ACCORDIONS
The
button accordion is the Band's main instrument. Unlike
the piano accordion, these instruments play different notes according
to whether the bellows is being compressed or expanding, exactly as a
harmonica plays different notes when blown or sucked, and in the same
pattern. The piano
accordion has a piano keyboard, and each key plays the
same note
whichever way the bellows is working.
The player's right hand plays the melody notes, while the left
hand plays keys that produce chords on a button accordion, bass notes
on a piano accordion.
Button accordions can be very simple one-row instruments playing just a
major scale, with very few chord buttons, or complex and versatile
multi-row powerhouses. The simple ones are often known as melodeons.
Next time you're at a Band peformance, check out how many different
accordions you can see!
But while you're here, you may like to visit www.melodeon.net - come back soon!
