Last updated 22 December 2003
Cumulative entries to last date: 149
What’s New Archives
for the Concertina Library, 2003
Directory
22 December 2003
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Signor Alsepti and “Regondi’s Golden Exercise”
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by Allan Atlas
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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.
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Posted 22 December 2003
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» read full article
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Improvements in Concertinas (1885)
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by James Alsepti and Richard Ballinger
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British Patent No. 8290 of 1885, Provisional Specification (08 July 1885)
and Complete Specification (08 April 1886) with two figures. 5 pages.
The “bowing valve” patent. These valves were for
English concertinas, providing a feature not present in the Wheatstone
designs, and were promoted by Lachenal.
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Posted 22 December 2003
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» read full article in pdf
01 October 2003
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Contemplating the Concertina: An Historically-Informed Tutor for the English Concertina
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by Allan Atlas
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This is the first tutor
for the English concertina intended specifically for
intermediate and advanced players. It is written with an eye toward both the
history of the instrument and how it has been played since Victorian times.
Examples and exercises include music—both “classical” and
“folk”—from the seventeenth century to the present day.
Chapters deal with holding the instrument (with illustrations), manipulating the bellows (the
most extensive discussion in print), single-note technique, and playing chords
and contrapuntal textures.
Published by The Button Box,
Amherst, Massachusetts, from whom it can be ordered over the web.
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Posted 01 October 2003
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» go to website
15 September 2003
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Center for the Study of Free-Reed Instruments
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by Allan Atlas
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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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» go to website
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Professor Maccann: “America’s Champion Concertinist”
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by Robert Gaskins
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“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.
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Posted 01 June 2003
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» read full article
01 September 2003
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Arrangements of Notes on Musical Instruments (1986)
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by Brian Hayden
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British Patent No. GB2131592, 1986. 14 figures, 17 pages. This was an
independent re-discovery of the system
that had been patented by Kaspar Wicki ninety years earlier.
"Various arrangements of touches on Musical Keyboards
previously evolved are detailed … . The present invention
places notes on musical instruments along several adjacent
paths … . Keyboards for Organs, Accordions, and in
particular Concertinas are described in greater detail … ."
[from the Application].
Date Filed: 02.12.1982;
Patent Granted with effect from 20.08.1986;
Date of Last Renewal: 29.11.1989;
Date Not in Force: 02.12.1990;
Patent Ceased on 02.12.1990.
[Patents Register Entry, UK Patent Office]
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Posted 01 September 2003
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» read full document in pdf
15 August 2003
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Giulio Regondi in Ireland
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by Thomas Lawrence
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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.
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Posted 15 August 2003
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» go to website
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All-Systems Duet Workshop Tutor
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by Brian Hayden
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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.
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Posted 15 August 2003
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» read full document in pdf
01 July 2003
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Professor Maccann Performs in Plymouth
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by Robert Gaskins
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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.
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Posted 01 July 2003
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» read full article
15 June 2003
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Memoirs of a Concertina-Playing Man: Reuben Shaw
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as told to Phil Hopkinson, with an introduction by David Cornell
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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.
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Posted 15 June 2003
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» read full article in pdf
01 June 2003
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Prof. Maccann’s North American Tour (1890–1891)
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by Robert Gaskins
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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.
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Posted 01 June 2003
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» read full article
15 May 2003
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Stanley Manuscript Maccann Duet Tutor
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by Henry Stanley
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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.
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Posted 15 May 2003
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» read full document in pdf
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Wheatstone Concertina Pricelists
- collected by Chris Algar
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A large collection of pricelists issued by C. Wheatstone & Co., mostly found
in old concertina cases without further identification. From internal evidence it is
possible to date the lists c. 1915 to c. 1965 (plus one very early pricelist dated 1848,
from the collection of the Horniman Museum, and a list published as an advertisement
in a trade directory in 1859). These lists contain information about Wheatstone
model numbers and descriptions which are useful to interpret the Wheatstone Concertina Ledgers.
- Posted 15 May 2003
- » go to directory
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Wheatstone English Concertina Pricelists
- collected by Chris Algar
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Most of these pricelists were found in old concertina cases. From internal evidence it is
possible to date the lists c. 1915 to c. 1965 (plus one very early pricelist dated 1848,
from the collection of the Horniman Museum, and a list published as an advertisement
in a trade directory in 1859). These lists contain information about Wheatstone
model numbers and descriptions which are useful to interpret the Wheatstone Concertina Ledgers.
See also Duet pricelists from Wheatstone.
See also Anglo pricelists from Wheatstone.
