Index of Sections

Directory

This is an index of the major sections in the Concertina Library, with some of the documents most often sought. It does not contain a link to every document on the site (for that, see the archive of items added each year, or the site map). Click on a section listed here to see an index of all the documents in that section.

Concertina Library

 

concertina-com-plus-search-site Search the Concertina Library
by Robert Gaskins

Search Concertina Library
The Concertina Library (this site) is an online reference library for all concertinas, including the English concertina, Anglo concertina, and several kinds of Duet concertina systems, with particular strength in the Maccann Duet concertina. It contains instruction books, concertina sheet music, history documents, patents, technical papers, and new research articles by leading scholars, video and audio of concertina players plus links to other concertina websites. Read, download, print—all free.
Posted 15 February 2001
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about-homepage About the Concertina Library
by Robert Gaskins
Information about how to use the Concertina Library.
  Goals
  Organization
  How to make the text bigger or smaller
  How to improve the screen appearance
  How to print documents
  About PDF format documents
  Resources used by this website
  How to cite the Concertina Library
  How to link to the Concertina Library site
  How to link to Concertina Library documents from the concertina.net forums
  Background (the old Maccann Duet Concertina site)
  How to subscribe to updates
  Future Developments
  Send Us a File
Posted 01 January 2005
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whats-new “What’s New” Archive for the Concertina Library
Directory
Directory of additions and updates to the contents of the Concertina Library, frequently updated.
Posted 14 January 2002
» go to directory of available years (2001–present)
ebay-listings Worldwide Real-Time eBay Listings for “Concertina”
by Robert Gaskins
Latest listings from eBay sites around the world, retrieved anew each time this webpage is loaded, linked to the eBay items. Can be configured to perform other searches, on any one or more of the eBay national sites. Includes listings from eBay United States, eBay United Kingdom, eBay Ireland, eBay Australia, eBay Germany, eBay Austria, eBay Switzerland, eBay Spain, eBay France, eBay Netherlands, eBay Italy, eBay Belgium, eBay Canada, eBay Taiwan, eBay China, and eBay India. Auctions at eBay are generally poor places to find playable instruments, but have unearthed much general knowledge about ordinary concertinas and occasional museum pieces.
Posted 01 January 2005
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calculator Calculate Modern Values of Historic Concertina Prices
by Randall C. Merris and Robert Gaskins
“How much would that be in new money?” An interactive calculator to convert sterling values from any year 1830–1999 to the equivalent value in the year 2000. The calculation preserves the relation between the chosen value and “average earnings” for the two dates; this method makes it appropriate for converting wages and capital sums, and also for expensive discretionary products such as concertinas. The calculator deals with both “old money” (prior to 1971) and the later decimalized currency. It is especially useful for understanding historical documents such as old advertisements and pricelists, and the sales prices and wages recorded in the Wheatstone Concertina Ledgers from the Horniman Museum.
Posted 01 January 2005
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other-sites-homepage Guide to Concertinas on the Web
Directory
Directory of some leading websites that contain information about concertinas. Each site has a brief description and screen shot, and custom search boxes allow you to search each site individually or to search all of the sites at one time.
Posted 01 January 2005
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Contributing Authors

 

contributors-homepage Index of Contributing Authors
Directory
Index of Contributing Authors to the Concertina Library.
Posted 01 January 2005
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algar-homepage From Chris Algar’s Concertina Archives
by Chris Algar
Dirctory of contributions by Chris Algar.
Posted 15 November 2001
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atlas-homepage Free-Reed Renaissance
by Allan Atlas
Directory of contributions by Allan Atlas.
Posted 15 August 2003
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birley-homepage Concertinas at the Horniman Museum
by Margaret Birley
Directory of contributions by Margaret Birley.
Posted 01 January 2005
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callagnan-homepage Concertinas in Garland Films
by Barry Callaghan
Directory of contributions by Barry Callaghan.
Posted 01 January 2005
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carlin-homepage Concertina Tradition
by Richard Carlin
Directory of contributions by Richard Carlin.
Posted 01 January 2005
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chambers-homepage Free Reeds Ancient and Modern
by Stephen Chambers
Directory of contributions by Stephen Chambers.
Posted 15 January 2004
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cornell-homepage New Arrangements of Music for Maccann Duet Concertina
by David Cornell
Dirctory of contributions by David Cornell.
Posted 15 December 2001
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digby-homepage The Compleat Angloer
by Roger Digby
Directory of contributions by Roger Digby.
Posted 15 August 2005
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eydmann-homepage The Scottish Concertina
by Stuart Eydmann
Directory of contributions by Stuart Eydmann.
Posted 15 June 2005
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gaskins-homepage The Amateur Concertinist
by Robert Gaskins
Directory of contributions by Robert Gaskins.
Posted 15 February 2003
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merris-homepage New Essays on Concertina History
by Randall C. Merris
Directory of contributions by Randall C. Merris.
Posted 01 April 2003
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wayne-homepage The Freest Reed
by Neil Wayne
Directory of contributions by Neil Wayne.
Posted 01 January 2005
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williams-homepage Concertina History Resources
by Wes Williams
Directory of contributions by Wes Williams.
Posted 01 April 2003
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worrall-homepage Exploring the Anglo
by Dan Worrall
Directory of contributions by Dan Worrall.
Posted 15 June 2005
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Concertina Systems

 

concertina-systems-homepage Concertina Systems
Directory
Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about different types of Concertina Systems.
Posted 01 January 2005
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english-homepage English Concertinas
Directory
Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about English Concertinas.
Posted 01 January 2005
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anglo-homepage Anglo-German and German Concertinas
Directory
Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about Anglo-German and German Concertinas.
Posted 01 January 2005
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maccann-duet-homepage Maccann Duet Concertinas
Directory
Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about Maccann Duet Concertinas.
Posted 01 January 2005
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double-homepage Early Wheatstone Double System Duet Concertinas
Directory
Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about Early Wheatstone Double System Duet Concertinas.
Posted 01 January 2005
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duett-homepage Early Wheatstone Duett System Duet Concertinas
Directory
Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about Early Wheatstone Duett System Duet Concertinas.
Posted 01 January 2005
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crane-duet-homepage Crane ("Triumph") System Duet Concertinas
Directory
Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about Crane (or "Triumph") System Duet Concertinas.
Posted 01 January 2005
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jeffries-duet-homepage Jeffries System Duet Concertinas
Directory
Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about Jeffries System Duet Concertinas.
Posted 01 January 2005
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chidley-duet-homepage Late Wheatstone Chidley System Duet Concertinas
by Robert Gaskins
Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about Late Wheatstone Chidley System Duet Concertinas.
Posted 01 January 2005
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hayden-duet-homepage Hayden System Duet Concertinas
Directory
Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about Hayden System Duet Concertinas, including most of Brian Hayden's published articles.
Posted 01 January 2005
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Historic Concertina Makers

