Construction

A diatonic button accordionbeing played.

Accordions are made in a large number of different configurations and types. What may be technically possible to do with one accordion could be impossible with another:

• Some accordions are bisonoric, meaning they produce differentpitchesdepending on the direction of bellows movement

• Others are unisonoricand produce the same pitch regardless of the direction of bellows movement

• Some accordions use a chromaticbuttonboard for the right-hand manual

• Others use a diatonicbuttonboard for the right-hand manual

• Yet others use a piano-stylemusical keyboardfor the right-hand manual

• Some accordions are capable of playing in registersdifferent from others

• Additionally, different accordion craftsmen and technicians may tune the same registers in a slightly different manner, essentially "personalizing" the end result, such as an organtechnician mightvoicea particular instrument

Universal components Bellows

	Accordion bellows controlled sounds A sample of effects that can be achieved with the bellows - 949 KB
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

The bellowsis the most recognizable part of the instrument, and the primary means ofarticulation. Similar to aviolin's bow, the production of sound in an accordion is in direct proportion to the motion of the player. It is located between the right- and left-hand manuals, and is made frompleatedlayers of cloth and cardboard, with added leather and metal.^[3]It is used to create pressure and vacuum, driving air across the internalreedsand producing sound by their vibration, applied pressure increasing the volume.

The keyboard touch is not expressiveand does not affectdynamics: all expression is effected through the bellows: some bellows effects as illustrated below:

1. Bellows used for volume control/fade

2. Repeated change of direction ("bellows shake")

3. Constant bellows motion while applying pressure at intervals

4. Constant bellows motion to produce clear tones with no resonance

5. Using the bellows with the silent air button gives the sound of air moving, which is sometimes used in contemporary compositions particularly for this instrument

Body

The accordion's body consists of two wood boxes joined together by the bellows. These boxes house reed chambers for the right- and left-hand manuals, respectively. Each side has grillesin order to facilitate the transmission of air in and out of the instrument, and to allow thesoundto better project. The grille for the right-hand manual is usually larger and is often shaped for decorative purposes. The right-hand manual is normally used for playing the melody and the left-hand manual for playing the accompaniment, however skilled players can reverse these roles.^{[notes 2]}

The size and weight of an accordion varies depending on its type, layout and playing range, which can be as small as to have only one or two rows of basses and a single octaveon the right-hand manual, to the standard 120-bass accordion and through to large and heavy 160-bass free-bass converter models.