Concertinas vs Accordions - intro image - someone playing an accordion

Concertinas vs Accordions – A Quick Comparison of Differences

There is unique beauty when it comes to the concertina and the accordion. Both of these instruments have bellows and produce beautiful tones. However, there are many differences between these instruments that you need to know if you want to pursue playing one of them.

The concertina and accordion differ in cost, shape, and play style. The concertina typically costs $1,500, while the accordion only costs around $500. Concertinas are a hexagon shape and have buttons on the side, while accordions have piano-like keys.

This statement covers the absolute basics of these instruments. Yet, there are many additional details that you need to know before you invest. I will go over what each of these instruments is, what makes them unique, and a simple comparison of both instruments.

What is a Concertina?

A concertina is a free reed instrument that was first created in 1829. It was a popular instrument around England at the time. It is usually found in a beautiful hexagon shape but sometimes is shaped like a rectangle. There are buttons on both sides of the instrument.

The concertina is the least popular of the two musical instruments. It’s more common in both Ireland and England, making it less popular in the United States. While the bellows are in the center, it still uses the same pulling action as accordion instruments.

The concertina is also known to be small and light compared to the accordion. You can see people holding it easily on their knees. The concertina is built with leather straps on the side that you slide your hands into.

These straps are on both sides of the instrument. This allows your fingers to press buttons and open the air valve without worrying about dropping the instrument. A concertina can have anywhere from five to 35 buttons on each side, depending on the make and model of the concertina you own.

Another important thing to know about concertinas is their higher range and softer tone compared to other free-reed instruments. The range is caused by the fact that there are fewer buttons on a concertina than on different instruments, and the size limits the sound possibilities. They are typically used to play tango and polka music, but you can be creative and use it to play almost any type of music.

Types of Concertinas

  • English Concertinas are the original concertina that debuted in the 1820s. Four rows of keys are on each side, letting you play through a wide range of tones.
  • Anglo Concertinas have ten keys (five on each side) and originate from Germany. The keys are positioned so you can hold the instrument up with your playing hands.
  • Dual Concertinas have lower notes on one side of the instrument and higher notes on the other. This is also known as a duet concertina, and the key placement makes it one of the more complicated models.

What is an Accordion?

The accordion, lovingly known as the squeeze box, is known for being rectangular and having a keyboard attached to each side.

It’s made of two reed organs, much heavier than other instruments. It’s also quite large. Some are so large that you need to sit down to play them. There is a backstrap to help you maintain balance and control over the instrument.

The accordion has a beautiful, rich sound. The music this instrument creates is very versatile and easily identifiable. It is known for playing and being a part of many more genres of music than just tango and polka.

You can find accordions playing pop, jazz, Cajun, classical, and folk music. The way this instrument is built makes it so it sustains notes for much longer and is louder than other instruments.

Types of Accordions

  • Piano accordions have piano keys on one side of the keyboard. It functions like an unusual organ, forcing air through the “pipes” (bellows) and changing notes through the push-and-pull action.
  • Button accordions are those with buttons instead of piano keys on the instrument. They come into forms: diatonic and chromatic.
  • Diatonic accordions have a melody-side button keyboard with multiple rows that follow the diatonic scale. One side contains the fundamental chord, while the other has a major or minor triad.
  • Chromatic accordions also have accordion buttons but follow the chromatic scale. There are three to five rows of treble buttons and two extra rows for different options in fingering. The chromatic scale has more range and is more complex.

What are the Similarities Between Concertinas and Accordions

A concertina and the accordion are both free-reed instruments. This means that the music both produce is made by pushing air across a reed.

Neither instrument requires breathing into it to move air across the reed. Instead, you must squeeze the bellows to force air through the instrument.

That is where the similarities end, and the differences begin.

Accordion vs Concertina: Seven Differences

The main differences between an accordion and a concertina include cost, the kinds of sounds they produce, how difficult they are to play, availability on the market, and popularity.

1. Cost

A concertina is much more expensive than an accordion. The concertina typically costs at least $1,500 but can get as expensive as $2,000. This is because concertina makers need to be extremely precise.

Accordions cost $500-$600 on average, making them much more affordable for the average household.

2. Size of Musical Instrument

Concertinas are small, so the parts inside must be smaller than the ones on other instruments. They all have to work together to produce noise without breaking or bending.

Accordions, by comparison, are much larger. They have to be held up using straps around the shoulders. By comparison, concertinas use straps around the hands.

2. Difficulty to Play

Concertinas are easier to play than accordions because they are smaller, lighter, and have fewer buttons. It’s also a C/G instrument, meaning you won’t need to transpose most music to make it sound right. The number of buttons on a concertina dictates whether or not you can play it chromatically.

4. Range of Music

Accordions have the upper hand in music because you can play in whatever key you need, as they usually have a wider range. The piano key structure and the number of buttons allow you to play many notes.

Accordions can play modern music and music outside of C major without difficulty. Certain chords can be played on an accordion but not a concertina.

5. Fragility and Repair Difficulty

Concertinas are known for being more fragile and easier to break than other instruments. It requires consistent maintenance to keep the strings and other pieces from breaking.

Concertinas are typically produced in Italy and China, making it hard to purchase a concertina from a local store. Finding replacement parts will also be more challenging. Few places know how to fix a concertina. You might have to ship it across state or country lines if it breaks.

Accordions are much more common. Many people have them in their music stores, and finding a repair shop that can fix an accordion is relatively easy.

6. Popularity

The accordion is a much more popular instrument. In popular media, a few different stars, like Weird Al, Lady Gaga, and Snoop Dog, play the accordion.

7. Your Preferences

The instrument that will be best for you will vary depending on your preferences, budget, and how dedicated you are to learning how to play the accordion or concertina.

Pick an instrument you are passionate about. If you want to play Irish music or polka, either will do. But, if you want to get more creative, pick whatever instrument that speaks to you. The sound will be most important here.

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