 

makers-homepage Historic Concertina Makers
Directory
Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about historic concertina makers, so far including C. Wheatstone & Co., Lachenal & Co., C. Jeffries Maker, George Jones & Sons, H. Crabb and Son.
Posted 01 January 2005
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wheatstone-homepage C. Wheatstone & Co.
Directory
Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about C. Wheatstone & Co.
Posted 01 January 2005
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lachenal-homepage Lachenal & Co.
Directory
Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about Lachenal & Co.
Posted 01 January 2005
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jeffries-homepage C. Jeffries, Maker
Directory
Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about C. Jeffries Maker and Jeffries Brothers.
Posted 01 January 2005
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jones-homepage George Jones & Sons
Directory
Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about George Jones & Sons.
Posted 01 January 2005
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crabb-homepage H. Crabb and Son
Directory
Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about H. Crabb and Son.
Posted 01 January 2005
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Instruction for Concertinas

 

concertina-instruction-homepage Instruction for Concertinas
Directory
Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about instruction for playing concertinas.
Posted 01 January 2005
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williams-fingering-charts Fingering Charts for Concertinas
by Wes Williams
Keyboard diagrams for the most important concertina fingering systems: English, Anglo, and Maccann Duet, plus Early Wheatstone Double Duet, Early Wheatstone "Duett" Duet, Crane (or Triumph) Duet, Jeffries System Duet, Late Wheatstone Chidley Duet, and Hayden (or Wicki) Duet.
Posted 07 March 2005
» read full article

Maccann Duet Concertina

gaskins-chords-maccann How to Play Chords on Any Maccann Duet Concertina
by Robert Gaskins
Explains how to play chords to accompany songs on Maccann Duet concertinas of any size and from any period. Intended for beginners, assumes no knowledge of musical notation or theory. Includes a chord chart suitable for the lid of a concertina case. 51 pages.
Posted 15 February 2001
» read full article in pdf
cornell-beginners A Beginner's Set of Duet Concertina Arrangements
by David Cornell
Six arrangements all in the key of C and progressing from easy to more difficult, with detailed comments on fingering and technique and a diagram of left hand bass pattersns. Includes: On Top of Old Smokey (two versions), Oh Susanna, The Battle Hymn of the Republic, Sweet Sixteen, and Scotland the Brave. 18 pages.
Posted 27 December 2001
» read full arrangements in pdf
maccann-new-method-tutor New Method of Instructions for the New Chromatic Duet English Concertina ... &c.
by John Hill Maccann
Maccann’s own tutor, first published 1885 by Lachenal. Cover reads in part: "New Method of Instructions for the New Chromatic Duet English Concertina, with separate diagrams of keyboards and full instructions of proper fingering, so arranged that without a knowledge of music the instrument can be easily mastered ... Suitable for the 39, 47, or 56 Keyed Instrument. By J. H. Maccann, (Professor of the Duet English Concertina)." First edition, London: Lachenal & Co., 1885. 43 pages. Trim size 10 inches by 13 inches. Updated 01 July 2003: Fourth edition (date unknown), the cover of which reads in part "Suitable for the 39, 46 or 55 Keyed Instrument." 4th Edition. 43 pages. This copy was provided by Bradley Strauchen, Deputy Keeper of Musical Instruments at the Horniman Museum.
Posted 15 February 2003; last updated 01 July 2003
» (1st ed.) read full document in pdf
» (4th ed.) read full document in pdf
rutterford-duet-tutor-fourth-ed A Practical and Comprehensive Tutor for the Duet Concertina
by Ernest Rutterford
The tutor for the Maccann Duet concertina which was published and sold by Wheatstone over a very long period. It does not contain the name "Maccann," but refers only to the Wheatstone Duet. (Wheatstone's Instructions for the Duet Concertina.) 4th ed. London: undated (1930's?). From an original owned by Chris Algar. 56 pages.
Posted 15 November 2001
» read full article in pdf
jeffries-maccann-chords-tutor Maccann Duet Chords Tutor Manuscript
from Robert Gaskins
A polished 76-page manuscript “chords tutor” found in the case of a matching 57-key Maccann Duet made by C. Jeffries Maker, 23 Praed St. The instrument and the tutor are dated c. 1915. This may have been a “semi-bespoke” tutor included with the instrument when it was originally sold. Unlike the much later Jeffries System manuscript tutor (c. 1960) written with a biro (ballpoint pen) in very rough style, this much-longer document was written with a split pen and is very carefully finished.
Posted 15 February 2003
» read full document in pdf
stanley-tutor-evans Stanley Manuscript Maccann Duet Tutor
by Henry Stanley
One of a number of similar manuscript tutors for the Maccann Duet Concertina written by Henry Stanley for his private pupils. Exercises, scales, chords, tunes of graduated difficulty, tips on technique. Hand written on music paper, 41 pages. This copy belongs to Richard Evans.
Posted 15 May 2003
» read full document in pdf
hayden-all-systems-duet-workshop All-Systems Duet Workshop Tutor
by Brian Hayden
Tutor for a workshop on how to play duet concertinas of all systems. Begins with notation, fingering, and chords for Maccann Duets, Jeffries Duets, Crane (Triumph) Duets, and Hayden Duets. Tunes of progressive difficulty, with increasing number of notes and then in keys with increasing numbers of accidentals, all written in notation based on the treble clef. Notes on chord patterns and on strategies for melody and accompaniment applicable to all systems of duet concertina. Presented to The West Country Concertina Players, 1994. 20 pages.
Posted 15 August 2003
» read full document in pdf
hayden-playing-chords Playing Chords [for English, Anglo, and Maccann Duet]
by Brian Hayden
"I would like to explain the system that I use when teaching players about chords, their structure, and placement. Chords are what I am most requested to explain at folk music workshops or gatherings as I tend to use chords a lot in my own playing." (From the introduction.) Includes a novel notation for chords which is used elsewhere on this website. As published in Concertina Magazine (Australia) in three parts, 12-14 (1985), 12:5-7, 13:12-14, and 14:8-10; with corrections in 15-16 (1986), 15:14 and 16:1,6,9.
Posted 01 March 2004
» read full article in pdf
callaghan-reuben-shaw-video           Garland Films Presents: “Reuben Shaw—Duet Concertina Player”
by Barry Callaghan
On 7 February 1987, Barry Callaghan of Garland Films with fieldworker Graham Coyne filmed a lengthy interview and demonstration, in which Reuben Shaw talks about his life and music. He discusses early performers, his difficulties in finding music to study, and plays the Maccann Duet concertina from some of his collection of Henry Stanley manuscript arrangements. This film has been available from Garland Films on PAL VHS tapes for some time, but now the entire film is available on this website and is available on DVD from Garland Films. STATUS: Article is online now with still pictures, but video clips are not yet available for streaming (in production now).
Posted Coming soon
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gaskins-which-duet Which Duet Concertina—Hayden or Maccann?
by Robert Gaskins
A comparative review of two concertinas: a Stagi Hayden Duet concertina (c. 2003), and a Lachenal Maccann Duet concertina (c. 1900). Each instrument has 46 keys, and each cost £500 ($800) ready to play. On almost every measure, the antique Lachenal Maccann Duet turned out to be preferable to the modern Stagi Hayden Duet—by a considerable margin. The advantages frequently mentioned as belonging to the Hayden system (uniformity of fingering in all key signatures, automatic transposition) turned out to be significantly compromised by the restricted size of the Stagi. If you want to play a duet concertina, at present you will probably do best to buy a Maccann Duet.
Posted 01 March 2004
» read full article

