Button accordions (also called diatonic accordions) are restricted to playing one key. A one-row model typically set at C is most commonly seen and most accordion music and tuition books are written specifically for this instrument.
All button accordions feature two parts, the treble side which produces single notes, and the bass/chord side which generates chords. In general, buttons on the left-hand side are arranged ascendingly for your convenience with a middle “C”.
How to Play
Button accordions can be easily learned, yet becoming proficient requires time, dedication and practice. To avoid discomfort or injury from overexerting oneself it’s essential not overdoing things – the key lies in staying within your capabilities when practicing!
Keep the instrument in a cool environment away from extremes of temperature – don’t leave it outside in extreme hot or cold temperatures as this could damage its reeds and bellows. Furthermore, make sure it remains upright as slouching can affect balance and accuracy when playing an accordion.
Keep the bellows of an accordion strapped together when not in use will extend its lifespan, and to create notes press in one or more buttons and push out again – this creates different notes. Little numbers beneath treble buttons refer to piano keys (for instance button 3 on the right hand plays C4 piano key). Button accordions can cover 20 pitches from low sol to high mi.
Getting Started
Button accordions differ from piano accordions in that you push or pull on the bellows to play notes, with each button playing different notes depending on whether it was pushed or pulled on. Pushing one note makes one note sound on push and another note when pulled back on.
First, familiarize yourself with the push/pull movement of an accordion. Place it on your chest with its bass buttons pointing toward your shoulders; either sit or stand while holding the instrument until finding comfortable and stable handling positions.
Next, place your index finger on the third bass button of the inner row on your fingerboard. Gently press down on it while pushing bellows inward – this will be your first note (C).
Continue to practice alternating the C bass button with the C major right-hand chord until it becomes smooth and effortless, then progress onto other bass buttons and right-hand chords until you understand how the accordion operates. Soon you should be playing melodies across both rows of your accordion.
Scales
Beginner accordionists often find the layout of an accordion keyboard confusing. Since most accordions use single action keys that produce two notes when pushed or pulled like harmonicas do.
Button accordions are diatonic instruments, meaning they can be played in any key. As opposed to free-reed instruments such as bassoon, bandoneon or mouth organ that use chromatic scales for playing, learning scales should be the initial step for learning button accordion.
Scales are an invaluable part of learning an instrument, helping you identify which buttons produce specific sounds. Once you understand which sound a button produces, then translating sheet music to know which buttons to press with how much pressure.
This book provides beginners with a foundation in fingering for major scales on the bass buttons of a stradella bass accordion (button layout similar to left side of this page). Specifically designed for beginners, this will quickly give them confidence to play any chromatic melody on their accordion.
Techniques
Certain chromatic button accordions feature up to five rows of buttons on their treble keyboards, with the first two near the bellows providing single notes across an interval of 12 semitones and remaining rows producing fixed chords.
Each button plays a different note depending on whether it is being pushed or pulled – known as bisonoric and making progress easier for beginners without needing note reading skills.
Many players initially learn the 3-2 fingering method before later transitioning to 4-3 technique if it suits their music better. Switching can take some practice; especially if you have been using the 3-2 for an extended period of time.
Reducing force when pushing and pulling on the bellows will keep its buttons from tiring out quickly, leading to hasty sound production and creating hasty music. Aim for an optimal balance between desired loudness and effortless operation of your bellows.