MUSIC, SONGS
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POETRY
& POETRY
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MUSIC
SONGS
POETRY
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CONCERTINA HISTORY
The concertina was invented by Charles Wheatstone in the 1820's, and although it was intended for playing classical music, it quickly became popular with folk song and dance players. As the instrument became popular, other manufacturers such as Lachenal, Crabbe and Jones appeared. The type I play is the "English Concertina", which has forty eight buttons or keys (this can vary up to fifty six on some extended range models) and is fully chromatic. Besides it's general appearance, it's main distinction is that you get the same note when a button is pressed no matter if the bellows are moved in or out. A later development occurred when German makers produced the Anglo-German model (later known just as an Anglo), which besides having a different strapping and button arrangement, the main difference was that you would receive a different note when the same button was pressed and the bellows moved in or out. There is a third type called a "Duet", which attempts to combine advantages from both systems, such as being fully chromatic, bass notes on left and treble on right and the same note if pushed or pulled, but they are no where near as popular as the main two systems. I know this is a very brief history of the instrument, and I am sure a search of the internet will provide you with a far more comprehensive account.
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