Call it a squeezebox, an accordion or any other name, and it sounds just as sweet, right? Maybe not. The accordion is a member of the handheld bellows-driven free reed aerophone family. When played, the compression and expansion of the bellows generates airflow across the reed. This movement of air causes the reed to vibrate, and a musical tone is created. The many forms of the accordion also feature keyboards to control the flow of air to the reeds and produce a greater variety of tones.

Physical Features

The accordion, as we know it today, has a body made of two main parts, with bellows separating two rectangular halves. Each half of the body has a keyboard with piano style keys and buttons or levers. These buttons travel in a direction perpendicular to the movement of the bellows, or toward the performer, when pressed. Our modern accordions have buttons capable of producing entire chords. Traditional concertinas have buttons producing single notes.

Styles of Accordions

There are various types of accordions, each differentiated by the styles and key note systems. Among these styles are the Piano, Chromatic, Concertina and Diatonic accordions.

Chromatic Accordion: This instrument is capable of playing a 46-note chromatic scale. Because the buttons are not diatonic, it has the greatest range of treble noted of any accordion style available these days. Chromatic accordions range in size from those with 20 treble keys and 12 bass buttons, to modern chromatic models featuring 6 treble button rows and 160 bass buttons. These styles are now very popular in Russia.

Concertina Accordion: Known for its unique shape, the concertina may have anywhere from four to twelve sides in cross-section. There is a keyboard at each end of the bellows. Every button delivers an individual note, so a concertina provides no fixed chords. There is such a wide variation of notes and systems, that it can be nearly impossible for a performer of one system to successfully play a different concertina. Instead, the second instrument would have to be relearned.

There are other unique qualities that set this particular instrument apart from the rest. The concertina's buttons, unlike modern accordions, will not produce chords. The buttons also travel parallel to the motion of the bellows, or toward the opposite end of the instrument. Virtually every element, from the internal materials and mechanics to the construction and tone color, are all unique from other styles of accordions. In general, however, the basic standards of sound production are identical.

Diatonic: Many folk and dance troup performers use diatonic accordions. This style produces great sound output. It's also light weight, affordable and easy to play. With a note pattern on the keyboard similar to that of the mouth harmonica, it is simple to play and a favorite choice around the world.

Piano: The piano accordion has become the first truly standardized style, ever since the development of the Stradella bass system. On this style of accordion, the performer can play a number of different styles without changing the system.

Call it what you like, but there's a lot more to the accordion than a simple "squeezebox". If you're interested in playing the accordion, try out a few different types to find the one that suits your style. And, let the party begin!