Guide to Accordions

The accordion is a handheld, bellows-driven instrument played by expanding and compressing the bellows to generate airflow across the reeds. It is made with a keyboard that determines which reed should receive the airflow to produce different tones. The modern accordion is made up of two parts, each rectangular in shape and separated by a bellows. Each part of the body has a keyboard with buttons, levers, or piano-style keys. To produce sound, the keys are pressed perpendicular to the motion of the bellows and towards the performer. 

• The diatonic accordion has a row of 10 buttons on the right hand.
• Each note on the button board has at least two reeds, which have different pitches for the in bellows and the out bellows.
• The root of the scale is the bass notes and relevant chords for the in bellows, and the fifth of the scale for the out bellows.
• Its note pattern is similar to the mouth of a harmonica.
• It produces a good sound output.
• It is relatively lightweight, simple to use, and affordable.
• It is one of the most popular accordions in the world.
• It is commonly used by many folk and dance groups.

• The concertina accordion has four to 12 sides in its cross-section.
• It is different from the other accordions because of its unusual keyboard.
• It has no fixed chords.
• Each of its buttons produce different notes.
• Each side of the instrument has its own wrist, thumb, and finger strap.
• It is usually supported by the knee when played.
• It is generally lightweight and compact.
• It uses a number of different systems and notes, making it hard for a concertina player to pick up a new system and master it immediately.

• The accordion with a chromatic keyboard has three to six rows of small, round or rectangular keys.
• The last three rows are a repeat of the first three rows for more fingering options.
• The most common chromatic layouts are the B and C systems.
• The C system is used to play easier and more melodic chords, while the B system is used for more technically challenging music.
• The six-row chromatic accordion, also known as the Serbian accordion, is commonly used by Yugoslav players.

• The piano accordion is the first truly standardized universal accordion.
• It has right-hand keyboard just like a piano.
• It allows the accordionist to play any make or type of piano accordion without changing the system.
• It is sized according to the number of basses it has.
• It usually has a bass range of 12 to 160.

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