Music is the healer to so many problems. Sound becomes music with the help of several instruments and sounds. For this, today we are here to discuss a very authentic and extraordinary instrument. The instrument that was invented in Berlin. This is a very widespread instrument across the world. From Europe to America it’s the essence of an immigrant.
It is also used in two forms of music like pop music and folk music. This can also be a part of Jazz music, societies cajun or zydeco etc. The ancient name to this family is “harmonika” which in Greek is said “harmonikos” meaning “harmonic instruments”. This particular instrument has seen its usage in several fields and genres from traditional folk to jazz and pop. The accordion is a very famous and popular musical instrument.
What is An Accordion?
An accordion is a box in the form of a family having different types of musical instrument. This has the bellows driven free-reed aerophone which is also referred to as a squeezebox. A player who is associated with accordion is called an accordionist.
This is also associated with a harmonium or an American reed organ. The only difference between an accordion and the other two is that the latter can be kept one ground and played whereas an accordion is not so. This was developed in the early 19th century.
The instrument is played by compressing and expanding the keys. This act allows air to pass through the strips of the brass or steels referred to as reeds causing the pallets to open and the sound is generated using the bars in music. To make the instruments sound louder one needs to use the valves on the opposite side of the reed. This has to be done without leaking air from each reed.
Best Accordions for Beginners
There are several accordions in the market and you cannchoose the best for yourself. But after reading so many articles and reviews all around the corner it is very natural to get confused but here, we are to review some of the best accordions.
Here we shall discuss the features of the best accordions and the pros and cons of it. Also having a good review does not mean you can buy it. You need to understand your requirements and the kind of product that suits you the best. You can understand this further in the following guide which will make it easier for you to make a purchase.
1. Hohner Compadre GCF Accordion
The German manufacturer of musical instruments is very old and popular in accordions as well. This particular product has a rating of around 4+/5 by most of its users.
This is a three-row diatonic button accordion with the G key. This usually comes in black color and is great for beginners. This can be a great accordion for anyone who is looking for a small and compact product.
This is a perfect accordion for fresh hands i.e. for the beginners. A light weighted product and flexible. The left hand brass is quite flexible and can be adjusted accordingly. This feature is really important in an accordion. This is also one of the most famous and old accordions. As the statement goes – old is gold, this accordion surely fulfils this statement.
Pros:
- Have three rows of treble keys
- A good product for beginners and perfectly fits in the group of “starter accordion”
- The left-hand brass can also be adjusted
Cons:
- As per the weight, this product is heavy for beginners
- The design could have been better
- Not suitable for multiple genres of music
2. Trinity College AP-1230 Accordion
The 30 bottom is differently shaped instruments compared to other accordions. This is said to be the replication of authentic products from the 19th century Germany.
This provides both Angle and English type model. This being an authentic replica, has the function of different types of genres that too almost perfectly.
A great instrument for folk artists and people who are experts. This is absolutely the perfect choice for classical music.
This authentic adjustable product is fancy as well as very traditional. The replication sometimes feels like the authentic product itself if anyone is unaware. Really nice and flexible product which one can surely have. Good for beginners as well. The product is also not very heavy but not too light. The designs to this accordion are quite ancient. If someone has love for old things, he or she can surely try hands on this particular product.
Pros:
- Handicraft instrument, authentic product
- Adjustable hand straps are available on each side
- Black fabric is present which is covered below with 8 folds
Cons:
- Has an ancient look which may not go with modern ideas
- The bag with this is useless and adds extra weight
- Quite heavy
3. Fever Piano Accordion
A piano accordion is an accordion which is equipped with a piano keyboard on the right-hand side. But the keys to this are much lighter, smaller and round as compared to the real piano.
This is quite a different type of accordion and is great for beginners. This product also has the accordion straps included in it and is exactly like accordion infused with features of apian.
One who has knowledge of pan should always begin with this product. This has got 22 amazing melody keys and this feature is really helpful to create different genres of compositions. Found in very less accordions this special key features makes this accordion a unique one. This accordion is very light weight and is sturdy.
