Concertina

A concertina is a portable musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, invented in England and Germany during the early to mid 19th century. It features a hexagonal shape with button keys arranged on either end, allowing for both push and pull sounds as the bellows expand and contract. Unlike the accordion, the concertina generally has separate buttons for each note and can be a highly expressive instrument, often used in folk music, traditional music, sea shanties, and some classical compositions. It produces sound by forcing air past the reeds to create a tone which is usually in a button system that can be either Wheatstone or Crane.

Concertina meaning with examples

• The travelling musician's concertina filled the cobbled square with a lively tune, the bellows expanding and contracting in a rhythmic dance. His rapid fingerwork on the buttons, combined with the push and pull, created an infectious melody that had the crowd tapping their feet. This type of instrument is perfect for playing sea shanties and Irish ballads.
• She carefully packed her concertina, knowing the instrument's delicate reeds needed protection. Years of playing had honed her skills, and she eagerly anticipated the folk music session. It can create some brilliant music with many varied musical styles.
• The composer incorporated the distinctive sound of the concertina into his new piece, aiming to evoke a nostalgic atmosphere. He worked with the musician who played the concertina to make sure his music created a wonderful blend.
• He spent hours mastering the complex button layout of his concertina, striving to play the classical piece. Practicing the push and pull sounds takes a long time to get right.