Accordions

About Accordions

The accordion, is a bellow instrument that belongs to the woodwind and free-reed aerophone family. This is a beloved and versatile instrument, that has graced musical traditions around the world with its rich sounds. Among its variations are piano accordions and button accordions. With the Piano accordions subdivided into chromatic and diatonic types. Piano accordions are characterized by a keyboard resembling that of a piano on the right-hand side. They range in capabilities, from those with a modest 8 buttons suitable for beginners to professional models featuring 140 buttons or more, offering a wide range of octaves.

Button accordions present a different playstyle. The chromatic button accordion is arranged in a compact matrix and allows for a consistent fingering pattern regardless of the key. Diatonic button accordions, in contrast, are more closely associated with folk music and are tuned to a specific key, with push and pull motions producing different notes.

Both piano and button accordions share a common design in their construction. The body is typically fashioned from wood, lending a warm resonance to the notes played. This wooden framework houses two fundamental boxes, each with reed chambers. These reed chambers contain the heart of the accordion's voice – the precisely crafted reeds that vibrate with airflow. Grilles on each side of the instrument not only protect the delicate internal components but also facilitate the flow of air, allowing the instrument to breathe life into its melodies.

Playing the accordion is split between two hands. The right hand typically focuses on melody, whilst the left hand, meanwhile, provides the necessary accompaniment, using buttons that produce chords and bass notes to support the melody.

Accordion instruments come in a variety of sizes, shaped primarily by the playing range and type desired by the accordionist. A larger size typically equates to a broader range of notes and a richer sound palette. Many accordions for sale are fully handmade and crafted from wood, with each component carefully shaped and assembled to ensure the finest quality of sound and longevity of the instrument.

Accordions FAQs

What are the two main types of accordion?

The main two types of accordion include the piano accordion and the button accordion. Split into two sides, left and right to produce bass chords and melody.

What is the accordion?

The accordion is a bellow instrument that belongs to the free reed wind instrument family. It works by pushing air through small metal reeds to make a wide variety of sounds.

Which accordion is easiest to play?

Although there are two types of accordion, the button accordion is better suited to beginners as there are minimal keys needed to play making it easier for players looking to learn accordion.