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the best accordion

Accordion – Opinions, Analysis and Buying Guide in 2022

Considered one of the happiest and most harmonic wind musical instruments, the accordion generates a beautiful sound that is widely used in different musical genres. If you are interested in learning to play the accordion, it is important to know the characteristics of the different models that you will find on the market. Among the most outstanding models is the Canigó AC-CAN02, which is diatonic and is made of cherry wood. In addition, it has 2 rows of buttons, as well as 8 basses for the left hand. On the other hand, if you are looking for a diatonic accordion to give as a gift, we recommend the Hohner A3404, which has elegant gold details.

Comparison chart

Opinions about the best accordions on the market

If you are considering purchasing a new accordion, we recommend you take into account a series of suggestions, in addition to carefully looking at the positive and negative characteristics of each model so that you can choose the best accordion of the moment.

diatonic accordion

Canigou AC-CAN02 Accordion

It is a diatonic accordion made with cherry wood, which is resistant and offers good sound. In addition, it has 2 lines of diatonic buttons for the right hand, that is, without altered notes such as C#, D#, F#, etc. One line is 11 and the other is 10 buttons, so you can make different melodies.

Similarly, the area where the buttons are located is Irish, so you can more easily play the traditional music of that country. Also, we mentioned that it has 8 buttons for the left hand. These will serve to play bass sounds and accompany the melodies you play with your right hand.

In addition to this, it should be noted that the package includes a leather strap and a carrying case, so you do not have to buy these accessories separately.

Next, we explain the most important pros and cons of this diatonic accordion, perhaps they will help you make the best purchase decision.

Pros

Buttons: It has 2 lines of buttons and 8 basses, in total, 29 buttons, so you can play various melodies.

Material: This instrument is made of cherry wood and has an Irish-style button area.

Case: The instrument comes with a padded case made of resistant nylon, so you can store the accordion or transport it comfortably.

Cons

Simplicity: It is not recommended for professional use, so if you have a lot of experience with this type of instrument, you should look for another option.

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Hohner A4822

The Hohner A4822 diatonic accordion is considered an ideal instrument for both beginners and advanced players, and Hohner is considered the best accordion brand. This model features an advanced soundboard that gives it an elegant and attractive appearance, as well as a sound with greater intensity.

The strap that goes on the bass side of this musical instrument is fully adjustable, which allows you to have a greater comfort holding the accordion. This model has 31 buttons, 62 notes and 12 basses.

On the other hand, its measurements are 31 x 19 centimeters and it weighs approximately 4 kilograms, so it is comfortable to carry, in addition to incorporating a practical strap with a cover that will make it easy to take it anywhere.

Before choosing your new accordion, it is important that you look at the positive and negative characteristics of each model. This instrument stands out as an alternative for students or professionals.

Pros

Type : Thanks to being a diatonic type accordion, each note will produce two different tones, depending on the movement of the soundboard.

Buttons : This accordion has 31 buttons with which you can produce 62 notes and 12 basses, giving you the possibility to play different musical genres.

Resonance box : This model sports a modern resonance box that, thanks to its design, improves the intensity of the sound .

Cons

Color : If you are looking for an instrument with a more lively and cheerful design, you should consider another model, since this accordion only comes in black.

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Hohn accordion

Hohner A3404

If you are looking for an ideal Hohner accordion to give as a gift to a loved one, we recommend this model, as it has an attractive design with elegant gold trim. In addition, it is an instrument from a recognized brand that offers a high quality of sound, so it is not just for decoration.

This instrument is diatonic, so the tone of the same note varies if the air enters or leaves the instrument. In addition, its tuning in G and C gives this model a lot of versatility, which is why it is considered an ideal accordion for various musical genres.

This model has 21 buttons distributed in two rows and 8 basses with two voices. On the other hand, its weight is 2.6 kilograms, so it is very light and will allow you to play it for much longer.

Before making a choice, you should be very sure that the functions of the accordion fit your needs. This model has a very elegant design that will make your gift the best of the party.

Pros

Type : This Hohner accordion is of the diatonic type, so you can play twice as many notes thanks to the direction of the air.

