The accordion is a member of a family of box-shaped musical instruments of the bellows-driven free reed aerophone type (producing sound as air flows past a reed in a frame).
Played by:
Bruce Hornsby on:
- The Way It Is (album)
- Scenes from the Southside
- Night on the Town (album)
- Harbor Lights (album)
- Hot House
- Here Come the Noisemakers
- Greatest Radio Hits
- Bride of the Noisemakers
Jeff Taylor on:
History of the accordion
The accordion was invented in the early 19th century, with roots tracing back to ancient free-reed instruments in China, such as the **sheng**. In 1822, **Christian Friedrich Ludwig Buschmann** of Berlin is often credited with developing the first instrument that resembles the modern accordion, though several other inventors contributed to its evolution.
By the mid-19th century, accordions spread across Europe and later globally, becoming a staple in folk music traditions in countries such as France, Italy, Russia, and South America. The instrument’s adaptability and portability made it popular in many cultural contexts, from tango music in Argentina to polka in Central Europe.
Types of accordion
- Diatonic accordion: Has buttons for melody and chords, usually in one or more specific keys.
- Chromatic accordion: Has a wider range, offering all notes in the chromatic scale, with buttons or a piano-style keyboard.
- Piano accordion: Features a piano-like keyboard for the right hand, and buttons for bass and chords on the left side.
- Button accordion: Uses buttons on both sides, preferred in traditional folk music.
Well-known for playing
Several musicians and composers have become famous for their accordion performances:
- Astor Piazzolla: An Argentine tango composer and bandoneon player (a type of accordion), known for revolutionizing tango music with a fusion of classical and jazz elements.
- Lawrence Welk: An American bandleader and accordionist famous for his “champagne music” style and his long-running TV show.
- Art Van Damme: A jazz accordionist who pushed the instrument’s boundaries in the jazz world.
- Yann Tiersen: A French musician known for his accordion-driven soundtracks, especially for the movie Amélie.
- Clifton Chenier: A pioneer of Zydeco music, blending Creole and Cajun sounds with blues and rhythm & blues on the accordion.
- “Weird Al” Yankovic: A well-known American parodist who often features the accordion in his comedic music.
The accordion remains a versatile instrument, featured in everything from classical music to modern popular styles, especially in folk and world music genres. Its distinct sound and cultural significance make it an enduring and influential instrument across the globe.