Basic Tips for Accordion Beginners
It is a common misconception that all accordions are the same. This is despite the fact there is a wide array of choices available for accordion beginners. This is because some of them are better suited for beginners than others.
Getting to Know the Accordion
Before we begin, it is vital that you familiarize yourself structure of the instrument itself. This is pretty basic. After all, it would make little sense for you to purchase a musical instrument that you do not understand, even on a rudimentary level.
An accordion is made of several different parts and all of them are crucial in terms of how the instrument is able to produce sound. It would serve you well to remember the following components and their purpose for the accordion.
Melody Keys – These are the most prominent buttons on the accordion itself. This is the keyboard part of the instrument and they are pretty hard to miss. The keys work pretty much like piano keys but instead of hitting strings to produce sound, they depend on the wind provided by the player’s breath.
- Bellows – This is one of the most memorable elements of the accordion. It gives the instrument the cartoon-like appearance that makes the accordion so distinct. The bellows are essentially the folds that allow the instrument to expand and contract accordingly.
- Harmonic and Base Air Valves – These buttons serve their own purpose but they all essentially work the same way. They provide air a means to escape and gives the player the ability to adjust the tone of the sound.
- Right Hand Strap – Serving as the primary strap of the instrument, it helps you secure it onto your chest.