Design : This model has a very nice and elegant design with several gold-colored ornaments.

Buttons : It incorporates 21 buttons with which you can produce 42 tones, in addition to having 8 basses.

Cons

Accessory : This product does not include a strap or carrying case, so you will have to look for them independently.

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chromatic accordion

Afindeon Chromatique Mengascini Celty

This chromatic accordion has 50 buttons or notes for the right hand with which you can play various melodies or improvisations. Also, the white buttons offer natural notes, but if you want to play sharp or flat tones, you can use the black buttons. This is a great advantage for being able to play traditional music as well as various modern genres.

Also, it should be noted that major, minor, seventh and diminished chords will not be a problem for this accordion model made by the manufacturer Mengascini. You can even accompany the melodies very well with the 60 buttons for the left hand. In other words, he has 60 basses, in addition to his 3 registers.

Also, we mention that it is made of solid cherry, a highly recommended wood for professional use accordions. In addition to this, the package includes a transport backpack and straps.  

Perhaps it is the best chromatic accordion to accompany traditional festivals in Spain and Central Europe, due to its handcrafted design and the various notes it offers.

Pros

Notes: This accordion offers you all the musical notes, that is, natural, sharp or flat, so you can make the music you want.

Basses: It has 60 basses to accompany the melodies you make with your right hand.

Accessories: The package includes a backpack-type case and straps to hold the accordion more comfortably while you play.

Cons

Weight: Its weight is a bit high, 7 Kg, so you may get tired very quickly when you play standing up.

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button accordion

Scarlatti Accordions ST214 RED

If you are looking for the best value for money accordion, we recommend this

practical model for children, which is considered by most users as one of the cheapest accordion models on the market today. If you want to make a special gift for your child, this is the ideal option.

This beautiful accordion features two bass buttons, plus a side bass air button, and lastly, it has 7 treble buttons tuned to C, giving you a huge range of tones to play.

This model has approximate dimensions of 19.2 x 19 x 11 centimeters and is designed with attractive colors that will encourage the interest of children.

If you still don’t know which is the best accordion to give to a child, we recommend you look at this alternative, which, thanks to its colors and attractive design, all children will want to play it.

Pros

Buttons : This model incorporates a number of 9 main buttons, distributed in 7 treble and 2 bass.

Tuning : The treble tones of this model are tuned to C, ideal for playing simple melodies.

Dimensions : It has a perfect size so that it can be held by almost any child. Its dimensions are 19.2 x 19 x 11 centimeters.

Design : This accordion sports a beautiful and attractive design with red color that is guaranteed to steal the attention of children.

Cons

Bellows : The bellows is made of a hard material that makes it difficult for a small child to play the instrument.

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small accordion

Ofgcfbvxd-MU White

This small accordion is another cheap alternative for children’s accordions, as it contributes to the creativity and intelligence of the little ones, as well as helping them to develop talent. This instrument has an air valve, 2 basses and 7 treble or singer buttons.

This model has a Fit For Most system, which makes the instrument project a pleasant warm accordion sound. It is made with leather, kraft paper and fabric bellows that protects it from tears.

If your son is in the school band, he will love this alternative. It has a modern and very nice design with white, blue and red colors.

If you are still worried about your budget, you can look at this model, which is ideal for use in a school band, in addition to being considered one of the cheapest accordions for children.

Pros

Buttons : This model has a series of 7 buttons for treble and 2 for bass, with which you can play a wide variety of songs.

Materials : The bellows of this product are made of leather, kraft paper and fabric, which protects them from breaking.

Design : This model sports a very attractive modern design and with white, blue and red colors, which makes this instrument the point of attention.

Cons

Price: This model has a slightly higher price than other similar alternatives ideal for children.

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Accordion Accessories

accordion sheet music

Method Complete d´Accordéon

Whether you have a lot of experience with the accordion or you are just starting to play this instrument, it is highly recommended to read some manual or beginner’s guide, where you can learn the correct method to play an accordion correctly.

This is a didactic method with which you will progressively learn the accordion technique.