English Concertina

butler-the-concertina-tutor The Concertina: A Handbook and Tutor for Beginners on the English Concertina
by Frank E. Butler
The standard tutor for the English concertina during the concertina revival in the 1970s. Based on classes offered at the Battersea Institute under the auspices of the Inner London Education Authority. Introduction to music, exercises, and elementary tunes. Originally published by Neil Wayne at the Free Reed Press, Duffield, Derby, England, in 1974. 64pp plus covers. The scan was made by Wes Williams.
Posted 15 January 2005
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atlas-regondis-golden-exercise Signor Alsepti and “Regondi’s Golden Exercise”
by Allan Atlas
Discussion and explanation with new fingering of a celebrated excercise from James Alsepti's English tutor, published by Lachenal c. 1895, with the explanation “The following exercise, which has never before been published, was taught to Signor Alsepti by Regondi. It is very difficult for all instruments, especially the Concertina, and to thoroughly master it with the correct fingering &c. will enable the Pupil to play passages in all keys.”. As published in Concertina World 426 supplement (2003) pp. 1-8.
Posted 22 December 2003
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atlas-ladies The Victorian Concertina: Some Issues Relating to Performance
by Allan W. Atlas
Present-day players of the ‘English’ concertina must make a number of important decisions when delving into and performing the large repertory of art music that was written for the instrument in Victorian England. These decisions become especially critical for those who would perform the music in a manner that may at least approximate the way it may have sounded in the nineteenth century. Originally published in Nineteenth-Century Music Review, 3/2 (2006), 30 pages including photographs and musical examples. Briefly, there are three basic decisions to be made. The first two concern the choice of instrument: (1) modern instrument or period (Victorian) instrument; and (2) if the latter, what kind of instrument in terms of reeds (type of metal), tuning, structure of the bellows and number of buttons. The third decision, on the other hand, has to do with a fundamental question of playing technique: should we use three or four fingers of each hand?
Posted 15 November 2007
» read full article

Anglo Concertina

digby-faking-it “Faking It”
by Roger Digby
with a section on the Duet Concertina by Kurt Braun
Subtitled "A guide to selecting appropriate chords on the Anglo and Duet Concertinas". Explains how to play the concertina from a “fake book” or “busker’s book”, which gives a melody line and an indication of the chords for accompaniment. 16pp. Originally published for the ICA, 2004.
Posted 15 August 2005
» read full document
digby-faking-examples “Faking It”: a dozen examples
by Roger Digby
Musical examples to accompany the web publication of “Faking It”. Twelve tunes that are common in sessions and include most of the dance rhythms, six tunes in C and six in G as the most common Anglo keys. Each tune is represented by the music (printed without chords), and also by a sound file of Roger Digby playing the Anglo concertina as you might hear at a casual session. Originally presented at a workshop for the East Anglian Traditional Music Trust, 2004. Tunes include: Blaydon Races, Dannish Waltz, Dorset Four Hand Reel, Family Jig, Galopede, Greensleeves, Harry Cox’s Schottisch, Keel Row, Shepton Mallet Hornpipe, The Man in the Moon, Three Around Three, and Winster Galop.
Posted 15 August 2005
» read full article
merris-minasi-german-tutor-1846 Earliest Known English-Language German Concertina Tutor: Minasi’s “Instruction Book” 1846
by Randall C. Merris and Dan Worrall
Carlo Minasi published the earliest known English-language tutor for the German ("Anglo-German") concertina by 1846 in London. This publication goes well beyond the basics; in it are instructions not only for the simple “along the row” melody line style, but also extensive discussions of octave playing, cross row fingering, and chord accompaniment. Numerous fully arranged musical selections are included, almost all in the “English” or “harmonic” style, where chords are played on the left and melody on the right, more or less as a duet concertina is played.
Posted 15 August 2005
» read full article
jones-tutor-1946 Tutor for the Chromatic Anglo Concertina
by George Jones
London: Wheatstone & Co., Reprinted 1946. (This is a very late reprint edition of George Jones, The Chromatic Anglo-German Concertina Tutor, London: G. Jones, 1876, entry A40 in Merris's bibliography.) This scan was made by Wes Williams.
Posted 15 January 2004
» read full document in pdf

