Learn About Accordions

Learn About Accordions

Accordions are expressive, mechanical and musical instruments with a rich history. This section introduces the main types of accordions, their construction, important makers and notable players.

Defining an Accordion

An accordion is a free-reed instrument played by compressing and expanding bellows while pressing keys or buttons. Air passes over reeds to create sound.

Family of Accordions

The accordion family includes piano accordions, button accordions, chromatic systems, diatonic accordions, concertinas and related bellows-driven instruments.

Famous Accordionists

Accordion music appears in folk, classical, jazz, popular and traditional music. Many players have helped establish the accordion as a serious and versatile instrument.

Accordion Builders

Accordion builders and manufacturers have shaped the development of the instrument through reed quality, mechanical design, keyboard systems, tone, materials and craftsmanship.