A taste of the past - The Hornpipe

An interesting rendition that gives a taste of the past

Okay, I am now going to demonstrate how to be boring and irrelevant in one post...

The instrument shown is the Anglo chromatic version of the Concertina, an instrument developed by Charles Wheatstone (he of Wheatstone's Bridge) around 1830. There were other variations, the "English", and three types of "Duet". Wheatstone started to manufacture his invention, and employed a workshop manager named Louis Lachanel, who went on to form his own company, and ended up making many more instruments than his previous employer. At the time when concertinas were at their height of popularity, many millions (yes millions) were in use. They are still being made (and played) today, with Wheatstone instruments being available, as well as many other makes. Compact and reasonably reliable, the steel reed versions stay in tune well, although are inclined to rust; brass reed are softer, less stable, but better for shipboard use. Anyone who can play a harmonica can usually adapt to an Anglo, which is a fun instrument to play.

Thanks for this post, Astrodene, it brought back a lot of memories.

(Is there anyone out there still awake?)

Not boring at all, Borrelpeff. I am fascinated by arcane information, of which you are a fount! Concertinas have no place in my past, so let me encourage you to share some of those memories!