Diatonic music refers to compositions which only use notes from some major scale and do not incorporate flats or sharps. Two-row diatonic accordions first appeared in the early 1800s and were known by various names: accordeon (French), acordeon de botones (Spanish), fisarmonica diatonica (Italian), garmonika/bayan (Russian), and Ziehharmonika (German).
These instruments were traditionally associated with folk music and considered an instrument of the poor; this prejudice is slowly being dismantled.
Keyboard
There are two primary types of diatonic accordions: the one-row melodeon (trikitixa in Basque country) and three to five row diatonic. The former is typically portable, consisting of only ten buttons in its single row while the latter typically uses twelve bass buttons spaced five fifths apart to provide rhythm and harmony for melodies played.
These accordions can be pushed or pulled to produce notes from the left side or chords from right. While some models offer single action functionality, others feature double action for increased portability. Your choice depends on genre, comfort level and individual taste.
Some accordionists specialize in certain styles of music on an accordion. Peter Pot is an accordion virtuoso who plays traditional French and Basque folk music as well as rock and modern jazz; he often collaborates with Flogging Molly. Huddie Leadbelly was another such musician from rural Louisiana who played American folk music on an accordion.
Reeds
One or more reed banks on an instrument can be opened and closed by switches located on its body, each switch associated with its own set of reeds or voices which become active when you press that switch’s button. There are numerous combinations possible; the most frequently employed one involves tuning two eight-foot (8′) ranks differently to create French-style sound (also referred to as wet tuning).
One option for making Tuba or Brass-like sounds is a sixteen-foot (16′) rank which sounds an octave below unison pitch, providing a Tuba- or Brass-like tone. There are also Helikon bass reeds which produce low pitched tones similar to those produced by ram horn trumpets; they are fitted to duraluminium plates and longer and wider than standard bass reeds for use on many Styrian and German accordions to produce powerful yet deep sounding tones.
Bass
Small diatonic accordions (and some larger ones such as melodeons, also known as Schwyzerorgeli or Slovenian style boxes) often feature bisonoric basses; that is, their bass notes change depending on which direction you push or pull the bellows – offering much wider notes than stradella basses.
Large diatonics tuned with rows a semitone apart (i.e. BCC#) typically feature “Helikon” bass reeds which reproduce low pitched tones similar to a Tuba, providing an incredibly distinctive sound.
Piano accordions feature keys arranged in a keyboard layout, making them easier for beginners to pick up and more familiar feeling than button accordions. However, their smaller range of treble notes and need for greater pressing pressure than button accordions makes playing harder; and because there are many more reeds than on their counterparts. Both types allow wet or dry tuning which can alter their sound.
Accessories
From Tex-Mex to Irish folk music and French musette to Colombian Vallenato, accordions have always been an inspiration in music. Their versatile tonal range, thanks to their single-action keyboard is what sets it apart from other instruments; each button produces two tones: when pushed one tone is produced; another tone when pulled.
Two and three row diatonics are typically tuned to C#/D; four and five row diatonics are tuned B/C. These tunings will affect what music can be played on them.
Diatonic accordions use fewer keys (sometimes only one) and half the number of reeds found in traditional chromatic models, thereby making them lighter, cheaper and simpler to transport.