Other Duet Systems

warren-double-wheatstone-tutor Instructions for the Double Concertina
by Joseph Warren (C. Wheatstone & Co.)
A complete tutor for the Double duet, with an introduction devoted to the theory of the keyboard arrangement and the leveraging of patterns among key signatures. Published by Wheatstone & Co., deposited at the British Museum 28 July 1855. 27 pages. Printed in large format, trim size 9.5 inches by 14 inches.
Posted 15 February 2003
» read full document in pdf
duett-wheatstone-tutor Instructions for Performing on Wheatstone's Patent Duett Concertina
by Anonymous (C. Wheatstone & Co.)
From page 2: "Many persons having formed opinions very prejudicial to the Concertina, in consequence of mistaking for the original, an imitation called the German Concertina, the public is informed that, the so called instrument is totally different (with the exception of the exterior) ... ." Published by Wheatstone & Co., deposited at the British Museum 28 July 1855. 21 pages. Trim size 6.5 inches by 10 inches.
Posted 15 February 2003
» read full document in pdf
wilston-bulstrode-crane-tutor Crane's Patent English Combination Concertina Tutor
by H. Wilston-Bulstrode
The earliest tutor for Crane-system duets, published for Crane's of Liverpool. Contains key diagrams for instruments from 35 keys to 55 keys, theory, exercises, and a number of tunes. Published by Lachenal & Co., c. 1896. 54 pages. From the introduction: “Crane's Patent English Combination Concertina has already won for itself a name among the best-known masters of the instrument. Its capacity of execution, sweetness of tone and adaptability for Harmonic combinations, taken with the striking ease with which it may be learnt, even by the least gifted musicians, must in due time cause it to be generally regarded as the leading Concertina in the market, a position which Messrs Crane & Sons Ltd. unhesitatingly claim for it.”
Posted 15 February 2003
» read full document in pdf
jeffries-system-chords-tutor Jeffries Manuscript “Tutor” for Jeffries System Duet
by Anonymous (Jeffries Bros.?)
Undated manuscript (possibly as late as 1959) showing fingering and chords for a Jeffries System Duet, apparently made by the Jeffries company. The document is fashioned from a notebook with pages cut so that the keyboard diagrams can remain static at the top while partial pages of chords and instructions for various keys can be turned below. Unlike the early Jeffries Maccann manuscript tutor (c. 1910) written with a split pen and very finished, this document is written with a biro (ballpoint pen) indicating a much later date, and is very rough. Manuscript now in the collection of the Horniman Museum, London (Item CM C1080). The notebook is at present contained in an envelope along with a letter from Thomas Jeffries dated 1959 which may or may not be related.
Posted 15 February 2003
» read full document in pdf
robertshaw-jeffries-page Keyboard Diagrams for Jeffries System Duet
by Nick Robertshaw
Diagrams of the note assignments on a 51-key Jeffries system duet played by Nick Robertshaw, one of the very few players of the system.
Posted 15 February 2003
» go to website
nichols-chidley-page Keyboard Diagrams for Chidley System Duet
by DoN Nichols
Keyboard layout of a Wheatstone model “4D” manufactured in September 1960, well after Wheatstone’s switch to making Chidley System Duets by default.
Posted 15 February 2003
» go to website
hayden-hayden-system The Hayden System
by Brian Hayden
Hayden's early (1983) account of the advantages of the Hayden system, stressing the ease of forming chords in any key and of transposing. As published in Concertina Magazine (Australia) 8 (Autumn, 1984): 4-8.
Posted 15 February 2003
» read full article in pdf
hayden-keyboard-system The Hayden Concertina Keyboard System
by Brian Hayden
Hayden's report on early manufacturing issues and adjustments made for the Dickinson Wheatstone production. As published in Concertina Magazine (Australia) 15 (Summer 1986): 11-14.
Posted 15 February 2003
» read full article in pdf

Music for Concertinas

 

concertina-music-homepage Music for Concertinas
Directory
Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about music for concertinas.
Posted 01 January 2005
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cornell-compendium Compendium of Arrangements for the Maccann Duet Concertina
by David Cornell
A single document containing forty-six intermediate to advanced arrangements plus an introduction to notation. (Includes all arrangements on this website.) 66 pages.
Posted 27 December 2001; last updated 02 November 2002
» read full arrangements in pdf
cornell-christmas Christmas Music for Concertina
by David Cornell
Christmas music arranged for Maccann Duet concertina. Includes Coventry Carol (with comments), Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Joy to the World, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
Posted 15 December 2004
» go to directory
stanley-arrangements Arrangements of Music for Maccann Duet Concertina
by Henry Stanley
Arrangements of music by Henry Stanley of Birmingham, a leading teacher and performer on the Maccann Duet concertina from the period between world wars, and an early member of the International Concertina Association. Stanley used his beautiful musical calligraphy to write personal arrangements and tutors for his many pupils. Most items from the Cecil C. White Archive of Henry Stanley Arrangements for Maccann Duet Concertina, augmented by contributions from Richard Evans and others.
Posted 22 January 2005
» read full article
atlas-church-bells Imitation of Church Bells and Organ, arranged by Henri Albano
by Allan W. Atlas
Notes on and reproduction of music for one of the perennial staples of concertina performance. As published in The Free-Reed Journal, 3 (2001) 108-112.
Posted 15 January 2005
» read full arrangement in pdf
ica-library-site ICA Library
by Dave Bissett, Librarian
Library of the International Concertina Association, listing of music holdings which include about 150 arrangements for the Maccann Duet concertina and many arrangements for English concertinas. (Music is not yet available on the net, and can only be copied for members.)
Posted 15 December 2001
» go to website

History of Concertinas

 

concertina-history-homepage History of Concertinas
Directory
Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about the history of concertinas.
Posted 01 January 2005
» go to directory
atlas-ladies Ladies in the Wheatstone Ledgers: the Gendered Concertina in Victorian England, 1835–1870
by Allan W. Atlas
This study looks at the 978 women for whom there are 1,769 transactions—about 12% of the total—recorded in nine extant Wheatstone & Co. sales ledgers that list the firm’s day-to-day sales from April 1835 to May 1870. It is in two parts: (1) an Introduction, which analyses the data presented in the Inventory from a demographic-sociological point of view and places Wheatstone’s commerce with women into the context of its business activity as a whole; and (2) the Inventory (with three appendices), which lists every transaction for each of the 978 women, identifies as many of them as possible, and offers a miscellany of comments about both the women and the transactions. Royal Musical Association Research Chronicle v. 39 (2006). 239 pages. Briefly, the roster of Wheatstone’s female customers reads like a list of Victorian England’s rich-and-famous: the Duchess of Wellington and 146 other members of the titled aristocracy (more than twice as many as their male counterparts), the fabulously wealthy philanthropist Angela Burdett Coutts, members of the landed gentry, and such mainstays of London’s musical life as the guitarist Madame R. Sidney Pratten, the organist Elizabeth Mounsey, and the contralto Helen Charlotte Dolby, as well as a large number of Professors of Concertina.
Posted 21 March 2007
» read full article
dating-homepage Dating Vintage Concertinas
Directory
Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about how to assign manufacturing dates to concertinas.
Posted 01 January 2005
» go to directory
williams-concertina-history The Concertina History Resource
by Wes Williams
This site (still early in its development) contains historical information about concertinas and concertina makers. A timeline helps to organize information about the changes of name and address among the major makers as bits of data are discovered. One use for this information is to help in answering the question “when was my concertina made?” which is very difficult to answer for most makers.

