Accordions are free-reed instruments comprising two pre-tuned metal reeds fastened to metal plates (now typically aluminum alloy). Their vibration occurs as air passes over and through slots in their plates.
Accordions are an indispensable component of today’s accordion scene, used in genres as diverse as heavy metal and folk revival music.
Accordion History
The accordion for sale has long been revered in our culture, often being played at family gatherings or adding an upbeat tone to popular songs.
No matter your musical taste – from baroque to punk rock – the accordion is an adaptable instrument that can accommodate many styles and genres. Plus, its accessibility makes it great for beginners looking to start learning how to play!
The accordion can be traced back to Europe in the early 1800s when they began exploring free reed instruments using free reeds for musical instruments. C. F. L. Buschmann developed in Berlin the handaeoline with only five buttons on its treble side (Macerollo 1980: 9-13). Organ builder Cyril Demian improved this instrument further by adding fixed chord buttons for left hand playing on June 6, 1829 when he patented his “akkordion”.
Types of Accordions
There are various kinds of accordions to choose from and they can vary considerably in terms of quality, price and build quality. Therefore, it’s crucial that you conduct adequate research prior to purchasing one.
First and foremost, consider how many switches there are on both the treble (keyboard) side and bass button side; these may range from zero to five for lower-end accordions to five to 15 or more on higher-end models.
Another key consideration when selecting an accordion for sale is whether or not it is dry- or wet-tuned. With dry tuning, all reeds are in tune and a single tone can be heard when moving the bellows in and out of their respective reeds. With wet tuning, detuning may occur between each note that causes detuning.
Wet tuning involves applying an even greater degree of detuning than with dry-tuned instruments; this may result in thicker sound quality from your instrument.
Buying an Accordion
Starting out can be daunting when purchasing an accordion, so the best way to begin is with advice from friends or family who already possess experience playing an accordion.
They may be able to recommend some local musical instrument stores with excellent customer service that can assist you with selecting an accordion that best meets your needs. If they can’t, visiting online stores is worth your while to view their available instruments and videos of various models.
With a budget of about PS1000, you can purchase either new or pre-owned Italian instrument from one of the top manufacturers. These instruments tend to be slightly larger and heavier than their smaller counterparts but provide better quality sound and more versatile tones overall.
Accordion Repairs
Accordion repair is an extremely low-tech occupation utilizing hand tools. Although formal training may not be necessary, many repairers develop their craft through apprenticeships with more experienced repairers or internships in accordion factories and workshops.
One of the most frequently performed repairs is switching out reed leathers. Reed leathers are attached to reeds with small metal pins known as bellows pins for secure attachment.
Pliers are necessary to remove bellows pins, with specially made tools being optimal. For optimal results, try to invest in specific models designed specifically for this task.
Care should be taken not to mar the plastic finish on an accordion when taking out bellows pins; otherwise, cracks or chips in its plastic shell may appear.
Bending tools are essential in safely and quickly extracting key rods without harming their delicate aluminum substrates. Tools which are too large or narrow may result in unsightly gouges on adjacent key rods.