Caroline Keane

Concertina music centers around the concertina, a free-reed musical instrument in the bellows-driven family, distinct from the accordion by its smaller size and button layout parallel to the bellows movement. The genre encompasses a variety of styles depending on the specific type of instrument used: the 'English' concertina (chromatic and unisonoric) is often associated with Victorian parlor music and classical repertoire, while the 'Anglo' concertina (diatonic and bisonoric) is a staple of traditional Irish, English, and South African folk music. Characterized by its bright, piercing, yet warm tone, concertina music often features intricate melodic ornamentation, rhythmic drive for dances like jigs and reels, and rich harmonic accompaniment in song traditions. It is frequently a solo instrument but also thrives in ensembles, particularly in céilí bands and folk groups.