concertina 101

 

 

 

 

Concertinas 101

 

 

 

 

          

This is a "broad stroke" explanation of concertinas, the different keyboard layouts, reed types, and quality classifications. Its purpose is primarily to provide an elementary understanding of the differences between the available models.

 

Concertinas are available in 3 keyboard layouts

Anglo

  • each button plays a different note on 'pull' and 'push', much like a (mouth) harmonica.

  • keyboard: consists of 2 (20 button) or 3 (30 button) rows of buttons per side of which row 1 is in the dominant key, and row 2 in the tonic key. Row 3 consists of notes not included in the 1st and 2nd row as well as a few doubles. Row 1 and 2 are in major keys: C/G, G/D, Bb/F etc. Anglos are available in  Wheatstone/Lachenal and Jeffries.
    The majority of the anglos are Wheatstone/lachenal.

  • pros: great for tonal and some modal (e.g. pentatonic) music. Initially easy to play simple tonal tunes because of the lay out of the keyboard.

  • cons: partially chromatic, not possible/very difficult to play outside the primary keys or non tonal music.

  • use: primarily in traditional music. (e.g. Irish, English, etc.)  

  • models: Concertina Connection models: Rochelle, Rochelle-2 (R2), Minstrel, Clover,
                  Wakker models: A1, A2, A3. A4, A5 and A6

English

  • each button plays the same note on 'pull' and 'push', like an accordion.

  • keyboard consists of 4 rows per side of which the middle 2 rows are the 'white' keys, and the outer rows the 'black keys' of the piano. 

  • pros: fully chromatic, allows playing in all keys. The english is the 'original' concertina, and has a considerable classical (19-20th century) repertoire.

  • cons:  relative easy to learn single line melodies, steep learning curve for original repertoire, which includes polyphonic/chordal music.

  • use: original classical repertoire, folk, ethnic (also non European), jazz, etc..  

  • models: Concertina Connection models: Jackie, Jack, Busker, Rose,
                  Wakker models: E1, E2, E3, E4 and Parnassus

Duet

  • each button plays the same note on 'pull' and 'push', like the english.

  • keyboard: there are several keyboard layouts in use.  We build primarily Wicky, Hayden and McCann duets.
    The low notes are always on the left side (accompaniment, bass clef), and the treble notes on the right side (melody, treble clef), much like a piano.

  • pros: small duets partly, large duets are fully chromatic, allows playing in most/all keys.  

  • cons: relative easy to learn single line melodies, steeper learning curve for polyphonic/chordal music.

  • use:  folk, jazz, some classical, etc..   

  • models: Concertina Connection models: Elise, Troubadour, Peacock,
                  Wakker models: H1, H2, W1 and W2, C2

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          Concertinas can also be divided into 2 categories

Hybrid (with accordion reeds)

  • Hybrid concertinas look like 'normal' concertinas, but the 'inside' is like an accordion.  Accordion reeds are much cheaper to produce than traditional concertina reeds, and are less sensitive to acoustic design requirements and materials. Because of their construction and reed size, hybrid concertinas are sometimes larger than their traditional counterparts. Accordion reeds are produced in several qualities.

  • models: all Concertina Connection models are hybrid concertinas

Traditional ( with 'real' concertina reeds)

  • Traditional concertina reeds look and perform differently from accordion reeds. They are more complicated to produce, especially high performance reeds.
    Because of this, they are much more expensive than accordion reeds. Concertina reeds are very acoustic-design sensitive, and their harmonic performance is affected by differences in chamber and cavity materials and design. You'll find them in vintage concertinas and all the Wakker models.

  • models: all Wakker Concertina models are traditional concertinas.

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         Concertinas can also be divided into 3 different quality classes

Entry level

  • reed type: hybrid

  • keyboard: Anglo, English, Duet (Hayden)

  • models: Jackie, Jack, Rochelle, Rochelle-2, and Elise.

Intermediate

  • reed type: hybrid

  • keyboard: Anglo, English, Duet (Wicky/Hayden)

  • models: Minstrel, Busker, Troubadour, Clover, Peacock and Rose.

 Traditional

  • reed type: traditional concertina

  • keyboard: Anglo, English, Duet (Wicky, Hayden, McCann)

  • models: all Wakker models

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           Trade in program
            We understand that most players prefer to start with an entry level instrument and work their way   
            'up the ladder' . 
            To facilitate upgrading, we offer a full purchase price refund when one of the above models is
             traded in for an instrument from a higher quality class. The program includes the entry level,  
             intermediate and traditional classes.

 

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