If you are interested in learning to play the accordion or are just interested in learning more about the ol’ squeezebox, I thought I’d put together some common and not-so-common questions and tips for you to get started with.
Understanding how the instrument works and what creates its sounds will greatly help you get familiar with the motions used to produce music.
How Does The Accordion Work?
Generally, the accordion is played by pressing keys that control internal air pressure which, in turn, makes a set of bellows move. This motion causes the accordion’s reeds to vibrate, which creates the sound of the instrument. Learning to play requires you to master subtle movements that control these parts.
The unique construction makes the accordion fit into a very specific category of instruments called free-reed aerophones. I go into more detail about this over here in this article.
A Brief History Of The Accordion
The history of the accordion can be traced back to the early 19th century when it was first invented by Christian Friedrich Ludwig Buschmann, a German instrument maker. At the time, it was colloquially known as a “squeezebox” because of the way a musician must press and squeeze the bellows together to create sound.
Although it’s not as old as the violin or the piano, the accordion is a versatile instrument that can be played in a variety of styles. Within just a few years, the accordion had been adopted by many other cultures and has since become popular throughout the world.
Today, it can be found in music from Italy, France, Poland, and even Brazil. And, although the first accordions were made of wood, today they are usually made of plastic and metal.
The Basic Parts Of An Accordion
At first sight, the accordion may seem complicated but it is basically just a keyboard with a set of reeds and bellows. The bellows are used to create the sound by pumping air into the instrument, which flows through the internal reeds. The musician then controls the pitch of the sound by pressing keys on the keyboard to create different notes.
The accordion is then divided into two sections by a series of buttons that control which notes are played. The treble side of an accordion is responsible for playing the higher notes, and the bass side is responsible for playing the lower notes. On the bass side, you’ll also find several rows of buttons, which can play complete chords.
The accordion can be played solo or in a band with other musicians. Because of its size, it’s usually played sitting down with the instrument in your lap but it can also be played while standing up. Depending on the cultural context, if you learn to play the accordion, you’ll likely play folk music, classical music, or regional pop music.
Types Of Accordions
As you start to learn the accordion, you’ll find that there are actually a handful of different models. Some of the different types of accordions you might encounter include:
- Piano Accordions – You’ll likely use this type of accordion as you start learning. It features a keyboard similar to a piano and is the most popular type of accordion for folk and regional pop music.
- Chromatic Accordion – This type of accordion has a wider range of notes than a piano accordion. It is often used in classical music and jazz.
- Button Accordion – This type of accordion has buttons instead of a keyboard. It is also popular in folk and traditional music.
- Diatonic Accordion – This type of accordion is used primarily in folk music. It has fewer keys than other types of accordions and is typically smaller in size.
I recommend starting with the piano accordion because, once you’ve mastered the basic fundamentals, you’ll easily adjust to new models.
But how much do Accordions or Concertinas cost? Check out this article!
What Are Some Tips To Make Playing The Accordion Easier?
The accordion is not an overly difficult instrument to learn how to play. However, it does take some time to get used to the way the keys and bellows work. Here are the basic steps for playing the accordion:
- Sit in a chair with the accordion in your lap.
- Find the correct notes on the keyboard that you wish to play.
- Pump the bellows to bring air into the instrument and produce a sound.
- Hold the notes down with your left hand while you pump the bellows with your right hand.
- Release the notes and press new keys as you transition through the musical passage.
The accordion can be a bit challenging to play at first but, with a little practice and some guidance, you’ll soon be able to play all of your favorite songs. In the next section, I’ll share some tips that will help you quickly master the movements and coordination needed to play the instrument as well as some music theory to better understand music.
How To Get Better At The Accordion
After you’ve learned the basic concepts of how the accordion works, you’ll need to practice regularly and learn some basic music theory. Here is a short list of tips to help you get started:
- Start by learning the basic chords – A chord is simply two or more notes played together. There are many different chords that can be played on the accordion, and you don’t need to learn them all at once. Just start with a few basic chords and work your way up.
- Practice regularly – It should go without saying but, the more you practice, the better you will get. It may take some time to get the hang of playing the accordion, but with practice, you will be able to play melodies and chords with ease.
- Learn some basic music theory – Music theory will help you understand how to play melodies and chords on the accordion. There are many different music theory books and online resources that can teach you the basics.
- Listen to accordion music – Carefully listening to professionals as they play will help you learn how to master the accordion. Listen to different styles of music and try to identify the chords and melodies that are being played.
- Study with a teacher – Finally, if you are still having trouble learning how to play the accordion on your own, consider getting a teacher. A good teacher can teach you the basics of the instrument and help you improve your playing skills.
Although it may seem difficult at first, once you’ve mastered the basic fundamentals, you’ll quickly learn new pieces and be able to play longer than you could at first. A teacher can also impart some warm-up exercises, drills, and practices that will help you nail the finer dynamics of playing the accordion
Final Thoughts
Since its creation, the accordion has become well-loved around the world and thousands of people choose to learn to play every year. By pressing air into a set of reeds, you can control the instrument and make various notes by pressing its keys and buttons. It may seem difficult at first but, with a little practice, you’ll be able to play your favorite songs on this unique instrument.