- Posted 15 May 2003
- » go to directory
15 April 2003
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Wheatstone Concertina Ledgers on the Web
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by the Horniman Museum
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Historical business records from C. Wheatstone & Co. are held at the
Library of the Horniman Museum in London. The earliest ledgers from the Wayne Archives
contain company sales records from the late 1830s to the 1860s (though with some
large gaps) 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, again with some gaps. All known ledgers
have been digitized (some 2,300 pages in total) and made available free on this website for
private research.
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Posted 15 April 2003; Updated 15 June 2005
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» go to website
01 April 2003
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Instruction Manuals for the English, Anglo, and Duet Concertina: An Annotated Bibliography
- by Randall C. Merris
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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
- » read full article
- » read Part 1, "English Concertina"
- » read part 2, "Anglo Concertina"
- » read part 3, "Duet Concertina"
- » read original article (without updates) in pdf"
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The Button Box
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by Richard Morse
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The Button Box is a comprehensive dealer, and a leading
source in the USA for new concertinas (especially its own R. Morse
“Albion” English and “Céilí”
Anglo) and vintage instruments, plus books, CDs, videos, and accessories.
Services include rentals, purchases, consignments, and appraisals.
The Button Box workshop is widely trusted to handle
the restoration and repair of fine old concertinas.
Organizers of the annual Northeast Squeeze-In Festival.
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Posted 01 April 2003
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» go to website
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DoN. Nichols’s Home Page
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by DoN Nichols
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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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» go to website
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International Concertina Association
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by ICA
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The ICA was founded fifty years ago as a club for Duet and English
concertina players meeting in London. Over the years it has taken
in members from throughout the UK including Anglo players, and
more recently has used the internet to become at last as international as its name.
The site includes lists of the ICA’s music library
and document archive, from which copies are available to members only. New members
are very welcome from any part of the world!
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Posted 01 April 2003
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» go to website
15 February 2003
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New Method of Instructions for the New Chromatic Duet English Concertina ... &c.
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by John Hill Maccann
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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.
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Posted 15 February 2003; last updated 01 July 2003
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» (1st ed.) read full document in pdf
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» (4th ed.) read full document in pdf
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Wheatstone Duet Concertina Pricelists
- collected by Chris Algar
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Most of these pricelists were found in old concertina cases. From internal evidence it is
possible to date the lists c. 1910 to c. 1965 (plus one very early pricelist for Double duets c. 1850).
These lists contain information about Wheatstone
model numbers and descriptions which are useful to interpret the Wheatstone Concertina Ledgers.
See also English pricelists from Wheatstone.
See also Anglo pricelists from Wheatstone.
- Posted 15 February 2003
- » go to directory
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Wheatstone Duet Pricelist circa 1936
- collected by Chris Algar
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Wheatstone & Co. list of models and prices for Duet concertinas.
Dated c. 1936 by internal evidence.
(A modified copy of the c. 1934 pricelist, including
mention of the incorporation of Lachenal & Co.)
- Posted 15 February 2003
-
» read full document in pdf
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Wheatstone Anglo Concertina Pricelists
- collected by Chris Algar
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Most of these pricelists were found in old concertina cases. From internal evidence it is
possible to date the lists c. 1910 to c. 1965. These lists contain information about Wheatstone
model numbers and descriptions which are useful to interpret the Wheatstone Concertina Ledgers.
See also English pricelists from Wheatstone.
See also Duet pricelists from Wheatstone.
- Posted 15 February 2003
- » go to directory
-
Maccann Duet Chords Tutor Manuscript
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from Robert Gaskins
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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.
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Posted 15 February 2003
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» read full document in pdf
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Photographs of Jeffries Maccann Duet Concertina, serial No. 6
- by Robert Gaskins
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Photographic documentation of a Jeffries Maccann Duet, serial No. 6, 57 keys, c. 1915.
Marked on the right with an oval engraved C. Jeffries Maker, 23 Praed St. Raised
metal ends, some construction details in common with Jeffries anglos such as linear
reed chambers. Its matching manuscript chords tutor is also reproduced on this website.
54 photographs.
- Posted 15 February 2003
- » read full article
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Back to the Future: De Ville’s The Concertina and How to Play It
and Other Tutors
- by Randall C. Merris
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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
- » read full article
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A Chat with Brian Hayden
- by Wes Williams
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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
- » read full article
- » read full article in pdf
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Instructions for the Double Concertina
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by Joseph Warren (C. Wheatstone & Co.)
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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.
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Posted 15 February 2003
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» read full document in pdf
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Instructions for Performing on Wheatstone's Patent Duett Concertina
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by Anonymous (C. Wheatstone & Co.)
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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.
