Accordion

About the Sound and Character

The sound of the accordion is powerful, dense, “breathing,” and highly versatile. Through registers, it can imitate a flute, bassoon, or organ, or sound in the characteristic French musette style with a slight vibrato “chorus”. It simultaneously replaces both melody and bass accompaniment.

Structure and Features

The instrument consists of right and left half-casings connected by bellows. The right hand features a piano keyboard for playing melody, while the left uses a button system where pressing a single button sounds a pre-made chord or bass. Inside are metallic reed plates.

Genres

• French chanson and musette
• Argentine tango (its relative is the bandoneon)
• Folk rock, klezmer, and European folk music