same.

I'm a whistler/mando player and want to pick up concertina. Two questions..1..are Hohners playable, they are pretty inexpensive, which is why I ask..2..is accordion easier or harder, I'm not going to be a full-time player on either, so I figured maybe concertina..thanx in advance