Item Type: Concertina
Fingering SystemFingering System: English Fingering System Site Links: www.concertina.com/english Key/Buttons Summary: 44 Ivory keys, (22/Left and 22/right) completing the progression from the 24-key 'Symphonium' layout to the "Standard" 48-Key layout. The accidentals keys are stained black (not 'cored' as in many earlier models) and the natural notes stamped with note-names. The base of each key is turned into a peg that inserts into the Action Board, a move finally away from the use of added brass pins as on many previous models. Its white-keys are also stamped on their flat tops with their note names, except the 'C' Notes, whch are stained red - the appearance of this style is now standard. This practice was adopted to help guide and direct the amateur musicians (who were beginning to take up the fashionable new instrument in ever greater numbers) to locate and play the correct notes. Throughout the nineteenth century, note names appear on the white keys upon the vast majority of Wheatstone concertinas with ivory keys, with the substitution of red-stained keys for the 'C' keys on instruments from about No. 230 onwards. Keys/Buttons Material: Ivory, with accidental keys stained black, and Cs stained red Keys/Buttons Labelling: Natural notes have note-names stamped on their flat ends Keys/Buttons Bushing: No Keys/Buttons Base Mounting: The base of each key is turned into a peg that inserts into the Action Board, a permanent move away from the use of added brass pins on early models Air Button method: No air button, but a central irregular hole in the action board, amidst the keys, leading to a central hole in the reed-pan; this hole has a large leather valve-flap on the inner face of each pan, supported by an ebony strut across each pan-hole. |
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Created August 2009 by Neil Wayne
Last Modified 07 February 2012 by Neil Wayne, Chris Flint, Wes Williams
This page created Tuesday 14 February 2012.