The piano accordion is one of the most versatile and flexible button instruments, featuring single notes arranged chromatically so melodies sound at true pitch.
Double-action instruments include couplers that activate multiple sets of reeds, including one an octave lower for creating a tremulant effect.
Keyboard
People tend to associate accordions with buskers on street corners in Paris or groups of farmers gathering around campfires in rural Germany; but today this versatile instrument has earned its place among numerous musical genres and even concert halls such as Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.
The accordion combines piano keyboard technology for playing melodies on its right-hand side (known as the Treble), with accompaniment or Basso Continuo functions on its left side – something English inventor Charles Wheatstone perfected in 1844.
Accordions come in all sorts of sizes. Their size can usually be defined by the number of bass buttons on one side and number of treble keys (where more treble keys equals higher key). Other free bass systems allow players to create chords note by note using Stradella and Luttbeg free-bass systems; other considerations when purchasing an accordion might include whether you prefer unisonoric or chromatic keyboard layout and how many reeds there are in its structure.
Reeds
As with any musical instrument, accordion reeds must be properly tuned. Tuning involves the removal of steel from the profile of each reed tongue using a metal shape as guidance against a grindstone accompanied by skilled operators; tuning each individual octave requires great experience to do properly without weakening/breaking its tongues or decreasing sound output.
Reeds change pitch when played from soft (pianissimo) to loud (fortissimo). Over time they develop better response speed and become more expressive in range.
Reeds on an accordion are designed to reflect their surrounding, which is why they must be carefully designed, mounted and tuned for an intended sound. Sometimes the original reeds need to be completely removed, replaced with new ones, waxed, mounted back up, tuned again – this process is known as reed overhaul and requires significant labor-intensive repair by an experienced accordion repair person.
Bass
Accordions generally feature two sets of bass notes. Each set consists of rows of buttons that create different sounds when pressed or pulled, making up what are called “voices.” They can be tuned so as to sound the same note or give various octaves that an accordion is capable of playing.
The piano accordion (or concertina), is one of the world’s most frequently seen concert instruments and often graces concert stages with some of its finest musicians. Colleges and universities now recognize accordion majors, evidence of its growing legitimacy as an element of classical music.
One aspect that gives piano accordions their distinctive sound is their ability to play bass note runs between chords. These should fit exactly and stop at exactly the right beats or they risk sounding repetitive or annoying; to avoid this happening again simply play short chords so other parts can shine!
Accessories
Accordions were widely introduced around the world due to migration waves from Europe in the 1800s, and are now an essential element in traditional music worldwide. Their introduction caused waves of migration across continents; accordions have since then played an enormous part in folk and traditional music scenes everywhere from New Zealand to Brazil and Australia. They can be heavy instruments which often feature straps around their back for balance and control purposes as well as an additional shoulder strap enabling players to hold upright their bellows for improved control while playing, especially if sitting.
Piano accordions differ from button accordions by being fully chromatic instruments that can be played either side up and used across an array of musical genres – from folk, dance-pop and classical through to popular tango music made famous by Astor Piazzolla on his bandoneon (bisonoric instrument) before evolving to become the chromatic instrument that was made famous today.
Accordions come in various sizes from 8 bass up to 72 bass. Each size offers unique features, such as its number of bass buttons. Less expensive models may only feature bass notes while more professional instruments offer chord buttons for major, minor, dominant seventh, and diminished chords to be played.