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Accordions |
Accordion Parts
Accordion is a musical instrument played by compression and expansion of a bellows, which generates air flow across the reed. It has keyboard controls which reeds receive air flow, producing the tones. Just like the other musical instruments, the accordion has a number of parts that play different functions. However, these accordion parts work together to produce the exact, great quality tones that accordion is well-acclaimed of.
Here are the major parts of accordion:
The Bellows
The bellows are said to be the “heart” of the accordion. It is this accordion part that creates the volume by forcing air through the reeds. As you may know, controlling the air flow with the bellows for dynamics and expression is one thing that is unique to accordion.
The Reeds
The reeds have long been considered as the most vital part of an accordion’s sound quality. This is for the fact that the reeds are the ones that produce the accordion’s sound. Technically, this particular accordion part is consists of thins steel, which is riveted at one end of the reed plate. The other end of the reed is free to vibrate in and out of the slot, especially when air pressure is supplied from the bellows. This accordion part has plates that are mounted on reed blocks, which are typically made of poplar wood. And, this part has leathers that work to moderate the flow of air.
Switches
Switches function to open or close one or more sets of reeds, through the register slides in the reed blocks. It is noted that the more reeds in an accordion, the more switches become available.
Air Button
Another important accordion part is the air button, which mainly operates the valve that allows the bellows to open and close without the accordion making any sound. The air button is typically situated on the side of the bass board, or is the very top bass button.
Valves
The valves are generally what allow the air to enter into the reed.
Treble Keyboard
This accordion part has basically the same layout as the piano. Note that in this part, the lowest note is at the top when you look at it from the front.
Tone Chamber
Also called “Cassoto”, the tone chamber is actually the box into which a set of reeds is placed. Cassoto is actually the general term used for any instrument with reeds in a chamber. It is this accordion part which gives the instrument a rich and full sound.
Grille
The grille covers the treble valves and mechanisms of the keyboard. This accordion part is employed to decorate the accordion, and the grille usually displays the brand name or logo of the manufacturer. It is also usually vented to let a louder treble sound. However, this is also used as a muting mechanism.
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More Info
Accordion Music Memories
It's every kid's dream to play the accordion in a local talent show, right? OK, well, maybe not so much a dream as something that seems like fun at the time, but a memory that will make you cringe in horror years later when you look back at the pictures.
This story is a memory and tip / warning for accordion players everywhere. Actually, it is a valuable tip for anyone playing a musical instrument on stage where a spotlight will be in use during the show.
We started having meetings and rehearsals for the local talent show about a month and a half before the scheduled date of the show. The organization putting on the talent show had to rent the spotlight so they planned to only get it in time for the dress rehearsal, which was the day before the actual show. Therefore, during all the other rehearsals, we only had the regular fluorscent lighting in the room and the general stage lighting.
On the night of the final dress rehearsal, the person in charge of operating the spotlight could not get it to work so we went through the rehearsal without it. I had been practicing my accordion faithfully and played a medley of several songs flawlessly during the rehearsal.
The next day, on the night of the actual talent show, the spotlight was working properly. When it was my turn to perform, the audience applauded as I walked out on to the stage with my accordion strapped to my chest carrying my accordion sheet music. I sat down and placed the sheet music on the stand. The general house lights dimmed and the spotlight came on.
That's when I realized it was time to panic. Stage fright, you think? Not at all, I loved being on the stage with an audience of hundreds. The reason for panic was because the spotlight was so strong that it shone right through the sheet music! I couldn't see any of the notes on the pages.
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