Button accordions are free-reed aerophone instruments used in folk and modern music genres, typically for folk and its offshoots. Their forms, sizes and button layouts differ according to genre.
Most button accordions utilize the stradella bass system which comprises six rows of bass buttons arranged in a circle of fifths so all notes in an octave are within easy reach.
Bellows
The bellows (also referred to as lungs) is an intricate system composed of pleated cardboard and cloth connected on either side to a casing or frame on either side. When expanded or compressed, this pressure allows air to pass over reeds inside an accordion, vibrating them and producing sound.
The Reeds are organized in sets of two metal reed plates (one each for the treble and bass case), connected via a mechanism with open/close register slides that allows opening/closing control over each set of two reeds, so when closed they sound as single notes while when opened as chords.
Turning the bellows frequently and on beat is an effective way to maintain rhythm while closing them up more than opening up. This practice is especially crucial for melodeon players who often perform improvised dance music where turns of the bellows can significantly change feel and tone.
Reeds
Quality accordion sound depends heavily on its reeds, so we take great pride in offering only top quality Italian-sourced and hand finished reeds for our students to use.
Reeds are thin pieces of wood or cane that can be bent into shape to vibrate air and produce sound; one of three key components that make up an accordion, alongside bellows and buttons.
Contrary to pianos which require periodic tuning sessions, accordions may remain in tune for much longer with proper care and maintenance. They still must be regularly tuned; whether a student needs new reeds or professional services depends on their age, physical development and level of interest in music.
Buttons
The accordion’s buttons are organized in rows to correspond with the notes of a scale, usually comprising push and pull buttons that correspond with individual notes of the scale. With time comes practice in knowing which ones do what!
diatonic button accordions are common, with buttons on the melody side keyboard producing notes of a diatonic scale when the bellows expand or contract. Diatonic accordions are most often employed for folk music as well as its modern variations.
Explore creating chords by pressing bass buttons on the left-hand side of an instrument while expanding and contracting its bellows. Find buttons near C and press them, moving to each subsequent bass button until a chord forms – this will produce basic chords which can then be played alongside melodies or other accompaniment. Keep in mind that accordions also come in chromatic styles which have different note layouts which might prove challenging at first.
Keyboard
A keyboard is a device used by computer users to type and perform various other tasks on their computers. It consists of various categories of keys including alphanumeric, function, modifier and navigation keys as well as additional buttons for special operations. Furthermore, this flexible device can easily be transported between locations.
A keyboard contains many parts, including keycaps, switches, circuit boards and backplates that help it function correctly. In particular, its circuit board facilitates smooth transmission of electrical impulses between its parts and computer systems.
The QWERTY keyboard design is one of the most commonly used types, being derived from old-school typewriters with alphabetic order of keys to facilitate typing. Other designs have since emerged to make typing faster and less repetitive; such as Dvorak keyboard which uses an alternative layout that makes reaching frequently used letters simpler.