concertinas

The concertina is a small, portable free-reed instrument. It consists of two outward-extending bellows connected to a pair of endcap keyboards (one on each side). As the player expands or contracts the bellows, air flows across metal reeds; pressing a button directs air to one reed, sounding a pitch. The instrument is played by moving air direction with the bellows and pressing buttons to produce melodies and, with certain chords, harmonies. Concertinas are used in various folk, traditional, and some classical traditions worldwide.

There are three main families: Anglo, English, and Duet. The Anglo concertina has buttons on both ends that give different notes when you push or pull, enabling a diatonic keyboard suited to folk styles. The English concertina has a chromatic keyboard with the same note available on both push and pull, and is often used for classical and concert repertoire. The Duet concertina uses a specialized layout arranged to allow straightforward chromatic scales with the same fingering across keys, and is favored by players seeking uniform navigation across the compass.

Construction: It is typically made with metal or wood ends, a bellows with fabric bellows material, and metal reeds inside reed blocks. The reeds are normally steel or brass. The instrument is compact but can be fairly heavy for concertina sizes with many notes. Reed lamination and air pressure contribute to tone; construction quality affects response and tuning.

History and use: The English concertina was developed in the 1830s by Sir Charles Wheatstone in England; the instrument soon spread across Europe and the British Isles. It gained popularity among street musicians, sailors, and, in some regions, in folk and dance music. In the 20th century, folk revival and world music expanded its repertoire.