I've been messing about with a Rochelle concertina. One thing I have no clue about is how loose or tight the straps should be!?!
I would imagine that their would be a fair bit of personal preference involved, but is there any objective way to determine what would be optimal.

As it stands the strap on my concertina is as tight as it goes, so I would have to punch a new hole in the strap to make it any more snug. There are no other players in my area to learn from and I won't be meeting up with any other players until May. So, any help on this would be greatly appreciated!

I have had to punch additional holes in my straps in the past - a nervewracking proposition, indeed. For later concertinas I requested specially smaller handstraps from the maker. It does come down to personal preference. I tend to have one strap slightly looser than the other, though at the moment I can't recall which is which.

There are a few concertina parts suppliers who sell spare straps, so all is not lost if you punch some new holes and are dissatisfied with the result. You could also get some scrap leather from a craft shop, trace your existing strap and punch the new holes in the other "sample" strap to see if you like the end result before punching anything on your actual straps.

_________________
An bhfuil aon dearmad i mo Ghaeilge? Abair mé, le do thoil!

As you suggest, a lot depends on personal preference. A few thoughts I've picked up from various teachers. Most suggest a samll space, maybe a quarter inch between the palm and the hand rest. This should allow some re-positioning of the hand to reach low notes or incidentals. I find that I tend to adjust new straps after 6 months of playing beause they will stretch out a bit.

Go to your local shoe repair shop. They have a special tool to make the holes look nice. A horse harness maker may have the same tools. I don't know who else.

_________________
Rose tint my world. Keep me safe from my trouble and pain.
白飞梦

[ Thread revival ]

I bought a hole-punching tool at one of the box box stores. Home Depot or the like. The tool cost less than $10. It is well worth it to customize the hand straps. This leather punch is the same as the one that I have. It's cheaply made but it will last a life time.
This hole punch costs a few dollars more but it is much better quality. So it should last two life times.

_________________
Freedom is merely privilege extended, unless enjoyed by one and all. The Internationale