Search Concertina History Resource powered by Microsoft
Posted 15 February 2003
» go to website
worrall-anglo-in-united-states A Brief History of the Anglo Concertina in the United States
by Dan Worrall
In the United States the Anglo-German concertina was very popular during the middle and late nineteenth century, but by the early twentieth century it had all but vanished from American popular culture, becoming only a Hollywood symbol of “the old days”. After the revival of interest in traditional music and in concertinas from the 1960s the Anglo has once again had some popularity in the United States, but without connection to any tradition of its earlier widespread use in America. This paper attempts to reconstruct a basic history of the Anglo concertina in the U.S. by using nineteenth-century tutors, newspaper mentions, anecdotes from family histories, and archival photographs. Topics discussed include the early use of German concertinas in the Eastern U.S., the use of Anglo concertinas by Mormon and other western pioneers, use during the War Between the States, use by African-Americans, use in nautical contexts, use by immigrant and other ethnic groups, and use by the American branch of the Salvation Army. Some previously unpublished photographs are included.
Posted 15 April 2007
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worrall-anglo-in-united-states Notes on the Beginnings of Concertina Playing in Ireland, 1834–1930
by Dan Worrall
Although the Irish are known for their long folk memory, the story of how of concertina playing began there has been largely lost; it is often tagged to a threadbare tale of mariners bringing them up the Shannon estuary to Clare. This paper reconstructs its history by using period accounts from newspapers, books and family histories to document the social gatherings where it was played, and the vendors who sold it. The Anglo-German concertina was enormously popular all across Ireland during its heyday, amongst people of nearly all social and economic groups. The concertina is a much-favored instrument in County Clare, Ireland, and a few players there bridge the gap in time between the instrument’s heyday in the late nineteenth/early twentieth century and the current revival, which began in the 1970s. Its later concentration in Clare was not a result of how it arrived, but of local cultural and economic factors that aided its barest survival there while it was completely dropped—and all but forgotten—elsewhere in the country.
Posted 15 November 2007
» read full article
wayne-galpin The Wheatstone English Concertina
by Neil Wayne
Survey article covering the Wheatstone English Concertina, the only published source for much of Neil Wayne's path-breaking research. As published in The Galpin Society Journal 44 (1991), 117-149. (The online version does not yet perfectly match the printed version.)
Posted 01 January 2005
» go to website
britishpathe-concertina-factory The Wheatstone Factory in Islington, 1961
by British Pathe Newsreels
Concertinas are made and played at a factory in Islington, 03 April 1961. From newsreel "Colour Pictorial 327", 1961, Pathe Film ID 137.02. Available for free preview at reduced quality at the British Pathe website. Original title: "Concertina Factory (aka Concert in a Factory)".
Posted 01 January 2005
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concertina-man The Concertina Man
Presented by Peter Day,
Produced by Neil Koenig
BBC programme on the history and music of the concertina, focusing on its inventor Sir Charles Wheatstone as a somewhat belated recognition of his bicentenary in 2002. In addition to the presenter, Peter Day, the program features (in order of appearance) Bob Gaskins, Brian Bowers, Margaret Birley, Stephen Chambers, Frank James, Douglas Rogers, Sean Minnie, and Steve Dickinson. The program was produced by Neil Koenig. BBC World Service programme broadcast 07 September 2004.
Posted 22 November 2004
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cawdell-a-short-account-trans A Short Account of the English Concertina, … by W. Cawdell (1865)
by Robert Gaskins
A full transcription of the booklet published by William Cawdell in 1865 in which he attempts to recommend all the advantages of the new English Concertina providing some history, some opinions about contemporary performers, and some record of press reaction to the instrument. Allan Atlas has provided two contemporary reviews of Cawdell’s efforts. This transcription is based on two copies of the booklet, one in the New York Public Library (“1865”) and the other in the British Library (“1866”). These appear to be two printings of the same type with an altered title page. Links are provided to PDF scanned versions of both original documents.
Posted 15 January 2005; updated 15 September 2005
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» 1865 (N. Y. Public Library), full document in PDF
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merris-marie-lachenal Marie Lachenal: Concertinist
by Faye Debenham and Randall C. Merris
New photographs, genealogical data, and information about Marie Lachenal, eldest of Louis Lachenal’s daughters, and about her family life as the wife of the photographer Edwin Debenham. First published in PICA [Papers of the International Concertina Association], Vol. 2 (2005), pp. 1–17. The web version adds large colour photographs and additional information which has been discovered since the text went to print.
Posted 15 November 2005
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gaskins-lachenal-sisters-edinburgh The Lachenal Sisters Visit Edinburgh, 1865–1866
by Robert Gaskins
At Christmas of 1865–1866, three young daughters of the late Louis Lachenal gave a series of concerts in Edinburgh introducing “concerted music” played on treble, tenor, and bass concertinas. We think this was also exactly the period when Lachenal & Co. had lost their contract to manufacture concertinas for Wheatstone, making it important to publicize Lachenal’s own brand. Based on clippings from The Scotsman newspaper, Edinburgh, notices of concerts and reviews, October 1865 through January 1866.
Posted 01 February 2005
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lachenal-sig-wheatstone-concertina-ledgers Wheatstone Concertina Ledgers
Directory
Historical business records of C. Wheatstone & Co. from the Horniman Museum in London. Earlier ledgers from the Wayne Archives contain company sales records from the late 1830s to the 1860s along with production records from the 1860s to the 1890s and some early records of wages and other payments. Later ledgers from the Dickinson Archives contain production records from 1910 to 1974. All surviving ledgers have been digitized (some 2,300 pages in total) and made available free on the web for private research. The same material is also available to buy on an inexpensive CD. Includes an introduction to the project by Margaret Birley, Keeper of Musical Instruments at the Horniman Museum, and an article by Robert Gaskins describing in detail how the ledgers were digitized.
Posted 15 June 2003; Updated 15 June 2005
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chambers-annotated-catalogue An Annotated Catalogue of Historic European Free-Reed Instruments from my Private Collection
by Stephen Chambers
A very important paper describing nineteen instruments which illustrate key points in the development of European free-reed instruments, with large color photographs. This paper was presented at the 20th Musikinstrumentenbau-Symposium at Stiftung Kloster Michaelstein, held 19–21 November 1999, to coincide with an exhibition of the instruments. As Published in Harmonium und Handharmonika (Michaelsteiner Konferenzberichte 62), edited by Monika Lustig, Michaelstein, 2002, pp. 181-194.
Posted 15 January 2004
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wheatstone-music-1848-C823 “Music for the Concertina”
by Wheatstone & Co.
Catalogue of printed music (January 1848, dated 1848. 2 pages. This copy is in the collection of the Horniman Museum, no. C823.
Posted 15 January 2004
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wheatstone-pricelist-1848-C824 “The Concertina, A New Musical Instrument”
by Wheatstone & Co.
Promotional brochure and price list, dated 1848. 2 pages. This copy is in the collection of the Horniman Museum, no. C824.
Posted 15 January 2004
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pricelists-concertinas Concertina Pricelists
collected by Chris Algar
A unique collection of nearly 40 pricelists for vintage concertinas, mostly found in old concertina cases. From internal evidence it is possible to date the Wheatstone pricelists with more or less accuracy, but the Lachenal pricelists and others from dealers still have some uncertainty in dates.
Posted 07 March 2005
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maccann-homepage John Hill Maccann
Directory
Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about John Hill Maccann.
Posted 01 January 2005
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maccann-concertinists-guide The Concertinist's Guide
by John Hill Maccann
The Most Simple Modern Methods; How to Play Correctly, With or Without a Tutor 8vo. London: Howard & Co., 1888. Images from a microfilm of a copy at the Bodleian Library, replacing a British Library copy destroyed in World War II. (Former British Library shelfmark D-7808.c.14.(14.), replaced by British Library microfilm Mic.A. 10532(4), Bodleian Shelfmark 17426 e 3(2).) Also a full transcription which is searchable in the Adobe PDF reader. 50 pages.
Posted 15 November 2001
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maccann-how-to-play How to Play the Concertina
by John Hill Maccann
A newly-discovered booklet, reliably dated to 1902. The text of the document consists of two parts: (1) a part of the "how to play" text from Maccann's earlier publication The Concertinist's Guide (1888); and (2) an interview with Professor Maccann reprinted from The Era theatrical newspaper of London, issue of 25 January 1902. In addition to the text, the booklet contains some new photographs of Maccann, including the first known photographs of him playing the concertina. There is a sample program of a recital by Maccann, a list of phonograph records for sale recorded by Maccann, and a catalogue of some of Maccann's published music compositions. This copy was discovered in the National Archives of Australia, where it had been deposited for copyright registration.
Posted 27 September 2004
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jones-recollection-english-trans Recollections of the English Concertina, from 1844, by George Jones, born February 29th 1832
by George Jones
A full transcription of a manuscript now in the British Library, catalogued there as: Additional Manuscript 71124 Q, Recollections of the manufacture of the English concertina from 1844, by George Jones; [1912]. Presented by F. E. Butler, Esq., grandson of George Jones, 29 Aug. 1988, and incorporated in 1993. ff. 331 x 207mm. As published in Concertina Magazine, 13 (Winter 1985): 4–5, and 14 (Spring 1985): 4–7. Previously published (with heavy editorial additions) in FreeReed: The Concertina Magazine, No. 16 (November 1973): 14–20. A link is provided to PDF scanned versions of both publications.
Posted 15 January 2004
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hopkinson-cornell-re-reuben-shaw Memoirs of a Concertina-Playing Man: Reuben Shaw
as told to Phil Hopkinson, with an introduction by David Cornell
Memoirs of a player, a teacher, a link with the great British concertina tradition, and a fine story teller, who has played the Maccann Duet concertina for over fifty years. Reprinted from Concertina & Squeezebox, issue 29 (1993), pp. 12-17. Posted to honor Reuben Shaw’s 90th birthday, and to commemorate his appearance at the English Country Music Weekend at High Bradfield, Nr Sheffield, UK, 20-22 June 2003.
Posted 15 June 2003
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williams-timeline-snippets A Timeline of Snippets of Concertina History
by Wes Williams
Facts about concertina history and brief self-explanatory clippings arranged in a timeline. This arrangement frequently gives insight into dating instruments or archival materials through their internal evidence.
Posted 15 February 2003
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wayne-tommy-williams-interview The Tommy Williams Story
by Neil Wayne
Interview with Tommy Williams, Maccann Duet concertinist and former Lachenal employee. Published in three parts in Free Reed: The Concertina Newsletter, 3 (January 1972): 5–6; 5 (May 1972): 6–7; and 7 (August 1972): 10–12.
Posted 15 November 2001; last updated 15 January 2004
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Technology of Concertinas

