Two things you mustn't do: - Never attempt to expand or compress the bellows of an accordion without a key, button or the valve release button pressed. Doing so can damage the reeds and make it sound out of tune. - Never expose an accordion to extreme heat or cold. The reeds of the accordion contain wax (to hold them in place), which can obviously melt if it gets too hot, but can also crack if it gets too cold. Don't leave it in a car for a prolonged period.
this is definitely the most intimidating instrument i have ever seen. all the buttons, the keyboard and the flow of air! its to much at once haha my gears are already grinding!
@@surialpaca6542 How exactly is a bagpipe more complicated than an organ? It works like an oboe with a reservoir and it plays like a recorder. Also, is 18-string guitar really the most strings you could come up with? You could've said harp for example.
"this is not a video about playing the accordion, its about how the mechanism inside of it works" You just said what I didnt like this video to be and what I exactly wanted this video to be. You deserve the top search result spot~
The slow motion of the reeds at the end was the most interesting part. I never thought about how they produce sound but of course that movement makes sense. So Cool
Yup, accordions are the best. I added some hall effect sensors to the bass section of one of mine, glued some magnets to the ends of the base buttons and programmed them up to an Arduino to create MIDI. I can then connect it to most cheap auto-accompaniment keyboards for hours of fun! I just found your channel and am so impressed!
Being an organ builder, I recognize the rollerboard/tracker assembly in the chord button section of the accordion. This was invented about 1000 years ago soon after the organ was introduced into Europe by the Moors.
Sir, you have uncovered one of my lifelong mysteries!!! Thanks a lot for this video. I imagined it would be a complex mechanism, but it is also really beautiful and ingenious!
Thank you so much for this video. It’s the exact video that I needed to find. From a lifelong multi-instrumentalist that has played everything except accordion and has an old Italian grandfather that would really enjoy playing his accordion again. Found his recently and now have to repair it without any understanding of the instrument. So, again, thank you. This is beyond helpful. Best to you 😊
That's so cool! I love teardowns explaining this kind of mechanical contraption. I like that method of transferring one input into a selection of outputs, with the pin rollers used as an intermediate stage...
I started watching this video with questions I didn't know I had, and now I have the answers to them all haha. Excellent video, every explanation is very detailed and easy to follow.
very helpful. helped me repair my stuck buttons. oh also i noticed that you have the same accordion as me only i have it in Black. its a cheap 400€ Accordion from China, wich i whole heartedly reccommend for anyone starting out (or starting again after a 13 year break in my case)
It's easy if you already know what buttons they are and memorize and if you memorize them buttons you can play the piano and pay more attention to it... It's easy if you keep practicing the buttons
I was recently thinking about learning how to play the accordion, the sound is awesome and I've been fascinated by reeds ever since I tried making my own accordion out of a melodica and a foot pump. Very good video and perfect timing too!
It's just amazing to see what humans can engineer. It must've been a colossal effort for instrument makers back in the day. Thank you for this breakdown!
So that's a pretty simple Piano Accordion, of course there are other types like Button Accordions, Luttbeg Double Keyboard Piano Accordions, Free Bass Accordions, Concertinas, you name it.
My accordion tutor book said that beginners think the bellows is the easy part and the left hand buttons are the hard part, but you'll know you are an accordionist when you understand that the left hand buttons are the easy part and the bellows are the hard part.
If you do want to take on the daunting task of tuning free reeds, I suggest practicing on a basic harmonica. You won't break the bank or cry when it inevitably becomes unplayable, and you have 20 reeds to screw up before you have to get another to experiment with. Hopefully by then you'll know what to do and what not to do on larger and more valuable instruments. Combine this with draw bends (as a means of throwing reeds out of tune maybe) for maximal annoyment of the neighbors.
Great video. Exactly what I was hoping to see & understand. What I don’t understand Is, what Genius mind could’ve imagined this insanely complex instrument! I mean who really invented the accordions 🪗? To my mind this is the most complex instrument invented with the exception if perhaps 🤔 the pipe organ. Must be very expensive to tune an accordion. Far more expensive than tuning my piano. And it shouldn’t need tuning often...I don’t imagine, unless it’s played in a driving rain 🌧 where the reeds could get wet. That’s unlike woodwind instruments played with the very wet mouth. One won’t really worry about changing the reeds too often. Seems, wear & tear are the accordion’s major enemy. Incredible video. Blows my mind🤯.
Looks like some of the buttons correspond to -- i.e., push down first, before triggering the rotation of the cylinders -- vertical bars that themselves open valves. With these buttons, it seems there should be an ever-so-slight delay between the sounding of the "directly linked" note and the notes that follow indirectly from the twofold action of the cylinder spikes and gold bars. (Assuming you start pumping air through the valves immediately as or just before hitting the buttons.) Have you tried playing back music from the chord buttons in slow-mo to see if the lag becomes perceptible?
Question to anyone willing to respond Can I ask where air comes in and out? I was wondering how the exhaust button to the accordions side, exhausts air when I don’t feel anything or see any vents. Thank you
Such an interesting Instrument! I never stopped to appreciate the Accordion because it is mostly played by street musicians or in "Volksmusik/Schlager". Aka. aweful german music.
I just had a go at replacing felts and leathers on an 80 year old accordion. The design was not as simple as this, had to dismantle all the bass side, quite a nightmare. Took me 3 weeks to replace it all ! Now it's all out of tune and I have had to make a tuner using and old bellows. Still have to do this, no idea if I'll ever get it sorted, lol. Lot's of fun trying though. Good luck with your project.
Well, he did say it was relatively on the cheaper end as far as accordions go, so... not as much of a risk as it could have been? Still though, being able to do it with such confidence and skill is impressive
Yes, I too have purchased an accordion on impulse.
funny seeing you here old friend
some beach i think I know who u r, but ok
Potasmic are you still on discord?
some beach of course. Same old username.
