I currently play a 30 button Wheatstone Anglo. I try classical music, but find it difficult, especially with chords. So, I’m considering saving for 40 buttons. Is Wheatstone or Jeffries better for classical music playing? To be clear, I’m not referring to the different reed layouts (not old instruments) and whether one fits better under the fingers.

Choose between Jeffries & Wheatstone

Although I don’t have much experience with other instruments, I do have a Jeffries duet as well as a Wheatstone JD. I play a wide range of music at I would say an intermediate/improving level. I play classical music and the Wheatstone is my preferred instrument. It has a clearer sound than the Jeffries. It would depend on what piece it is though. Consider the oboe instead of French horn. The Wheatstone can also be chromatic to the cello Bb, which is advantageous. While the Jeffries is only chromatic to low G, I’m sure you’re still referring to anglos.

Advantage of the 30 Button Wheatstone Layout

Anglo players are my primary interest, but I occasionally play classical music on both the 30- and 40-button Wheatstone-layouts. The 30-button Wheatstone layout has a major advantage: it is fully chromatic, from A3 through G6, i.e. It covers the same range as a triple English. The G3 covers almost the exact same range, except for the G# and the additional below. As far as I know, the chromatic range for Jeffries instruments with 30-button buttons is around D6 and E6. The extra high notes of the

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Trad Music

Wheatstone is not often used in traditional music but can be very useful in classical music if you are playing from a flute or violin part. Wheatstone also has more duplicated notes (in the opposite direction) Gs, As and I find these notes to be very useful as pivot points for keeping my fingers in check. They are also more likely to be used in chords that appear in the friendlier keys (e.g. three flats to three Sharps).

What about a 40 Button Layout Concertina

It’s obvious that the 40-button layout gives you more options for chords, partial or full, and melodic phrasing. And, if you’re really good at counterpoint, it can be even better. My 40-button instrument has the Jeffries-style “reversed” left hand D#/C# buttons. However, because it’s on the additional column (relatively to 30-button), it doesn’t disrupt the Wheatstone pattern with those Gs.

Let me conclude by saying that my 40-button anglo was a result of luck and taking a chance on something less well-known, in this case, a South African Koot Brits instrument. They are more common than 40-button anglos, and they don’t have the same coveted names that sell top dollars in the global marketplace, so they are a lot cheaper than a decent 30 button accordion-reeded. It’s still my “desert islands” instrument, and I have never regretted it.

I’m addicted to the Anglo unfortunately! Concertinists don’t have to be insane. I can play a great concert harp if that is what I need. Although I have learned many instruments, I prefer to use the book. Father Christmas gave me a 20-button concertina (the most affordable) when I was very young. He forgot to include instructions so I had to search for the music myself. That inner intuition has stayed with my to this day.