The Accordion Through Time

The accordion is an age-old instrument, but its music can still be heard today in everything from contemporary country to traditional ballads to alternative rock.

There is a colorful and fascinating history to the humble accordion. The instrument's family tree can be traced back centuries to about 500 BC. During the time of Confucius, at about 551-479 BC, the Chinese used an instrument called a Sheng or Cheng, believed to be the first instrument to use a free vibrating reed. This ancient principle still provides the basis of sound production still used in many of today's instruments.

In 1829, a Viennese instrument maker named Cyrillus Damian is said to have created the first "true" accordion. Many historical resources suggest that Mr. Damian held the first patent to an instrument of that name, and he received royal patronage for his invention. Conflicting reports say that the first accordion actually appeared in 1822, when a fellow by the name of Christian Friedrich Buschmann added some expanding bellows to a small portable keyboard, and utilized a reed that vibrated within the instrument. Buschmann's instrument was dubbed the "hand-aeoline", and in 1828 he toured to increase awareness of the instrument's popularity.

Regardless of who actually "invented" the modern accordion style, the popularity did certainly take off. Following that era, several varieties of free-vibrating reed instruments were developed. Some of them are still considerably well known today. As the instrument enjoyed growing popularity, the demand for instruction manuals began to increase. According to certain historical resources, the first accordion textbook featured both original music, and arrangements of familiar pieces. The book, written by Adolf Reisner, was published in Paris in 1832. Countless textbooks and manuals have been created and distributed since then.

From 1830 onwards, the development of the accordion continued at a rapidly accelerating pace. Several varieties of instrument were further developed such as the bandoneon, a chromatic model and even the harmonica, all of which still exist today. Perhaps one of the interesting developments from this period was the introduction of the Schrammel, a complicated instrument that made its debut onstage with a Viennese quartet comprised of a bass guitar and two violins. The Schrammel became popular at Viennese gatherings and can still be heard today.

The first piano accordion was introduced to the public in 1863. Many performers regarded it as a means of liberating themselves from the confines of their massive, immobile walls of pipes. Pietro Diero, a musician of the time, brought his custom built piano accordion to the United States, and would gain the title of "the Father of American accordion playing".

During the early part of the twentieth century, several accordion manufacturers began to establish their companies. These manufacturers met the needs and pressures of professional accordion players, and formed the standard size and shape of the instrument, as we know it today.

Hundreds of years have passed in the timeline of the accordion, but it remains an international phenomenon. Although there are still accordion manufacturers in the United States, their numbers are quite small compared to those in Europe. Germany, France, Italy and Russia are still important players in the making and export of today's accordions.

The accordion is an ancient instrument, but remains an important element of today's music. From traditional pieces to modern melodies, the accordion enjoys lasting appeal.

By: Flora Murkett

Flora Murkett writes for a variety of popular Internet magazines, on activity family and hobbies and activities issues.
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