Piano accordion
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| Classification | Free-reed aerophone |
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Right-hand manual: F3 to A6 (scientific pitch notation) is the written range for the right-hand manual of a standard 120-bass/41-key piano accordion, three octaves plus a major third. Actual range sounds one octave lower and one octave higher (F2-A7) depending on stops chosen. Left-hand manual |
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A piano accordion is an accordion equipped with a right-hand keyboard similar to a piano or organ. Its acoustic mechanism is more similar to that of an organ than a piano, as they are both wind instruments, but the term "piano accordion"—coined by Guido Deiro in 1910[1]—has remained the popular nomenclature. It may be equipped with any of the available systems for the left-hand manual.
In comparison to a piano keyboard, the keys are more rounded, smaller, and lighter to the touch. These go vertically down the side, pointing inward, toward the bellows, making them accessible to only one hand while handling the accordion.[notes 1]
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[edit] History
The first accordion to feature a piano keyboard was probably the instrument introduced in 1852 by Bouton of Paris.[2] Another source claimed the first piano accordion was introduced in 1854 at the Allegemeine Deutsche Industrieausstellung in München. It was showcased by the instrument builder Mattäus Bauer and quickly became a serious competitor to button accordions[3]. As of 1972 it can be largely said that the piano system dominates the North American continent, England, and certain East European countries, while the button system is generally to be found in Scandinavia, France, Belgium and former Soviet countries[4]. The piano accordion is also predominant in Italy, New Zealand, and Australia.
[edit] Comparison to chromatic button layout
Compared to a chromatic button layout[5], the advantages of using a piano layout on an accordion would be the layout's logical simplicity[notes 2], the relative size of the buttons for fast legato flows, and its layout compared to standard notation[notes 3]. However, it has a relatively smaller range, is too big to reach notes far apart, such as two octaves, and requires more finger movement to operate.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ Felt or rubber is placed under the piano keys to control touch and key noise: it is also used on the pallets to silence notes not sounded by preventing air flow. This material eventually wears with use, resulting in a clacking noise, so has to be replaced to quieten the mechanism.
- ^ One key corresponds to one note, and there are no alternate fingering options.
- ^ With a piano accordion, there is no need to transpose the melody in a piano, organ or harpsichord piece.
[edit] References
- ^ Henry Doktorski, The Brothers Deiro and Their Accordions (The Classical Free-Reed, Inc.: 2005)
- ^ Joseph Macerollo, Accordion Resource Manual, Avondale Press (1980), 17.
- ^ Bjarne Glenstrup, Harmonikaens Historie (1972), The University of Copenhagen (Faculty of Music), p. 41
- ^ Bjarne Glenstrup, Harmonikaens Historie (1972), The University of Copenhagen (Faculty of Music), p. 42
- ^ Dan Lindgren, Piano Accordion vs. Chromatic Button Accordion Online PDF
[edit] External links
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