Concertina
What's a Concertina?
A concertina is a bellows-driven free-reed musical instrument, in the same family as accordions.
It has buttons on each end. When pressed, the buttons move in the same direction as the bellows,
unlike accordion buttons which travel perpendicularly.
The English concertina (which I play) was invented in 1829 by Sir Charles Wheatstone, a famous
engineer and scientist (also inventor of the electric telegraph). It is a fully chromatic instrument
with a range very similar to that of the violin. There is another kind of concertina
known as an Anglo (originally Anglo-German), which has less keys and produces different notes on push
and pull (like a mouth organ or harmonica).
For more information see The Concertina FAQ Home Page.
Paul Hardy's Concertinas
My first Concertina - Lachenal Excelsior
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Lachenal Excelsior . A steel-reeded
instrument that probably started life in the Salvation Army.
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My second Concertina - Wheatstone Tutor
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Wheatstone Tutor. An older brass reeded
instrument that I use for practice around the house (less strident than the
Lachenal). Hear a sample of me playing Sun Asembly on this (in three parts!).
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My third Concertina - George Case Baritone
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George Case Baritone. A
brass-reeded baritone instrument, an octave lower than a usual English
concertina. Good for lower parts in bands, and for voice accompaniment.
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My fourth Concertina - Lachenal Edeophone Tenor/treble
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Lachenal Edeophone Tenor/Treble.
The Edeophone was Lachenal's top of the range instruments. This is a
Tenor/Treble and hence has one more row of four keys on each side lower than a
usual English concertina. I sold it in March 2011.
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My fifth Concertina - Lachenal Treble 30566
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Lachenal Treble 30566.
Another English tutor instrument, bought in bad condition and restored by me, but not really playable, so then converted to MIDI - see next instrument.
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My fifth Concertina reincarnated - MIDI conversion of Lachenal 30566
My sixth Concertina - Riccordi Anglo
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Riccordi anglo.
A cheap and cheerful anglo, with no serial number visible. Aquired in USA from a hiking friend.
Was in unplayable condition (key rubbers rotted), and I restored it to working order. However, I still can't handle the concept
of different notes on push and pull!
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My seventh Concertina - Wheatstone Aeola 34801
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Wheatstone Aeola 34801.
The Aeola was the name of Wheatstone's top of the range instruments. This is my current favourite for playing in groups.
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My eighth Concertina - John Connor English 2
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John Connor 2.
John Connor worked in the Crabb factory when it closed, and set up on his own. It is a loud fast instrument, good for leading.
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My ninth Concertina - Lachenal tutor 52313
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Lachenal Treble 52313.
An English tutor instrument, bought on eBay from John Sheehy in condition "for parts or not working", so is in (ongoing)
process of restoration.
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My tenth Concertina - George Case black treble 3087
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George Case treble 3087.
A quality English treble instrument from one of the lesser-known makers, bought from Simon Skelton in Devon. This is still in old pitch, and I'm leaving it that way.
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My Eleventh Concertina - Lachenal treble 57544
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Lachenal tutor 57544.
A tutor English treble instrument from about 1929, bought from an auction in Devon. The bellows split apart on first use, but I have mended them.
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My twelfth Concertina - George Case amboyna-ended treble 2760
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George Case treble 2760.
A quality English treble instrument from one of the lesser-known makers, bought from eBay. I've restored and retuned it, and it has become a favourite round the house instrument.
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My Thirteenth Concertina - Lachenal treble 36733
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Lachenal tutor 36733.
A tutor English treble instrument from about 1897, bought via Facebook. I've restored and retuned it, and it is currently on loan to a beginner.
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My Fourteenth Concertina - Lachenal treble 27590
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Lachenal tutor 27590.
A tutor English treble instrument from about 1880, bought from another Chiltina. Awaiting restoration and retuning.
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My Fifteenth Concertina - Lachenal treble 15584
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Lachenal tutor 15584.
A tutor English treble instrument from about 1865, bought from a neighbour. Awaiting restoration and retuning.
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My Tunebooks
My tunebooks of hundreds of tunes are available in my tunebook page.
My recordings
Concertina Links
To send me an email message, use paul at paulhardy dot net
Back to Paul and Margaret Hardy's Home Page
