A fully chromatic instrument invented by Sir Charles Wheatstone in 1829.

It is typically hexagonal in shape, able to play all full and halftones needed for playing classical music. It has buttons in a rectangular arrangement of 4 staggered rows, with the short side of the rectangle addressing the wrist. The instrument is unisonoric, in that press and draw on each button yield the same note. The 2 innermost rows of the layout constitute a diatonic C major scale, distributed alternatingly between the two sides of the instrument. The two outer rows consist of the sharps and flats required to complete the chromatic scale.

This distribution of scale notes between sides facilitates rapid melodic play, while to some extent rendering chords more difficult to learn than scales.

The English concertina is typically held by placing the thumbs through thumb straps and the little fingers on metal finger rests, leaving 3 fingers free for noting; alternately, both the ring and pinkie fingers support the metal finger rest, leaving 2 fingers for noting.