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Squeeze that 'tina.

© Ray Chandler

When English engineer Charles Wheatstone invented the concertina in 1828 it wasn't folk music he had in mind for it. He thought his fully chromatic instrument would be ideal for the popular classics and parlour music of the day.

And many thousands of people agreed with him - the instrument became immensely popular and was a common household item. Families often had several, including bass, baritone, tenor and soprano versions as well the standard treble or tenor-treble.

The piano gradually took over as the common domestic instrument, and many thousands of concertinas were consigned to dusty attics or simply discarded as worthless items.

Different story now! Even tatty examples of those old cast-offs are being snapped up and attract big money if in reasonable condition or well restored. And the few makers of good new concertinas can't meet current demand. Waiting lists of several years are reported for the most respected modern makes.

The concertina's revival is almost entirely due to its growing popularity in folk music. Although there's some interest for other musical forms - welcome for stretching the capabilities of the instrument and its players - it's in the folk idiom that the main growth has taken part.

All the main systems of concertina are enjoying revival. The original Wheatstone invention, known as the English, is used for the widest range of music and in skilled hands is capable of complex contrapuntal playing and virtually limitless chords.

The entirely different Anglo system, developed to provide a concertina-sounding second instrument for melodeon players, is preferred in Ireland and some parts of mainland Europe.

Popularity of these two predominant systems varies regionally, even within specific musical traditions. For Morris dancing, for example, the English system is more popular in the north of England whereas the Anglo is often preferred in the South.

A hybrid system called the Duet, which sub-divides into several versions, is far less common but still currently enjoys considerable growth.

Whatever the fingering system, the concertina is firmly established as a favourite folk instrument for solo tune-playing, ensemble playing and song accompaniment, and playing standards are continually reaching new heights. Among the fine players recording today, perhaps the most respected are Noel Hill on the Anglo and Dave Townsend on the English.

The International Concertina Association does a grand job providing information, encouraging workshops and other activities and generally promoting the instrument in all its forms. Its website is currently incomplete but has background info and useful links, http://www.concertina.org.uk.

The copyright of the article Squeeze that 'tina. in Folk Music is owned by Paula Kirman. Permission to republish Squeeze that 'tina. in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.