 

concertina-technology-homepage Technology of Concertinas
Directory
Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about the technology of concertinas.
Posted 01 January 2005
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gaskins-baffles Baffles for Maccann Duet Concertinas
by Robert Gaskins
Explains how baffles fitted internally can reduce the volume and/or change the tone of a Maccann Duet concertina, and how the sound of each end can be controlled independently so that the "balance" of an instrument can be altered. The motivation for adding baffles is most often to accompany a singer, to alter the sound-quality, or to allow a right-hand melody to be heard while playing left-hand chords. With 88 step-by-step photographs, and web sources (UK and US) for all materials and tools needed. 15 March 2002: Updated with photos of early Wheatstone wooden baffles (from Paul Hardy) and of Lachenal linen linings cut out individually around every button (from Joe Palof). Also added, a photo of a unique ten-sided Maccann Duet which, rather than quieting the left end with baffles, instead makes the right end louder by doubling all the reeds on the right side (now owned by Neil Wayne, photo from Stephen Chambers). 15 February 2003: Updated with photos and description of very early Pre-Maccann Wheatstone Double Duet No. 23 (1847-1848) which was equipped at the factory with conventional baffles on both sides plus a special baffle inside the reed pan on the left side--only--to balance the volume of the two ends.
Posted 15 February 2002; last updated 15 February 2003
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» read section 1: "baffles for maccann duet concertinas"
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» read section 3: "appendices, where to buy materials"
williams-hayden-chat A Chat with Brian Hayden
by Wes Williams
Brian Hayden was interviewed in 2001 about his background, his invention of the Hayden System, his views on other duet systems, and his suggestions for learning and playing the duet concertina. Contains keyboard diagrams for nine duet systems: the Early Wheatstone Duett, Early Wheatstone Double, Maccann, Jeffries, Crane (Triumph), Linton, Rust ("Piano"), Late Wheatstone Chidley, and Hayden. (There is also a PDF version of the article.) Also published at concertina.net.
Posted 15 February 2003
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patent-collection Historic Concertina Patents
Directory
A portfolio of full copies of nine historic concertina patents. Includes the early Wheatstone English patents, Maccann's Duet patent, Jones's Anglo patent, the Crane Duet patent, Kaspar Wicki's patent for the Wicki-Hayden system, and Brian Hayden's much later patent for the same system. Includes: C. Wheatstone 1829; C. Wheatstone 1844; Wm. Wheatstone 1861; Maccann 1884; Jones 1885; Alsepti and Ballinger 1885; Butterfield 1896; Wicki 1896; Hayden 1986. None of these patents has any current force, all have either lapsed or been abandoned.
Posted 15 December 2004
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horniman-site Horniman Museum
the Horniman Museum
The Horniman Museum in London is home to the largest collection of concertinas (more than 600 instruments) and much related archival research material. A photographic directory of concertinas in the collection is available on the site. The Wheatstone Concertina Ledgers at the Museum have been digitized and are online at a separate website.

