akkordeon

Akkordeon, known in English as the accordion, is a portable reed wind instrument that produces sound when air is pushed or pulled through metal reeds by expanding or contracting bellows. It is played by pressing keys or buttons on one side to select pitches and by moving the bellows to drive the air flow, which vibrates the reeds.

Most accordions have a melody keyboard on the right-hand side and a bass/chord buttonboard on the left. The right-hand system may be a piano keyboard or a row of buttons, while the left-hand side provides bass notes and pre-set chords. There are several regional and stylistic variants, including chromatic and diatonic layouts, and two broad families: piano accordions and button accordions.

Sound production relies on free reeds housed in reed blocks. When a key or button is pressed, a valve opens and air from the bellows flows through a reed, causing it to vibrate and produce a pitch. The bellows control dynamics and phrasing, and the instrument’s range typically spans multiple octaves depending on the model.

History and distribution: the accordion was developed in the early 19th century in Europe, with contributions attributed to makers in Germany and Austria. It rapidly spread to many countries and became central to various folk traditions, classical compositions, and popular music. The instrument is used worldwide in genres such as folk, tango-adjacent styles, Cajun and Zydeco, and contemporary ensemble music.

Today the Akkordeon remains a versatile and widely manufactured instrument, available in a range of sizes and tonalities for amateur and professional players.