The English concertina is a member of the concertina ‘family’ of instruments, all of which have free-reeds and are bellows blown. It was invented by Charles Wheatstone who took out his first patent for the instrument in 1829.

Charles Wheatstone is better known as an eminent physicist and member of the Royal Society.   However, he also had a lifelong interest in music, and in musical instruments. The inclusion of  ‘English’ in the name of the instrument signifies the type of fingering system used. In the 1820’s and 30’s similar free-reed instruments were being developed in Germany. These German instruments had a different fingering system and were known as ‘Anglo-German’ concertinas (now called Anglo  concertinas).

The English concertina is fully chromatic and has the same has the same range as a violin. The buttons are arranged in four rows on each side of the instrument. Each button produces a single note which is same on both the push and pull of the bellows.

The English concertina was originally developed as a classical instrument, although the classical repertoire is seldom played these days. By the 1860’s and 70’s the instrument was used extensively by music hall performers, and by the Salvation Army. The English concertina’s popularity continued into the early 20^th Century. But by the 1940’s and 50’s it was beginning to slip into obscurity. Its renaissance came in the 1960’s as part of the English folk revival. It continues to be a popular instrument for folk musicians who value its versatility either as a solo instrument or to accompany song.

There are a small number of English concertina makers today, all of whom make high quality instruments. Many players favour a restored instrument, made either by Wheatstone, or one of the other manufacturers of the 19^th and early 20^th century. Find out more at the International Concertina Association.

Sally plays a 48-key English treble concertina made by Charles Wheatstone and Company in 1925.