It can look very confusing (and expensive) when you start looking for a melodeon. Do you settle for a Hohner Pokerwork (probably the most widely used melodeon around) or pay a lot more for a Castagnari, Saltarelle or one of the other more expensive boxes. Personally I used to belong to the 'Hohner is best' group for about 30 years until I was seduced by the dark side and bought a three row Saltarelle Cheviot. However my motive for the move was more to do with a need to reduce the strain of playing a Hohner Corona III standing up for four hours at a time at ceilidhs. I know I could have downsized to my faithful old Hohner Pokerwork, but I have just got too used to playing across all three rows.

SO WHERE TO START?

Well for children I have a real problem with parents paying out for expensive instruments that eventually fall out of favour so I wouldn't hesitate to suggest a mini melodeon-pick a starter pack up from my on line store for under £30.00.

WHAT ABOUT ADULTS?

If you fancy having a go to see if this is an instrument that you will really enjoy playing without investinga fortune before then a mini melodeon can easily be adapted to suit an adult and anything you learn can easily be transferred onto a more expensive box. Once you have convinced yourself that this really is going to be something you are going to enjoy and have success with then you can start to look at all those lovely Hohners, Castagnaris, Saltarelles etc.

WHERE NEXT AFTER THE MINI MELODEON?

This is a difficult one and is really down to personal preference. Go to a good music store or festival that stocks a good range and try out as many as you can. One of them will almost certainly reach out and grab you. However it is also worth thinking about where you are going to be playing it. If it is mainly outside for morris for example then you need a box that cuts through and perhaps isn't at the pricey end of the market-it might get wet! If on the other hand you are mainly going to be playing indoors through a PA system then a more refined quieter box is perfect. I use my Hohner Corona III for the morris as it is loud and seems to stand up to all weathers and a three row Saltarelle Cheviot on stage and for recording purposes.

HOW ABOUT THE NUMBER OF ROWS?

Here again it is down to preference, but when you are starting out a good two row will suit your purpose perhaps buying a two and a half row or 3 row if you decide you really need the extras. However a much ignored instrument is the one row melodeon. Listen to what some people can get out of this wonderful instrument-I just love them and have 2 Hohner 1 rows that I play regularly one in G and 1 in C.