Garmoshka

Garmoshka is a small portable button accordion used in traditional Slavic folk music, especially in Russia and Ukraine. It has a compact body, a button keyboard on the treble side, and a set of bass and chord buttons on the opposite side. Sound is produced by bellows that push air through metal reeds. The right-hand melody is played on the melody buttons, while the left hand provides accompaniment with bass notes and chords. The instrument generally covers a limited range, suitable for many folk tunes and vocal accompaniment.

Origins and use: The garmoshka developed in Eastern Europe as a regional variant of the broader accordion family. It became common among rural and urban folk musicians for accompanying songs, dances, and street performances. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries it remained popular in traditional ensembles and was central to folk music revivals in some regions. Various local designs exist, with different numbers of melody rows and bass configurations, reflecting regional playing styles and repertoires.

Names and distinctions: In Russian, the instrument is called garmoshka (гармошка); it is related to but smaller than other accordions such as the bayan and larger concertina-like instruments. Its defining features are the small size, diatonic melody layout, and a simpler left-hand bass-chord system, which set it apart from more chromatic or multi-row instruments. Today, garmoshkas are used in folk performances, music education, and cultural heritage projects, and they remain a symbol of traditional folk practice in parts of Eastern Europe.