A hand-held musical instrument known as an accordion. Accordions have been made in Europe since the 1700s and can be found in the folk music of many European countries. The accordion has a distinct sound that some listeners find unpleasant, while others enjoy the unique auditory experience of listening to an accordion. The accordion is sometimes referred to as a squeezebox because of the way it is played.
The accordion’s origins can be traced back to the cheng, a Chinese instrument invented around 5,000 years ago. Explorers returning from Asia brought back the cheng, as well as a variety of other Chinese goods. By the 1700s, German musicians had experimented with the instrument and were producing recognizable accordions. The flutina and the aeoline are two variations of the instrument that have been developed. A German inventor had patented a “accordion” in the early 1800s.
The accordion is classified as a wind instrument, which means that the sounds it produces are caused by air movement. Two keyboards are connected by a central bellows in a typical accordion. When the bellows are squeezed, air is forced past reeds within the accordion’s body, producing musical notes and chords. Specific notes or chords are produced using keyboards. Because of the unique way in which the instrument is put together, most accordion construction and maintenance is still done by hand.
Many accordions are diatonic, which means that depending on whether air is pulled into or pushed out of the bellows, different sounds are produced. Others are chromatic, producing the same sound regardless of the air flow direction. Sharps and flats, as well as several octaves of notes, are all possible on accordions. Custom versions have also been created in order to achieve a specific sound.
Many accordions are lavishly decorated for the holidays, and the instruments can be garish. The sound of the accordion is closely associated with Swiss and German folk music. Accordions can also be found in some Mexican music, thanks to a German presence in the country that led to their introduction. Many folk dance bands, as well as mariachi bands and folk music groups, feature accordion players. The accordion, when combined with a variety of other instruments, can be quite charming as well as unique.