Most respected teachers strongly discourage using back straps as they can add unnecessary weight on arms and shoulders which in turn leads to postural issues.
Find and press the air button (the one on the left hand side near the strap). Pressing this will allow you to move the bellows easily.
Reeds
Accordions contain multiple sets of metal reed tongues which vibrate when air is drawn through them via bellows, producing sound called voices that create its distinct sound. Each voice in an accordion has a specific tone; making the instrument truly one-of-a-kind.
As opposed to pianos or violins which need regular tuning sessions, accordions tend to remain in tune for years without needing regular adjustment if they are exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity levels. Of course, their need to be tuned still exists from time to time and will still need tuning services provided for them by professional tuners.
The treble and bass casings each house reed blocks connected by pallets that unlock reed plates to allow air from the bellows to vibrate them, producing different sounds and timbres from them. Inside each block there are various reed banks which can be combined together into different registers producing distinct sounds or timbres; all accordions also feature switches which enable users to control which combination of voice reeds are active at any one time.
Keyboard
A piano accordion features both a piano-style keyboard and buttons on either side, producing melody notes and chords while producing bass sounds via buttons on either side. While lower cost accordions typically offer only bass chords on their left sides, more expensive instruments may include major, minor, and dominant seventh chord buttons for better sound production.
Piano accordions feature keys with small bumps or holes designed to give players tactile feedback on which button to press next. Felt is often placed under keys to control touch and prevent key noise; additionally, felt is used to protect pallets and silence non-pressed notes by restricting air flow.
Accordions can feature up to five sets of treble reeds known as voices, each tuned slightly differently for a tremolo effect. Two or three voice instruments tend to follow musette tuning standards, while four-voice accordions usually employ double octave tuning – though other variations may exist depending on musical genre and regional preference.
Bass
On the bass side are buttons for creating chords and an additional counter bass button a third above tonic. On each of the treble casings are linked pallets protecting reed blocks from airflow; when piano keys are pushed they unlock these pallets allowing air flow through them and vibrate when piano keys are released to release air into them.
Most accordions feature a keyboard with both melody (known as manual or right-hand keyboard) and basso continuo functionality on either side. An accordionist typically performs melodies using buttons or keyboard, with pre-set chords on basses to accompany their performance.
Some accordions employ a system of single notes arranged diagonally chromatically, which allows melodies to be played at their true pitch. Another method, free bass, involves switching chord buttons into individual notes using a switch. Finally, some accordions offer three sets of 8′ reeds tuned together for an oscillating vibrato effect – giving an accordion a wide array of musette tunings for even further vibrato effects.
Air button
The air button can be found at the top of your treble keyboard, and allows you to move the bellows without making a sound. Practice is important as this technique will enable smooth transition between different parts of your accordion piece or back to starting position if required.
Change the sound coming out of the treble side to alter its tone, and can also help alter your rhythm while playing. If you’re having difficulty keeping a steady beat, practice with another accordion player to ensure an even beat and ensure they can hear how both bass and treble sides blend together harmoniously.
Most accordions are composed primarily of plastic materials, with metal and leather fittings for details that require hand assembly. Reeds also take time and need to be individually cut and tuned for each button that requires them.