It includes a CD with some melodies that allow you to exercise each of the things that you are going to learn with these accordion scores. Galliano Méthode Complete d´Accordéon sheet music is a great alternative to start on the right foot with this beautiful instrument.

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How to choose the best accordions

Accordions have great benefits on a creative and mental level, which is why they are highly recommended, both for children and adults. In addition, its sound tends to brighten the environment thanks to its tones and music. Choosing an accordion requires great attention to the most relevant characteristics of each model, however, your main needs will be decisive in the choice. We have felt the need to help you, making a guide to buy the best accordion that will seek to facilitate the task of choosing the most economical and functional model.

Shopping guide

types of accordions

One of the most important aspects that you must take into account when choosing your next accordion is what type of instrument you are looking for, since there are several accordion models that you can find on the market and that produce very different sounds, so that everyone has their favorite musical genre. Remember that the tone of the accordion will depend on the songs that we are going to play.

There are two models of chromatic accordions, those that use piano keys and those that use buttons to produce their sound. Diatonic accordions, on the other hand, are the models that produce a double sound for each note, since when opening the bellows they generate a tone with one note and closing the bellows they produce another tone with the same note.

Fit and comfort

Every instrument must have a high level of comfort, since it is likely that it will be used for a long time. This is why it is very important that you take a good look at the comfort of the instrument. Many times, the level of comfort that the interpreter has will determine a good performance. It is vital that this instrument is well placed ergonomically, since, depending on its size, there are models that can cause posture problems and long-term pain.

Taking this aspect into account, many professionals recommend that, before buying the largest and most beautiful accordion, you worry about choosing the model that best suits your needs. Also, more experienced users recommend that this instrument not be so heavy.

Budget

To a large extent, what determines the price of an accordion is the quality of the materials with which it is made, so there is a risk that, as the accordion becomes cheaper, the instrument will be of lower quality, affecting its durability and performance.

This goes without saying, so to choose the best accordion, avoid asking yourself how much it costs in the first place. Although in any comparison of accordions the issue of price is important, it is highly recommended to look for the model that has the best relationship between quality and price, especially if you are short of budget.

Manufacturing materials

One of the aspects that we must not let go unnoticed is the quality in terms of its manufacture, since like any musical instrument, its conservation and condition must be ensured for as long as possible. Modern accordions are mostly made with steel reeds, bass and chord mechanisms, as well as other areas such as fixing and control levers.

On the other hand, the parts such as the shell or the supports of the reed, known as the bed bases, are made of wood such as cedar, which is subsequently cured to guarantee a perfect sound. In addition, mother-of-pearl has been one of the most used materials for decorative elements and button manufacturing, however, its use has currently been limited, being replaced by plastic materials.

The bellows area is made of goatskin, as it is soft and fine, as well as providing a good degree of flexibility, allowing the accordion to open fully without losing air. Apart from these materials, the accordions are made with fabrics as a decorative element in the bellows area.

Frequently asked questions

Q1: How to play the basses of the accordion?

First of all, you should keep your right wrist parallel to the keyboard, avoiding bending it. Also, you will need to position your elbow to the side of your body, which may seem a bit awkward for inexperienced users at first, but over time you will find that you will be able to achieve better accuracy, as the movement of your hand will not have any effect. obstacle.

Then slide your left hand through the strap behind the box with the bottom buttons so you can curl your fingers over the buttons. The accordion should start playing on the bass and the buttons should be pressed for a short time. There are method manuals that will teach you the correct way to produce the notes with this instrument.

Q2: How to repair an accordion bellows?

Sometimes an accordion bellows will need to be repaired, so first use a small brush to clean any dust that has accumulated on the permeable surface. Next, cut a slightly thin piece of cardboard that is the same size as the hole and can cover it effectively. Put a little glue on one side of the patch to keep it firmly in place.

On top of the patch, place a small piece of wax paper so that the glue does not drip. Wait an hour for the glue to dry completely, and lastly, you’ll need to cut a small strip of tape for the bellows. Lightly press a small layer of glue down one side of the gusset tape, then proceed to attach the tape to the patch and place the wax paper over the tape, firmly compressing the gusset.

Q3: How to tune an accordion?