Pros:
- Has got 22 melody keys
- Very light in weight
- Have two durable metal brasses on both sides
Cons:
- Color combinations for this product are very less
- The product is very light for heavy music or tone
4. Hohner 3100GB Panther Accordion
Yet another product from the bran Hohner which proves how reliable this German company is. The product has got a double strap and also three-row diatonic.
Quite a lightweight product with resound quality which is great for a solo play as well as a play in a group. With this accordion, you can play tunes like G, C as well as F like that of some best banjos.
This product is foam padded and has a durable lining to it. This compact product is very easy to play using 31 treble keys that come with 12 bass buttons. There is also a polishing cloth available which keeps the dirt, grime or fingerprints away from the instrument. This cloth keeps the instrument ever shining, beautiful and steady.
Pros:
- Lightweight, compact and good for beginners
- The keys like G, C, and F are used
- Has a thinning cloth available with it to keep the product shiny and beautiful
Cons:
- Design do not look up to the mark
- Color variations are not good
5. Ammoon Concertina Accordion
The gorgeous red pine Ammoon Concertina accordion is just as useful as its bright color. Known for its looks, this beauty is a darling to many accordion players.
Very much used in different genres of music from jazz to folk to pop to rock, this beauty has been the center of attractions at many places. It’s a perfect accordion for every age group and every level of music learning.
If you are looking for something classy and different you should totally go for this one. Also, a great product at a very reasonable price if compared to others. The special feature of having 20 keys and 40 reeds make this accordion unique.
Pros:
- The color has to be the first pro
- The price is really reasonable
- Has 20 keys, 40 reeds and 2.5 octaves
Cons:
- The straps are said to be not very hard or strong
- The vibrant colors of this product are not appreciated everywhere
Beginner Accordion – Buying Guide
Buying any new things require a guide or the knowledge of that particular thing. Hence here we are with a buying guide for an Accordion. The things that we will discuss here are the specifications or points one needs to consider. There are different types of accordion-like starter accordion, accordion for experts etc. Here we will discuss all the aspects of buying accordion.
It’s a very tough choice to buy an accordion. There are many points one needs to consider like the color, shape, size, type, age, price etc.
Type of Accordion
There are several types of the accordion. Before selecting the type, you need to clarify what sort of music you are going for. There are plenty of options available in the market but it is very important to note your priority. Also, the type depends on the type of genre you are willing to play as in jazz, rock, folk or classical. Although the tones and sounds are similar, they do vary for different cultures.
Size and Weight
If you are a beginner and starting off with the accordion play safe and go for a small and lightweight material. But if you are in the business since a long time then you can definitely try your hand on a big accordion which is made for experts. The sound usually does not differ with the size but the number of tunes you can play might differ with the size.
Ease of Playability
The accordion you are going for, should be very easy and flexible to play. The tuning is a very important aspect for any player. If the tuning is correct then it becomes easy to play as well. This also results in a great performance. It is also very important to know your accordions age. A very old accordion is also not good hence check the game before buying. The compression of the accordion should be good. There ought to be some space between chambers but the accordion should not leak.
Budget and Brand
If you are a beginner, go for a slightly lower priced accordion as you will eventually trade this for a good one. As you advance in learning, your expectation from the product and yourself will increase as a result you will opt for a better product. If you are an expert, you can definitely go for some of the best accordions and brands in the market. What are the best accordion brands and what is the exact accordion-type one should go shall be discussed right next?
Conclusion
This article is the ultimate mystery box for your accordion. From buying guide to accordions history to reviewing certain accordions, this article has it all. Not only so but also topics like how much does an accordion cost, best accordion, accordion for starters etc has also been covered. We hope after reading our article you will get a thorough knowledge about the instrument and it will help you.
Buying an instrument is just the initial task but the main work is to get into the instrument and adopt it while playing. Not every instrument is made for you once or for trial and error method to find out your perfect match. Often it is believed that an instrument that did not work for the other person may be not good for you as well but my friend this may not be the case. So, go find your perfect match like you do for your 808 VST plugin.