How to Play the Concertina Accordion
The concertina accordion, or concertina, is an instrument with bellows and reeds similar to the piano accordion. Unlike the piano accordion, however, it does not include a keyboard. It is also much smaller than a piano accordion, making it the perfect portable instrument to bring to your next bonfire sing-along or acoustic jam session.
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Instructions
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Find a concertina. You can purchase one for $100 to $200 and up, depending on quality and features. If you're not sure you want to commit to buying a concertina, your local music shop might have rentals available. Concertinas can be found used for cheap, but be wary of repair problems such as broken reeds, which can add to the total cost.
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Find sheet music and chord configurations. Learning materials, tutorials, and general information can be found extensively on websites such as concertina.net and concertina.com. Look for the most basic sheet music available; you'll want to start slow as you learn the instrument.
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Experiment with working the bellows of the concertina. Remember to always depress at least one key as you open the concertina. Most concertinas include an air button that will allow you to open and close the bellows silently. Don't worry about making cohesive music yet. Just depress different notes and get a good feel for the action of the bellows and the sounds you can create.
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Learn to play basic scales, such as C and G major. It is advisable to do this near a piano or keyboard, so you can check the scale on the keyboard to correct any mistakes you might be making with the concertina. Scales are the foundation for chords, which you can learn later. Be patient. Try to master at least a few scales. Remember that progressing with the concertina might be more difficult for you than learning other instruments, due the button interface.
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Familiarize yourself with some basic chord progressions, and try playing some of the sheet music you've found online. If you know a guitar player, ask him or her to play the chord progressions you've mastered, and try playing along. This will help your rhythm and timing. Next, try playing single notes along to the guitar's strumming. Experiment with various rhythms and melodies. Now you're playing a concertina solo.
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Tips & Warnings
Set your budget before purchasing a concertina. A starter instrument should cost less than $200. If your music store has a variety of concertinas, ask a clerk to demonstrate a few of them for you. You might find that even the cheapest model is enough to get started.
Keep your concertina in a hard shell case. This will prevent scratches an accidental bellow openings.
