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A brief introduction to
Bandoneons & Chemnitzer Concertinas


This page is meant merely as a general overview of these concertinas. For more detailed information, please follow the links given at the end.

The large boxy Chemnitzer concertina aka "Polka Box", or its close cousin, the Bandoneon aka "Tango Concertina", the traditional instrument used for Argentinian tangos and related music, are also called "concertinas" although they have more in common with accordions than they do with the smaller hexagonal or octagonal English, Anglo or Duet concertinas, at least as far as their construction and reed type. However, they are true concertinas, distinguished from accordions by having no chord buttons, and by having the button travel parallel to the plane of the bellows travel. Most are bisonoric - like a harmonica, playing a different note pushing from pulling, but some are unisonoric - like a melodica or piano accordion. Student instruments generally have only 2 reeds ("double"). When they have 3 reeds they are called "triple" and 4 reeded models are called "quad". Triple and Quad reeds are common in polka and tango bands, whereas they are virtually unknown in the other, smaller types of concertina more familiar to players of British Isles folk music.

Chemnitzers are quite popular in the American Midwest, especially around the Great Lakes region, where they are commonly referred to simply as "concertinas". They are not very well known elsewhere in the USA, and many Midwestern concertina players seem unaware that there are other, much smaller instruments with completely different keyboard layouts also called "concertinas".

Here's a picture of Steve Litwin, Polka Editor & Associate Editor of the Polish American Journal, Steve Litwinplaying his Star Chemnitzer concertina. Steve runs an annual Fourth of July polka box bash called the Concertina Jam. The Star Concertina Corporation, in the Chicago area, is one of the most famous of the Chemnitzer manufacturers. They are also one of the best places to go for repairs and parts for these old polka boxes. However, for English made or vintage Anglo or English concertinas, go to a specialist.

Peter Adler, AKA "Bandoneon Slim" maintains a wonderful mailing list for Bandoneon enthusiasts. Bandoneons aren't quite as regional a phenomenon in the US, although activity does seem to be centered in large urban areas on the two coasts, especially in New York City and San Francisco. One would expect to find bandoneon use closely related to Argentinian immigration.

Both Bandoneons and Chemnitzers feature a variety of possible voicings, button arrangements, and fingering systems, with Bandoneons generally having more buttons. Prices tend to be very high for instruments in good condition, and Bandoneons in particular are very hard to find in this country, as they are not made here, and nearly all the high-end used ones are already in the hands of players. In the U.S., it seems you should be prepared to pay at least a grand for a playable used model to learn on.

More Relevant Links:

  • Concertina FAQ
  • Detailed pictures and description of an Arno Arnold Chemnitzer
  • DeJean's Bandoneon Links
  • The Bandoneon Page


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