Accordions are found all over the world. While you can say with certainty that the bagpipes are Scottish and the didgeridoo is Australian, the accordion has no fixed origin and forms part of the folk music of an array of different countries: from South America to France and from Italy to Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, the Balkans, Asia (especially in China) and even as far as Australia where it was brought over by European migrants, as well other far-flung lands. Even in Britain, the accordion has its place.
The Unique Design of the Accordion
In a way, the accordion has a lot in common with a harmonica. The only obvious difference is that air is pumped through a set of reeds by moving a big concertina-style bag (the bellows) back and forth to inflate it and then push the air out, rather than blowing through a set of holes. Accordions also feature a lot more reeds and different reed combinations that harmonicas so they also have a much wider note range - a detail that any non-accordion player is likely to miss on first glance. Accordions (traditionally speaking) don't need any power. You don't need to plug it into a power socket or an amplifier and, as well as melodies, you can play chords and bass lines on an accordion. Try to find another acoustic and portable instrument that can do all that!
How Much Do Accordions Cost?
Beyond the buttons, keys, bellows and maybe the high-gloss finish of the body, the value of an accordion lies in what's going on inside. The mechanics that go into an accordion being able to create melodies, chords and bass lines all at once is an enormously complex business of reeds and switches. In other words, it's very hard work to build an accordion so the process costs money. Of course there are more budget-friendly models out there that have been designed for beginners, but there are also some properly expensive, more professional accordions available - if you're willing to cough up a (sometimes) five-figure sum, that is.
Picking an Accordion: Acoustic or Digital?
Just like digital versions of acoustic pianos, you can also get digital versions of acoustic accordions, however, the range of digital accordions available right now is nowhere near as big as the range of digital pianos. Both digital and acoustic accordions come with their own perks, so it's a matter of figuring out which perks you need and which you can do without.
The Pros and Cons of Acoustic Accordions
As you'd expect from any acoustic instrument: an acoustic accordion sounds like an accordion, while digital accordions at the very least imitate the sound of an accordion. How well you think a digital accordion does this is a personal thing. Some purists prefer to stick to acoustic models not just because of the sound but because the instrument is perfect as it is - no bells and whistles required. What might dictate your choice, however, is the price and the weight - both of which are often considerably higher than digital models, but that's just the price you pay for all of the analogue inner workings.
The Pros and Cons of Digital Accordions
The sound of a digital accordion is generated by a computer chip, so all of those internal mechanics we mentioned earlier just aren't necessary. This brings the weight of the instrument right down and means that you no longer have to contend with worn out reeds over the years. Another big benefit of a digital accordion is that you're not bound to just an accordion sound. In fact, you can use a digital accordion as a sort of expression pedal, controlling the internal computer chip and playing maybe a flute or guitar sound or - anything. This makes things much more flexible for roaming musicians, since it gives them a complete sound package, sometimes even including rhythms and backing tracks - just like keyboards. There are a few downsides to the digital accordion as well. Of course, like with most tech, the quality is only getting better over time, so the sound comes pretty close to that of an acoustic model. But there's also the psychological trick of playing with different sounds. Say you're watching someone play the flute but you hear the sound of a trumpet? It could be either impressive or a bit weird. It might be that people have prepared themselves to hear the lush complexity of an accordion but get the sound of a full string section instead - they might end up asking if a digital accordion is actually necessary. All that said, the fact that you can get a really decent acoustic accordion sound out of a digital accordion coupled with the fact that digital models are far more lightweight and more comfortable might well be enough to sway you.
Accordion Accessories
An accordion comes pretty complete as it is, but if your model didn't come with a case or bag included, then there are plenty of gig bags and cases available. There are also plenty of music books for the accordion to help players hone their skills. Next to that, if you want to amplify an acoustic accordion, you can also get special accordion microphones and, so you can play in comfort, there's also an array of accordion straps to choose from.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Accordion
What kind of repertoire can you play with an accordion?
Much of the traditional repertoire for the accordion is folk music, since it is a pure folk instrument. Think Germany during Oktoberfest, think the Argentinian tango, think Irish folk music and think lilting French ballads - all made possible with the help of the accordion.
Can you play classical music with an accordion?
There are certainly classical composers and musicians who have featured an accordion in their work, including Bach. Musicians who do play classical pieces on an accordion are usually classically trained and the pieces they play are incredibly difficult, so some respect is definitely deserved.
Is there such a thing as an accordion orchestra?
Sure! There are whole companies that play as a group of maybe ten to twenty accordion players and perform pop music, film soundtracks and other music that's specifically composed for the accordion. Because solo accordionists tend to be in higher demand than groups, the number of accordion orchestras is, unfortunately, in decline.
What kind of music includes the accordion?
In mainstream pop, the accordion very rarely makes an appearance and when it does, it's usually an incidental vibe-creator, like on 'Max' by Paolo Conte. Shanty choirs often have one or two accordion players as accompaniment, as well as a few party bands. But the place where you're more than likely to find an accordion is in the theatre during cabaret acts. The beauty of an accordion is that it's almost a complete band in one instrument, so you don't need many other musicians and, budget-wise, that's a pretty big plus in the culture-world where big budgets aren't always available. It's here that a digital accordion can also bring a lot of value.
What do the buttons of an accordion do?
Since playing the accordion means that you're essentially blindly reaching for the right notes on the keyboard side, it's a pretty tactile affair - played on feel alone. You're also playing in multiple dimensions - so playing the keyboard while moving the bag back and forth and playing the chords etc. Over on the bass side, life is made a little easier since the buttons control complete chords and bass notes. Switching between a bass note and a chord is much easier because it's simply a case of just moving your hand from one button to another rather than across a keyboard. When learning to play the buttons on the bass side of an accordion, you have to learn to play in shapes, simply because you can't really see what you're doing.
Should I go for a model with buttons or a keyboard on the right hand?
This might depend on what you're used to. If you can already play the piano, then a model with keyboard keys is likely to feel more familiar and easier to play. If you're learning to play the accordion with no prior experience, then it won't make much difference. In accordion orchestras, the bass side (where all the buttons are mounted) is rarely if ever played.
What's the downside of just buttons?
If you're limited to the bass side of an accordion, then the number of chords you can play is also limited. In principle, you'd have enough to play a range of songs - but they can't be too complex. If you want to be able to play a more serious repertoire, then you're likely to use the bass side (so the buttons) far less. If you're playing in an accordion orchestra, then the chords are built by multiple players, playing the keyboard side with their right hand.
What are accordion registers?
Accordions feature a whole load of internal reeds. The register switches are used to set the internal mechanics into motion and feed the air through specific reeds. This is how you're able to achieve combinations of octaves and produce higher and lower pitched variations that sound lush and warm together. The number of registers will differ depending on the accordion model.