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Posted 15 February 2003
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» read full document in pdf
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Early Advertisement for the Duett Concertina (1856)
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by C. Wheatstone & Co.
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An early London advertisement for the Duett system duet concertina.
Daily News (London), No. 3064, Thursday, 13 March, 1856, page 1, column 5 (entire page).
“The Patent Duet Concertina, £1 11s. 6d, and £2 2s., with
mahogany box. This novel instrument comprises two separate concertinas
connected to play duets or melodies with an accompaniment. It is also
admirably suited to the voice, and combines results not to be obtained
in any instrument of the description. Tutor and seven books of airs for
ditto, 2s. each. Inventors, WHEATSTONE & Co., patentees of the
concertina, as used by the most celebrated performers at the public
concerts, 20, Conduit-street, Regent-street.”
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Posted 15 February 2003
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» read full document in pdf
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Crane's Patent English Combination Concertina Tutor
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by H. Wilston-Bulstrode
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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.”
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Posted 15 February 2003
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» read full document in pdf
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Improvements in English Concertinas (1896)
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by John Butterworth
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British Patent No. 21,730, Provisional Specification,
(28 September 1896), and Complete Specification (29 June 1897), with
two figures. 3 pages.
The patent describing the “Crane” (or “Triumph”) duet concertina system.
Crane & Sons Ltd. were large musical instrument manufacturers in Liverpool.
The system was adopted by the Salvation Army under the name “Triumph” from 1912, and eventually
Wheatstone was claiming it was because of “the disposition of the keys being more suited
to the playing of sacred music”.
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Posted 15 February 2003
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» read full article
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Jeffries Manuscript “Tutor” for Jeffries System Duet
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by Anonymous (Jeffries Bros.?)
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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.
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Posted 15 February 2003
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» read full document in pdf
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A Jeffries Duet—Interesting Instruments
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by Polly Clapp
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“The initial response of anybody picking up a Jeffries Duet for
the first time, or indeed looking at a keyboard diagram, is bewilderment
that anyone could ever learn to play such a system. There seems to be
no obvious logic, unlike the other duet systems, and the keyboard is often
likened to a typewriter! However, astute anglo players will soon
realise that there are similarities betwen the Jeffries Duet and the
Anglo.” [From the article.]
As published in Concertina Magazine (Australia), 12 (Autumn 1985), pp 2-4.
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Posted 15 February 2003
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» read full article in pdf
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History of the Duet Concertina
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by Phil Inglis
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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.
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Posted 15 February 2003
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» read full article in pdf
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The Hayden System
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by Brian Hayden
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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.
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Posted 15 February 2003
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» read full article in pdf
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Fingering Systems of the “Wheatstone” Concertina
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by C. Wheatstone & Co.
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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.
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Posted 15 February 2003
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» read full document in pdf
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Concertina Tutor List
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by Lachenal & Co.
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A single page from Lachenal & Co. including
“Instruction Book for the Duet Concertina, by Professor Maccann”
offered at 2 shillings.
Collected by Chris Algar.
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Posted 15 February 2003
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» read entire document in pdf
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Concertina Cases: New is Often Better
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by Randall C. Merris
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Praise abounds for vintage concertinas—e.g., Wheatstones, Jeffries, Crabbs,
and the best-grade Lachenals and Jones—but does not extend to their cases.
At best, the vintage case may be impractical. At worst, it may have negative value,
because improper use may damage the concertina inside.
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Posted 15 February 2003
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» go to website
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A Timeline of Snippets of Concertina History
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by Wes Williams
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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.
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Posted 15 February 2003
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» go to website
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The Concertina History Resource
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by Wes Williams
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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.
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-
Posted 15 February 2003
-
» go to website
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C. Wheatstone & Co.
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by Steve Dickinson
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Professor Sir Charles Wheatstone’s original
patent concertina manufactory, still in business and on the web.
After many difficulties following World War II, the business was bought
in 1975 by Steve Dickinson, who succeeded in
restoring its pre-war reputation for making the finest-quality instruments.
The site lists the current prices for Duets, Englishes, and Anglos, but potential purchasers
also need to inquire about the waiting list—recently several years long.
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-
Posted 15 February 2003
-
» go to website
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Horniman Museum
-
the Horniman Museum
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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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» go to website
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The Hayden Duet System Concertina—Resource List
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by Ken Coles
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Information and reviews of currently-available Hayden
Duet concertinas, particularly those made by Wheatstone & Co. in
England, the Button Box in Massachusetts, and new Hayden designs
being imported from Russian makers.
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Posted 15 February 2003
-
» go to website
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Reprinted from the Concertina Library
http://www.concertina.com
© Copyright 2000– by Robert Gaskins
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