The vibration that is produced by two equal notes tuned at different heights is called Brío and is one of the most important characteristics that almost all traditional accordions possess. The difference in the heights of the notes that are played in the same octave is responsible for marking the timbre of the instrument. Depending on which tuning method you want, the process is different.

Wet tuning is used on older models with a musette change button. By pressing it, you will be able to tune from reed #3. On the other hand, for dry tuning, choose the reeds at #1 and #2 to adjust the pitch. In both methods, you will need to remove the reed, sand it down, and replace it until you get the optimum tuning.

Q4: What kind of instrument is the accordion?

The accordion is considered a harmonic wind musical instrument, which is made with a bellows, two wooden harmonic boxes and a fingerboard. It works by pressing on its bellows, which compresses the air and produces the sound.

                                            

Q5: How to clean an accordion?

To clean your accordion, you will need: cotton, water, soap and a small cloth. First of all, you will need to take the cotton and clean the outside of the accordion. Lightly moisten the cotton with a little soap and water, then rub gently. It is completely forbidden to use any type of solvent, such as alcohol or a thinner. In no way clean the part that is made of cloth with liquid, since it is extremely sensitive. Only use a dry cloth in that area.

Q6: What is the difference between accordion and bandoneon?

Although the two instruments are externally similar, their operation is different. The most noticeable difference between an accordion and a bandoneon is that they belong to different groups of instruments. While the accordion belongs to the wind instruments, the bandoneon is among the aerophone instruments, due to its vibration. The latter is an instrument dedicated to religious music and in Argentina it was adopted by tango artists.

Q7: How is an accordion inside?

Modern accordions have three main parts or sections, the bellows and the two ends, one high and one low. The reeds that are responsible for producing the different tones and sounds, as well as the electronic components if the accordion is modern, are arranged inside.

Q8: How to restore an accordion?

To carry out the restoration of an accordion, it will be necessary to completely disassemble the instrument until the pieces are completely loose. Then proceed to sand and polish the wood. Carefully clean the sheet metal that has the holes through which the buttons on the treble part of the instrument protrude. Paint and polish the wooden parts until perfect, then reassemble the parts one by one. The bellows should be replaced with a new one, which can be purchased at a music store.

How to use an accordion

Knowing how an accordion works is essential to ensure that its sound is harmonious. In case you have no idea how to play it, it is very important to choose a model according to the beginner level and, if possible, that incorporates a method guide that helps you get started in this world without much difficulty. However, we want to help you below by briefly explaining how to use an accordion correctly.

know your accordion

One of the first steps you must take is to know your accordion in detail. It is about studying the different parts of this musical instrument, what they are called, what they work for and how they should be repaired in the event of a breakdown. If your instrument includes an instruction and method manual, it is important that you take the time to read it. By doing this, the beginning of learning this instrument will be more pleasant. Familiarize yourself with the structure of your accordion, locate the melodic keys and other moving parts.

Get a suitable place

Choose a comfortable and quiet place where you can sit comfortably and play your accordion without anyone bothering you. Try to make it a quiet place so you can concentrate much better.

Put on the instrument

Keep in mind that when you start using this instrument, your left arm will move horizontally and vertically, while your right hand will only move vertically. At first, hold it and hold it until you determine how you feel most comfortable.

Decide the posture

You can decide whether to sit or stand when playing this instrument. Some users prefer to stand while many others prefer to sit while performing their favorite songs. The most important thing is your feeling of confidence to play this instrument and comfort, so you are free to try various positions until you feel comfortable.

get the balance

As this instrument is relatively large and you will need to have the utmost confidence when holding it, it is important to maintain the proper balance to perform at your best. The better balance you get, the better you can hold it and when you get more control, the less uncomfortable you will feel.

Place the instrument on your chest

At this point you should slide your left arm through the strap that has the instrument in the same way as if you were putting a backpack on your chest. Remember to place the piano keys to your right. On the other hand, pass your left arm under the lower strap, which is the small strap that is on the left side of the instrument.

