Accordions

The Accordion is a hand-held, keyed wind instrument, whose sound is generated by squeezing its bellows upon free reeds. It is sometimes referred to as a 'squeezebox'. The keys on the right side are similar to piano keys and are used for melodies, while the buttons on the left-hand side are used to play chords. The straps are worn over the shoulder, like a rucksack across the front. When the accordion is not in use a strap holds the two ends together to prevent the box opening.

The Accordion is a mainstay of blues, folk, bluegrass and Cajun music and is also a popular choice with buskers worldwide due to its portability. They are remarkably agile instruments in spite of their size, capable of swift and delicate melodies, across a wide dynamic range, which is varied by the speed at which the box is squeezed. The range of an accordion is generally form the F below middle C, up one and a half octaves to a C.