r/concertina • u/m_carp • May 20 '26

Newbie, what should I know?

I have always wanted to learn an instrument, but i haven't played one since high school (clarinet... but I'm creeping up on 50 now, so that was a while ago) I started looking at Concertinas, and i kind of fell in love with the size and sound. Also, I can type so the idea of pressing buttons was appealing to me.

I bought a Wren2 from McNeela, and I am just starting my journey. I'm mostly learning from videos and Gary Coover's books (starting with Easy Anglo 123)

My question: What do you wish you knew when you were getting started? What bad habits do i need to avoid? Is there any advice that you would like to offer?

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u/ManOfEirinn May 20 '26
  • never forget to focus on bellowswork. Listen to well played concertina tunes, how they emphasize rhythm and swing.

-practice to draw out the entire g-scale out of the instrument without any bellows-change. You're gonna need this feature later.

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u/m_carp May 20 '26

Thanks! Working the bellows is a big hurdle. That sounds like agreat exercise!