Defining an Accordion

An accordion is surprisingly elegant to define once you break it down into its essential parts. Here’s a clear, musician‑friendly definition that captures both the mechanics and the spirit of the instrument.

What an Accordion Is

An accordion is a portable, bellows‑driven free‑reed instrument in which sound is produced by air flowing across metal reeds as the player expands and compresses the bellows. Notes and chords are controlled by keys or buttons on the right hand and bass/chord buttons on the left.

Core Elements of the Definition

• Bellows‑driven: The bellows act like the instrument’s lungs, pushing and pulling air through the reeds.
• Free‑reed mechanism: Metal reeds vibrate freely when air passes over them, creating sound.
• Right‑hand melody controls: Either piano‑style keys or chromatic/diatonic buttons.
• Left‑hand bass system: Buttons arranged for bass notes and preset chords.
• Portable construction: Designed to be held and played while strapped to the body.

A Concise One‑Sentence Definition

An accordion is a hand‑held musical instrument that uses bellows to force air through free reeds, producing sound controlled by keys or buttons for melody and bass.