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Posted 15 April 2003
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don-nichols-site DoN. Nichols’s Home Page
by DoN Nichols
Personal webpages about many concertina-related topics, but mostly about English concertinas, with an extensive commentary on their internal construction (illustrated with many photographs and diagrams of parts), and with some detailed information about tuning and maintenance. There are keyboard diagrams for English and for some Duet concertina systems, and a number of informative contributed articles on concertina history and miscellany.

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Posted 01 April 2003
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hayden-fingering-systems Fingering Systems for Duet Concertina
by Brian Hayden
Overview of all the fingering systems for duet concertina which turned up in Hayden's review of prior art while preparing his own patent application. As published in Concertina Magazine (Australia) 16 (1986): 19-23; 17 (1987): 7-9; 18 (1987): 11-15; 19 (1987): 6-10.
Posted 15 November 2001
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chidley-duet-system The 'Duet' System, discussed by K. V. Chidley
by Kenneth V. Chidley
Review of the history of the duet concertina leading up to Chidley's own post-war "Chidley System". As published in World Accordion Review 6:3 (December 1950): 31-32. Also a differing version as reprinted with notes by Neil Wayne as K. V. Chidley, "The Duet Concertina--Its History and the Evolution of its Keyboard," Free Reed: The Concertina Newsletter 17 (Jan/Feb 1974): 15-17.
Posted 15 November 2001
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wheatstone-fingering-systems Fingering Systems of the “Wheatstone” Concertina
by C. Wheatstone & Co.
A leaflet showing the four concertina systems made by Wheatstone in the late 1950s: English, Anglo, Chidley duet, and Crane/Triumph duet. As was Wheatstone’s invariable practise, the Chidley system is called simply the “Wheatstone Duet” (as the Maccann system had also been styled previously), and there is no mention of the fact that the keyboard layout has been changed—apart from the evidence of the keyboard diagram. The printing is apparently before 1956, but this copy was issued with overstamping dating from at least 1959. Collected by Chris Algar.
Posted 15 February 2003
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Research on Concertinas

 

concertina-research-homepage Research on Concertinas
Directory
Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about the research on concertinas.
Posted 01 January 2005
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eydmann-life-and-times The Life and Times of the Concertina: the adoption and usage of a novel musical instrument with particular reference to Scotland
by Stuart Eydmann
This much-anticipated study is the first book-length account of the history and development of the concertina, in the context of the people who played it and their music. It is based on field work as well as historical research, and deals with the concertina in traditional music, art music, sacred music, band music, the music hall, and many forms of popular music—reflecting the richness, contradictions, and complexities of music and society over the more than 150 years since the invention of the concertina as the high-tech sensation of its day. Twelve chapters, bibliography of more than 400 items, over 90 figures and musical examples, 365 pages. Text of thesis for the Ph.D. degree, Open University, 1995. Supervisors: Dr Peter Cooke and Dr Richard Middleton.
Posted 15 August 2005
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eydmann-folk-music-revival The concertina as an emblem of the folk music revival in the British Isles
by Stuart Eydmann
The post-war folk and traditional music revival in the British Isles was a complex phenomenon which involved more than just the simple rediscovery and promotion of neglected music and song. The ideology of key individuals was important in determining the scope and subsequent diction of the revival including the sources of the revived repertory and how it should be re-packaged. The selection and use of appropriate musical instruments was a major issue and, for a time at least, the concertina family was endorsed by the revivalists to the extent that it could act as a symbol of the revival itself. This paper identifies and discusses the processes involved. First published in British Journal of Ethnomusicology, vol. 4 (1995), pp. 41–49.
Posted 15 August 2005
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atlas-collins-countfosco Collins, Count Fosco, and the Concertina
by Allan W. Atlas
The Victorian novelist Wilkie Collins had a very definite model in mind for Count Fosco in The Woman in White: the virtuoso concertinist Giulio Regondi. As published in Wilkie Collins Society Journal, N.S. 2 (1999) 56-61. The same article is available in PDF format reproducing the published article.
Posted 15 August 2003
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atlas-george-gissings-concertina George Gissing's Concertina
by Allan W. Atlas
Considers the ways in which the late-Victorian novelist George Gissing used the concertina as a prop in a number of novels and short stories. As published in The Journal of Musicology, XVII no. 2 (Spring 1999) 304-318.
Posted 15 September 2003
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atlas-regondi-two-letters Giulio Regondi: Two Newly Discovered Letters
by Allan W. Atlas
Although Giulio Regondi was the foremost virtuoso of the English concertina, much about his life and career remains obscure. Two previously unnoticed letters deserve our attention. As published in The Free-Reed Journal, 4 (2002) 70-84.
Posted 01 September 2003
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csfri-site Center for the Study of Free-Reed Instruments
by Allan Atlas
The CSFRI, part of the Doctoral Program in Music at the Graduate Center, City University of New York, is a resource for the scholarly study of all free-reed instruments (sheng, harmonica, accordion, etc.) and contains much of interest to concertinists. The site has news of upcoming concerts, and a listing of books, articles, recordings, and research material available at the Center's archives. CSFRI published The Free-Reed Journal (four volumes, 1999–2003), and now co-publishes the Papers of the International Concertina Association (PICA) with the ICA (2004–  ).

