We now offer introductory lessons for Piano (Teclas) Accordion, Chemnitzer Concertina, Bandonion in both German (Einheits) and Argentine (Rheinishe) configuration! We will also offer lessons for English and Anglo Concertina.
Piano Accordion:
The industry standard is Palmer-Hughes, however given the level of experience, alternative books and methods can also be used to expand current musical skill.
Also known as Accordeon, Acordeon, Teclas, and, “Accordian”
*NOTE: It is best to use books designed specifically for accordion. While the keyboard is the same as a piano, the technique with bass and bellows differ, the latter determining the sound vs how keys are depressed.
Chemnitzer Concertina:
This style of Konzertina is a diatonic variant of the bandonion, as the button-box is the chromatic accordion. Most popular in the American Midwestern states of Minnesota, Illinois, and of course Wisconsin, it is recommended to start with an instrument in the key of, “C” when learning.
These boxes are primarily play-by-ear as typical of diatonic instruments, however there is sheet music available in a unique numeric notation, and several books to introduce the player to the Chemnitzer. Transposition of this music is not necessary with instruments available in different keys
Bandonion (Einheits)
The, “Standard” bandonion was a result of several variants of konzertina and bandonion keyboard systems being unified into a 144-key in the 1920s. It is something of an extended Chemnitzer, but with several buttons placed in slightly different places. Antique instruments with the grille reading, “bandonion” are going to be Einheits but with less keys. They can be played by ear like a Chemnitzer, or they can read the numeric notation.
*NOTE: this is NOT the bandonion used in Argentine tango; this instrument is suited for a wider variety of music, however it can play tango music just like an accordion. The buttons and reeds are different in these instruments, which prohibit it from playing the mellow sound distinct in tango.
Bandoneon (Rheinische)
This is the famous instrument most prominently used in tango. With 142 voices and a deeper, octave-tuned Low-Middle sound, these instrument are suitable for a variety of music.
*NOTE: Please reach out when looking at a potential instrument, it is easy to make a mistake as a newer player.
Concertina (English)
Also known as a, “Wheatstone”, this concertina is chromatic and unisonoric. Originally an instrument for the elite, this little guy can play anything from classical to sea shanties.
Concertina (Anglo)
The most universally popular style of concertina is the Anglo. These are diatonic instruments, and fall into the play-by-ear category. The two configurations for three-row include Wheatstone and Jeffries, the latter being the most popular and prevalent in Irish music.
