The accordion is a free-reed, bellows-driven musical instrument that combines melody, harmony, and rhythm in a single, portable instrument.
The accordion is a portable keyboard instrument classified as a free-reed aerophone. It consists of the bellows (the expandable central part that pushes air through reeds), the treble section (usually a piano-style keyboard or rows of buttons for melody), a bass section (buttons that provide chords and bass notes), and reeds (thin metal strips that vibrate when air passes over them, producing sound). Its unique feature is that it allows performers to play melody and accompaniment simultaneously, making it a "one-person orchestra."
The accordion was patented in Vienna in 1829 by Cyril Demian, although earlier prototypes like Friedrich Buschmann's Handäoline (1822) influenced the design of the accordion. By the mid-19th century, the accordion spread across Europe, adapting to local traditions. Immigrants brought it to the Americas, where it became central to genres such as tango in Argentina and conjunto in Mexico. Today, it exists in many forms, including piano accordions, chromatic button accordions, and digital accordions.
An accordion is made of hundreds of parts, often hand-assembled, including the bellows (leather, cardboard, and cloth layers reinforced with metal corners), reeds (steel or brass, mounted on reed blocks), keyboards/buttons (wood or plastic, connected to levers that open air valves), grille (decorative cover protecting the treble side), and straps (shoulder and hand straps for stability).
The manufacturing process is labor-intensive and highly artisanal, involving woodworking (crafting the treble and bass casings), bellows assembly (folding and sealing multiple layers for airtightness), reed making (cutting, tuning, and waxing reeds onto reed blocks), keyboard and button installation (precise alignment ensures smooth playability), and final tuning and testing (each reed is tuned individually, often by ear). High-quality accordions can take months to build, with many steps still done by hand.
The main types of accordions include the piano accordion, the chromatic button accordion, the diatonic button accordion, the bayan, the bandoneon, the concertina, and digital accordions.
The piano accordion features a piano-style keyboard on the right-hand side. It is easy for pianists to adapt to, and is most common in Western classical, jazz, and popular music, particularly in France.
The chromatic button accordion (CBA) uses rows of buttons rather than piano keys, offering a broader range in a more compact space. It is popular in Eastern Europe, Russia, and France, especially in polka, folk, jazz, classical, and rock.
Central to folk traditions in Ireland (norteño, conjunto), and Cajun/Zydeco music, the diatonic button accordion utilizes buttons tuned to a diatonic scale (different notes when pushing versus pulling the bellows), producing a bright, rhythmic sound.
The bayan is a Russian variant of the chromatic button accordion, and is known for its deep, rich tone, as well as its use in classical and folk music.
Square-shaped, with buttons on both sides, the bandoneon is essential in Argentine tango. It offers fewer chord options but is highly expressive.
The concertina is a smaller, hexagonal cousin of the accordion. Popular in English, Irish, and South African folk music, it comes in Anglo (diatonic) and English (chromatic) systems.
Digital accordions are modern electronic versions that simulate traditional sounds. It is lightweight, versatile, and capable of producing multiple instrument voices.
Regional variations using an accordion include French musette, which is often played on piano or chromatic button accordions; Tex-Mex/Norteño, in which the diatonic button accordion dominates; Brazilian forró, using diatonic accordions with rhythmic emphasis; and polka traditions in which both piano and button accordions are widely used.
In essence, piano and button accordions dominate globally, while specialized types like the bandoneon, bayan, and concertina thrive in specific cultural traditions.
Informational websites focused on the accordion are appropriate topics for this part of our guide, while e-commerce sites selling accordions may be found in the Musical Instruments category of our Shopping & eCommerce area.
Recommended Resources
Led by Patricia Bartell, a world-champion accordionist, teacher, and author, Accordion Life Academy is an online school for accordion instruction. It includes structured courses, beginner through advanced video lessons, sheet music, and demonstrations for piano, chromatic, free bass, and more. The Accordion Masterclass Live is available on Zoom with group lessons, tips, and community activities. Other resources include e-books and sheet music, and free introductory videos.
https://accordionlife.com/
An online accordion-teaching platform created and taught by Ronen Segall, the site uses video lessons, sheet music, practice resources, and a song library. Video lessons teach right- and left-hand technique, musical foundations, rhythms, and improvisation, and its song library features printable sheet music and note-by-note video lessons for each song. Other resources include articles and guides on practicing, ear training, beginner songs, and buying an accordion.
https://accordionlove.com/
Affiliated with Accordions Worldwide (AWW), Accordion USA is an online publication dedicated to the accordion, particularly within the United States. The publication offers news of concerts, festivals, workshops, museum exhibits, artist news, and community announcements across the accordion world. It reports on recent performances, premieres, tours, and other information relevant to the accordion community, along with profiles, interviews, reviews, and historical pieces.
https://accordionusa.news/
Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International
The ATG is a professional organization founded to promote excellence in accordian education, performance, and repertoire development. Established in 1940 by a group of founding members to improve teaching standards, expand accordion music, and support the instrument's worldwide development, the ATG offers membership to performers, teachers, students, and enthusiasts and sponsors festivals, member-only sheet music, discussion groups, and other events. Contacts and schedules are posted.
https://www.atgaccordions.com/
Powered by an XenForo script, The Accordionists Forum is an open discussion board for anything related to the accordion, including folk, classical, jazz, and rock, along with learning methods, repairs, digital/midi instruments, and other topics, including member accomplishments, events, and a member marketplace for accordions and accessories wanted or for sale. Forum content is read-only for non-members, but membership and a login are free. A search field is included.
https://www.accordionists.info/
American Accordionists' Association
The AAA is an American association dedicated to players of the accordion. Established in 1938, it is currently based in Mt. Vernon, New York. The organization holds an annual accordion festival as well as other activities and events, which are featured on its website. Its board of directors, affiliations, and contact details are provided, along with membership information, a membership forum, the history of the organization, breaking news, and an online store.
https://www.ameraccord.com/
North American Accordion Collaborative
The NAAC is a non-profit organization that builds opportunities for accordionists through education, outreach, performance, and instrument access. Its stated mission is to preserve, promote, and expand accordion playing and education across North America, for which it hosts educational outreach programs, an international accordion initiative, and an accordion access program that facilitates instrument drives and partnerships to provide accordions to students and programs in need.
https://thenaac.org/
This is an accordion-focused project and website run by accordionist Denny Kremblas that promotes modern accordion culture through videos, lessons, blog posts, and a small shop. Included are performance videos and tutorials featuring contemporary pop covers and technique, free educational tools such as an accordion chord chart and instructional blog, an online contact form, and an online shop offering merchandise and learning aids for players at various levels.
https://www.squeezeandthanks.com/
Billing itself as the world's largest collection of accordions and related instruments, the museum is located in Superior, Wisconsin. Its hours are seasonal and limited; the museum's website features its address, telephone number, schedules, and visitor details. The museum houses an extensive, eclectic collection of accordion-family instruments and cultural artifacts, along with a library, exhibits on repair and construction techniques, and rare and unusual accordions.
https://www.worldofaccordions.org/
