Concertina

Concertina, a musical instrument invented in 1829 by Sir Charles Wheatstone, the sounds of which are produced by free vibrating reeds of metal, as in the accordion. The scale of the concertina is very complete and extensive, beginning with the lowest note of the violin, G, and ascending chromatically for four octaves. Violin, flute, and oboe music can be performed on the concertina with good effect, and it has an extensive repertoire of music specially written for itself. Every sound in the scale is double, and can be produced either by pulling the bellows open, or by pressing them together. Concertinas are now made in France and Germany, but not so perfectly as in England. The keys in the German concertina are constructed on the same principle as those in the accordion, which play one note when the bellows are expanded, and another when contracted.