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Duet Concetina
There are three common types of Duet, all with a different keyboard layout, MacCann, Jeffries and Crane (or Triumph), as well as the more recent Hayden system. We have secondhand duets in stock at all times, but very few new duet concertinas are made these days. Two well known players are Alexander Prince (MacCann), & Tim Laycock (Crane)
The Crane or Triumph system has 5 columns of keys, and in this one the layout is simpler. The black notes are all on the outer two columns while the C scale is got by playing colums 1, 3, 2 then moving up a row.
Tunings and Fingerings
The McCann System has 39, 46, 55, 56 or more keys in 6 columns. As an idiot guide to maybe get you started, the outside 2 colums are basically the black notes, and the simplest scale is got by playing column 1 then three then 2 then 4, but the C scale also goes through a pattern of colums 1,2,4 at times. I was topl the layout was designed to facilitate playing in flat keys to accompany brass instruments. The 56 key and above instruments go down to C on the right hand and have a greater range of crossover (notes which exist both at the top range of the left hand and the bottom range of the right hand). Instruments with 55 keys and less only go down to G.The Crane or Triumph system has 5 columns of keys, and in this one the layout is simpler. The black notes are all on the outer two columns while the C scale is got by playing colums 1, 3, 2 then moving up a row.