Use the back strap

It can be very helpful to attach an additional strap to the back, which will keep the shoulder straps together, helping to keep the accordion from moving. It is important that you take into account if the strap is too low or high. Consider that if it is very low, the weight of your shoulders will be relieved, for this reason, we recommend keeping the strap a little low.

Remember to give it a maintenance

We all know that musical instruments require very deep care and maintenance, otherwise the instrument will lose its sound quality quickly. It is important that you study and know the main enemies of your instrument, so that you can avoid any of them.

It is vital to be aware of moisture, which is a direct enemy of any object that has wood in its manufacture, so it is advisable to purchase a case or substance that absorbs moisture. On the other hand, blows represent a serious danger, since it is a very vulnerable instrument to blows. This is why professionals choose to purchase cases with padded interiors to absorb the impacts that musical instruments may suffer.

Another of the most frequent reasons related to the deterioration of musical instruments, especially those made of wood, are moths, which in a very short time can devour all the wood, seriously damaging the instrument. For this reason, it is highly recommended to be careful that the accordion model you want to choose has a special varnish that prevents deterioration by pests.

» Review information from previous years

CHEVALLIER 3012BL

Featured in the market as one of the best accordions of 2022, the CHEVALLIER 3012BL is a diatonic accordion with 12 bass buttons, which are widely used in North American Tex-Mex or Norteño musical genres and, in the case of Europeans, used in German folk and Irish folk.

Este instrumento musical viene afinado en tonalidad Do y Fa y, gracias a que es un acordeón tipo diatónico, deberás tener en cuenta que cada nota puede producir un tono distinto, por lo que el rango sonoro es mucho más amplio.

Su peso es de tan solo 4,5 kilogramos y cuenta con un maletín de transporte con dimensiones aproximadas de 42 x 40 x 25 centímetros.

Si buscas un modelo de acordeón que te permita iniciarte con este alegre instrumento, te recomendamos este acordeón diatónico de color azul, ideal para principiantes.

Pros

Tonalidad: Este instrumento musical viene afinado en la tonalidad Do y Fa, por lo que es un instrumento indicado para tocar boleros.

Tipo: El tipo de este acordeón es diatónico, por lo que, dependiente de si estás abriendo o cerrando el fuelle, producirá un sonido distinto.

Peso: Podrás tocar este instrumento cómodamente gracias a que su peso es de tan solo 4.5 kilogramos.

Maletín: Incluye un práctico maletín de transporte que tiene unas dimensiones de aproximadamente 42 x 40 x 25 centímetros.

Contras

Principiante: Es importante que tengas en cuenta que este modelo es indicado para los principiantes y no mucho para conciertos.

STEWART S22

Este acordeón cromático de la marca STEWART es considerado el mejor acordeón, sobre todo si eres un principiante en este instrumento, ya que se te facilitará el aprendizaje gracias a sus características de diseño y uso. Además, este acordeón está fabricado con materiales de alta calidad, por lo que tendrá una larga vida útil.

Los acordeones cromáticos son considerados los tradicionales en los Estados Unidos y en lugar de botones este modelo cuenta con teclas de piano, por lo que las teclas negras producen sonidos bemoles y las teclas blancas sonidos puros. Cuenta con 22 teclas en el lado del cantante y 8 botones de bajo.

Este producto tiene unas dimensiones aproximadas de 30 x 22 x 30 centímetros y pesa unos 5 kilogramos, por lo que será fácil y cómodo de cargar.

Si aún no sabes que acordeón comprar, te recomendamos tomar en cuenta este modelo, el cual es ideal para los usuarios que estén iniciándose en este instrumento.

Pros

Montaje: Este modelo destaca por tener un montaje fácil, por lo que no tendrás complicaciones para comenzar a tocar música.

Botones: Este es un acordeón cromático de piano que, en lugar de tener botones en el lado del cantante, tiene 22 teclas de piano y, en la zona del bajo, cuenta con 8 botones.

Materiales: Garantiza tener una buena resistencia y larga vida útil, gracias a que está fabricado con materiales de calidad.

Contras

Peso: Es un instrumento musical más pesado que otros modelos, por lo que te puedes llegar a cansar más rápido.

» Revisa la información de años anteriores

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