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Posted 15 February 2003
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carlin-fayre-four-sisters The Fayre Four Sisters: Concertina Virtuosi
by Richard Carlin
Interviews with Inga, Tina, Sylvia, and Lillian Webb, the “Fayre Four Sisters,” concertinists on the British music hall and vaudeville circuits. The sisters were daughters of Joseph Webb (JoJo of the Brothers Webb), and part of the circle including George Jones, who gave them their first concertina lessons, and of Frank Butler. As published in The Free-Reed Journal No. 3 (2001), pp 79–88.
Posted 15 January 2005
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carlin-frank-butler-an-interview Frank Butler: An Interview
by Richard Carlin
An account of Frank Butler's background and teaching methods, with some opinions on playing the concertina, based on an interview in 1975. As published in PICA No. 1 (2004), pp 24–30.
Posted 15 January 2005
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chambers-lachenal-part1 Louis Lachenal: "Engineer and Concertina Manufacturer" (Part 1)
by Stephen Chambers
Discussion of the sources of information available about Louis Lachenal, his early career and immigration to England, and his involvement with the design and manufacturing engineering of Wheatstone & Co. concertinas up to the year 1848. As published in The Free-Reed Journal, Vol. 1 (1999), pp. 7-18. There is also a scanned copy of the original publication in PDF format.
Posted 15 January 2004
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chambers-lachenal-production Some Notes on Lachenal Concertina Production and Serial Numbers
by Stephen Chambers
New evidence for the role played by Louis Lachenal in the early manufacturing history of C. Wheatstone & Co., and some points of reference to use in seeking to date Lachenal concertinas. As published in PICA [Papers of the International Concertina Association], Vol. 1 (2004), pp. 3-23. Better-quality colour photographs from the author's originals have been substituted for those originally published.
Posted 01 January 2005
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maccann-champion-of-america Professor Maccann: “America’s Champion Concertinist”
by Robert Gaskins
“PROFESSOR MACCANN, the celebrated concertinist, has brought back with him from America a fine medal, which became his property by a rival musician, Amducas Vestman, failing to meet the Professor in a concertina contest for the championship and $300. ...” From The Era newspaper, London, 2 May 1891.
Posted 01 June 2003
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maccann-in-america Prof. Maccann’s North American Tour (1890–1891)
by Robert Gaskins
Newspaper theatrical notices from the Brooklyn (New York) Daily Eagle describe John Hill Maccann’s appearances at Hyde and Behman’s Variety Theater, Brooklyn, in November 1890 and February 1891. Updated 22 December 2003: added a notice from the New York Times for 27 January 1891, during the same North American tour.
Posted 01 June 2003
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macann-in-plymouth-1880s Professor Maccann Performs in Plymouth
by Robert Gaskins
Extended review of a concert presented by Professor Maccann at the Plymouth Mechanics’ Institute “on an instrument which he has just patented,” from the Western Figaro newspaper, Plymouth, 27 February 1885.
Posted 01 July 2003
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gaskins-late-wheatstone-anglos Wheatstone Anglos with Serial Numbers 50,000+
by Robert Gaskins
Between 1938 and 1974 Wheatstone & Co. manufactured concertinas in two parallel series of serial numbers; Englishes and Duets were given numbers #3XXXX, and Anglos were given numbers #5XXXX. During these 37 years Wheatstone manufactured about 2,129 Englishes and Duets, with serial numbers from about #34955 through #37083, and some 9,498 Anglos, with serial numbers from #50001 through #59498. Yet, for unknown reasons, this vast population of late Wheatstone Anglos with #50000+ numbers are not seen nearly as often as one would expect. The original version of this article appeared on the net at concertina.net, and at Concertina FAQ.
Posted 23 June 2001
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gaskins-wicki-system The Wicki System—an 1896 Precursor of the Hayden System
by Robert Gaskins
The concertina keyboard system known today as the "Hayden" system, which was independently discovered by Brian Hayden and patented by him in 1986, had also been discovered and patented 90 years earlier by a Swiss inventor named Kaspar Wicki. Wicki's 1896 Swiss patent (CH13329) is clear and unambiguous, including a keyboard diagram labeled in standard musical notation.
Posted 01 March 2004
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inglis-history-of-duet History of the Duet Concertina
by Phil Inglis
When it was written, this was the only survey article on the subject, plus some anecdotes. The last twenty years have produced some additional information. As published in Concertina Magazine (Australia), 12 (Autumn, 1985): 18-19, 13 (Winter, 1985): 18-20, 14 (Spring 1985): 11-13.
Posted 15 February 2003
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lawrence-regondi-in-ireland Giulio Regondi in Ireland
by Thomas Lawrence
New information about Giulio Regondi, guitarist and concertinist, who performed on Wheatstone’s patent concertina in Ireland as early as 1834, the earliest reference to the concertina in the British Isles. In PaGes [University College, Dublin, postgraduate students in the Faculty of Arts] 6 (1999), on the web at http://www.ucd.ie/pages/99/articles/lawrence.pdf.
Posted 15 August 2003
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merris-back-to-future Back to the Future: De Ville’s The Concertina and How to Play It and Other Tutors
by Randall C. Merris
Paul de Ville's tutor (1905) is one of the most widely available sources of basic instruction and tunes for the Anglo concertina. It has links to both earlier and later periods; most of its tunes and other material were taken from earlier publications, and most of its contents reappeared seventy years later in a tutor which is still available for purchase.
Posted 15 February 2003
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merris-bibliography Instruction Manuals for the English, Anglo, and Duet Concertina: An Annotated Bibliography
by Randall C. Merris
A comprehensive bibliography with more than 200 citations for concertina tutors that were published from the 1840s to the present. Separate sections deal with English, Anglo, and Duet tutors. The annotations contain considerable historical material on concertina makers, authors and teachers, performers, and publishers in the UK, US, and elsewhere. The web version incorporates citations for tutors that have appeared or were located subsequent to the original publication (about 35 more by 2005) and adds over 100 scanned photographs of tutor covers. A number of the tutors are available scanned in full on this website, and these are indicated in the entries. The original publication was in The Free-Reed Journal 4 (2002): 85-118, and a PDF version of the printed article is also available online.
Posted 01 April 2003; last updated 31 August 2005
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» read Part 1, "English Concertina"
» read part 2, "Anglo Concertina"
» read part 3, "Duet Concertina"
» read original article (without updates) in pdf"
concertina-connection-site Concertina Connection
by Wim Wakker
With the goal of reintroducing the English concertina into classical music, this site features articles on playing skills (beginner to advanced) with music scores, sound files, and photographs. The site offers new Geuns-Wakker concertinas and restored vintage instruments, extensive restoration services and replacement parts, and re-published Victorian and contemporary sheet music. There are a number of MP3 sound files of older Wheatstone and Lachenal concertinas.

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Posted 15 November 2001
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gaskins-twelve-sided-wheatstone A Wheatstone Twelve-Sided 'Edeophone' Concertina with Pre-Maccann Chromatic Duet Fingering
by Neil Wayne, Margaret Birley, and Robert Gaskins
A duet concertina (serial no. 35074) with a unique fingering arrangement, made by Wheatstone in 1938, turns out to be a realization of a design from Wm. Wheatstone's patent of 1861. The instrument is twelve-sided, a Registered Design feature of Lachenal & Co., and it turns out to be one of at least sixteen twelve-sided instruments made by Wheatstone between 1934 and 1941. The instrument is now in the collection of the Horniman Museum, London. As published in The Free-Reed Journal 3 (2001): 3-17. This HTML version of the article adds a number of additional photographs and active links to many of the sources cited in the published article. Updated 15 August 2003: Footnote 11 updated to record that Randall C. Merris has located instrument serial #33301, another of the set of three twelve-sided 40-key Anglos.
Posted 15 November 2001; last updated 15 August 2003
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conduit-street-regent-street-london
Map showing Conduit Street,
Regent Street, London, c. 1900