Accordions - Directory w/ AI Reviews

Piano accordions, button accordions, and concertinas

The accordion is a bellows-driven free-reed instrument played by compressing and expanding the bellows while pressing keys or buttons on both sides. It is a uniquely self-contained instrument, capable of producing melody, harmony, and bass simultaneously. The accordion is central to a remarkably diverse range of musical traditions, from French musette to tango, zydeco, polka, and folk music worldwide.

History

The accordion was patented in 1829 by Cyrill Demian in Vienna, though similar free-reed instruments existed earlier in various forms. It spread rapidly across Europe and the Americas in the 19th century, becoming a folk music staple in virtually every country it reached. The piano accordion (with a piano-style keyboard) became dominant in the Americas, while button accordions remained popular across Europe.

Characteristics

The accordion produces sound when air from the bellows flows over metal reeds, with different reeds sounding on the push and pull of the bellows. The right hand plays melody on a piano keyboard or button board, while the left hand operates bass buttons that play single notes and preset chords. Registers (switches) change the combination of reed sets used, altering the timbre from bright to mellow.

Notable Players

Astor Piazzolla revolutionized tango music with his bandoneon (a type of concertina related to the accordion), blending it with jazz and classical elements. Clifton Chenier was the "King of Zydeco," whose piano accordion playing defined the genre in Louisiana. "Weird Al" Yankovic, a trained accordionist, has kept the instrument visible in popular culture through his comedic performances.

Buying Guide

A 48-bass or 72-bass piano accordion is a good starting size that's manageable in weight while offering enough range for most music. Weight is a major consideration; full-size 120-bass accordions can weigh 25 pounds or more, which is fatiguing for extended play. Reputable brands include Hohner, Roland (digital accordions), and Weltmeister, with the used market offering excellent value on quality Italian-made instruments.

Fun Facts

The accordion was once so popular in America that more accordions were sold in the U.S. in the 1950s than guitars. The world's largest accordion, built in Italy, weighs over 500 pounds and stands over 6 feet tall.

Hohner Morino IV 120 Bass Piano Accordion 1 4.8 New Hohner Morino IV 120 Bass Piano Accordion Hohner $5,200 Professional Germany 1 review The pinnacle of German accordion engineering with 120-button stradella bass, four-voice reed configuration with cassotto chambers, and premium spruce bellows frame delivering exceptional tonal balance. Roland FR-8X V-Accordion 2 4.8 New Roland FR-8X V-Accordion Roland $6,999 Professional Italy 1 review Flagship digital accordion with Physical Behavior Modeling recreating Italian musette, French bal-musette, Bandoneon, and Bayan voices in a single instrument. Saltarelle Chromatic Button Accordion Concert 3 4.8 New Saltarelle Chromatic Button Accordion Concert Saltarelle $6,500 Professional Italy 1 review Cutting-edge chromatic button accordion with crystalline tone production, handcrafted Italian reeds, and extraordinarily sensitive bellows for professional classical performance. 4 4.7 New Pigini Princess 37 Piano Accordion Pigini $1,850 Beginner Italy 1 review A compact 37-key Italian piano accordion with four registers and individually tuned reeds, offering sophisticated voicing and portable size for solo and ensemble performance. Scandalli Air 41 Button Accordion 5 4.7 New Scandalli Air 41 Button Accordion Scandalli $2,100 Intermediate Italy 1 review Lightweight 41-button accordion designed for folk ensembles and outdoor performances, with advanced bellows and mid-range clarity optimized for ensemble work. 6 4.7 New Castagnari C-Series Button Accordion Castagnari $3,200 Advanced Italy 2 reviews The Castagnari C-Series is a handcrafted Italian button accordion with punchy attack, singing sustained tones, and superb bellows control, purpose-built for traditional folk, tango, and cabaret music with premium hardwood construction. Roland FR-4X Digital Accordion 7 4.6 New Roland FR-4X Digital Accordion Roland $3,995 Intermediate Japan 1 review Revolutionary digital accordion with authentic bellows simulation and 120-button stradella bass, reproducing Italian, French, and German accordion traditions. Hohner Bravo III 72 Bass Piano Accordion 8 4.5 New Hohner Bravo III 72 Bass Piano Accordion Hohner $1,199 Intermediate China 1 review An intermediate 72-bass accordion with Italian-made reeds and three treble register switches, offering genuine Hohner sound in a durable ABS body that is lighter and more manageable than full-size models. Hohner Amica III 72 Piano Accordion 9 4.4 New Hohner Amica III 72 Piano Accordion Hohner $1,299 Beginner Germany 1 review A legendary student accordion with 72 keys and 34 buttons delivering warm, mellow tone, featuring lightweight aluminum reed plates and a reliable bellows system proven across decades of student use. 10 4.2 New Weltmeister Stella 40 Piano Accordion Weltmeister $2,450 Intermediate Germany 1 review German-crafted mid-level piano accordion with 40 keys and 120 bass buttons, offering bright articulate tone and impressive bellows responsiveness for serious hobbyists.