Accordion Parts

Accordion is a musical instrument played by compression and expansion of a bellows, which generates air flow across the reed. It has keyboard controls which reeds receive air flow, producing the tones. Just like the other musical instruments, the accordion has a number of parts that play different functions. However, these accordion parts work together to produce the exact, great quality tones that accordion is well-acclaimed of.

Here are the major parts of accordion:

The Bellows

The bellows are said to be the “heart” of the accordion. It is this accordion part that creates the volume by forcing air through the reeds. As you may know, controlling the air flow with the bellows for dynamics and expression is one thing that is unique to accordion.

The Reeds

The reeds have long been considered as the most vital part of an accordion’s sound quality. This is for the fact that the reeds are the ones that produce the accordion’s sound. Technically, this particular accordion part is consists of thins steel, which is riveted at one end of the reed plate. The other end of the reed is free to vibrate in and out of the slot, especially when air pressure is supplied from the bellows. This accordion part has plates that are mounted on reed blocks, which are typically made of poplar wood. And, this part has leathers that work to moderate the flow of air.

Switches

Switches function to open or close one or more sets of reeds, through the register slides in the reed blocks. It is noted that the more reeds in an accordion, the more switches become available.

Air Button

Another important accordion part is the air button, which mainly operates the valve that allows the bellows to open and close without the accordion making any sound. The air button is typically situated on the side of the bass board, or is the very top bass button.

Valves

The valves are generally what allow the air to enter into the reed.
Treble Keyboard

This accordion part has basically the same layout as the piano. Note that in this part, the lowest note is at the top when you look at it from the front.

Tone Chamber

Also called “Cassoto”, the tone chamber is actually the box into which a set of reeds is placed. Cassoto is actually the general term used for any instrument with reeds in a chamber. It is this accordion part which gives the instrument a rich and full sound.

Grille

The grille covers the treble valves and mechanisms of the keyboard. This accordion part is employed to decorate the accordion, and the grille usually displays the brand name or logo of the manufacturer. It is also usually vented to let a louder treble sound. However, this is also used as a muting mechanism.