Same, haha.
Two things you mustn't do:
- Never attempt to expand or compress the bellows of an accordion without a key, button or the valve release button pressed. Doing so can damage the reeds and make it sound out of tune.
- Never expose an accordion to extreme heat or cold. The reeds of the accordion contain wax (to hold them in place), which can obviously melt if it gets too hot, but can also crack if it gets too cold. Don't leave it in a car for a prolonged period.
1. is simply wrong.
@@jamadirwhich one
@@MichaelTurner856 pressing without button
I have no idea why i'm here, but i like it, clear explanation about something i always wondered why it had many buttons.
I was literally about to write a comment exactly like this..... 😂
this is definitely the most intimidating instrument i have ever seen. all the buttons, the keyboard and the flow of air!
its to much at once haha my gears are already grinding!
You might take a look at the pipe organ... ;-)
Pipe Organ: Hold my be-
18-String Guitar: Step aside, peasants.
Bagpipes: [insert looking through the blinds meme here]
@@surialpaca6542 How exactly is a bagpipe more complicated than an organ? It works like an oboe with a reservoir and it plays like a recorder.
Also, is 18-string guitar really the most strings you could come up with? You could've said harp for example.
@@thalesvondasos You must be fun at parties
@@byeetch he do be right tho
"this is not a video about playing the accordion, its about how the mechanism inside of it works"
You just said what I didnt like this video to be and what I exactly wanted this video to be. You deserve the top search result spot~
The slow motion of the reeds at the end was the most interesting part. I never thought about how they produce sound but of course that movement makes sense. So Cool
Yup, accordions are the best. I added some hall effect sensors to the bass section of one of mine, glued some magnets to the ends of the base buttons and programmed them up to an Arduino to create MIDI. I can then connect it to most cheap auto-accompaniment keyboards for hours of fun! I just found your channel and am so impressed!
That's a great idea!
Being an organ builder, I recognize the rollerboard/tracker assembly in the chord button section of the accordion. This was invented about 1000 years ago soon after the organ was introduced into Europe by the Moors.
Sir, you have uncovered one of my lifelong mysteries!!! Thanks a lot for this video. I imagined it would be a complex mechanism, but it is also really beautiful and ingenious!
You've solved a mystery that puzzled me for over 30 years - long enough, that I've forgot about it altogether.
This is the weirdest ASMR I’ve ever watched
Thank you so much for this video. It’s the exact video that I needed to find. From a lifelong multi-instrumentalist that has played everything except accordion and has an old Italian grandfather that would really enjoy playing his accordion again. Found his recently and now have to repair it without any understanding of the instrument. So, again, thank you. This is beyond helpful. Best to you 😊
That's so cool! I love teardowns explaining this kind of mechanical contraption. I like that method of transferring one input into a selection of outputs, with the pin rollers used as an intermediate stage...
This instrument is beautiful.
I started watching this video with questions I didn't know I had, and now I have the answers to them all haha. Excellent video, every explanation is very detailed and easy to follow.
This explains it so much better than the wikipedia text, thank you!
Damn, I didn't expect a full anatomy of the accordion. Thank you.
Great video. The roller/tracker mechanism in the left hand actually has a name, the "bass machine"!
I cannot express how fantastic I find this video
very helpful. helped me repair my stuck buttons. oh also i noticed that you have the same accordion as me only i have it in Black. its a cheap 400€ Accordion from China, wich i whole heartedly reccommend for anyone starting out (or starting again after a 13 year break in my case)
That slow motion footage of melodica reeds at the end was unnecessarily terrifying.
Very informative video. I had no clue what I was learning to play. Thank you!
Thank you for your info. accordion is playing on earth now. 🙏
How is this guy so knowledgeable about literally everything
You have a clear and pleasant voice. You should consider doing a podcast!
120 BUTTONS! I wouldn't even be able the play the piano side, let alone the other.
It's easy if you already know what buttons they are and memorize and if you memorize them buttons you can play the piano and pay more attention to it... It's easy if you keep practicing the buttons
Look at a bayan accordion
I was recently thinking about learning how to play the accordion, the sound is awesome and I've been fascinated by reeds ever since I tried making my own accordion out of a melodica and a foot pump. Very good video and perfect timing too!
Retro Plus - sounds like you almost made some sort of harmonium
That's the video I was looking for - thank you!
Thanks! What an amazing Instrument. I recently got an Accordeon and I can't stop playing ☺👍
Very well produced video ! Can you make more videos like this on how other instruments work ?
Didn't expect if accordion has such complicated mechanism. Thanks for sharing.
Super interesting! Thanks for taking yours apart so we can see! Well done on explaining
I just have learned how to play a accordion. And I’m onto a song. This makes the instrument even more interesting 👍🏼👍🏼
TIL an accordion is 2 giant harmonicas
So is a melodica
This was exactly what I was looking for
WOW
Thank you for letting us know!
mitxela The 2 rows of bass buttons allow you to play Bass scales, & 120 bass button accordions can play a total of 12 notes & 48 different chords.
Me just sitting here wishing he would play Kass's theme...
Why am I here?
I can, its not hard, you can play it on piano too.
@@PxlDev "its not that hard" Besides the fact that it is like 3/8 and 243 bpm and crap.
@@magistercat4126 Its literally the easyest song I have ever played on the accordion. Its very easy....
The over-engineered machine of subtlety slaying +1.
I don't play the accordian, I probably won't ever play the accordian and yet here I am.
Great video!
He looks like a fun person to talk to very intellectual but still fun enough to have a beer with or something
Thank you so much for this great video!!
The ending was really cool!
Just awesome content!
Great explanation very clear
That was good man I always wondered how an accordion works.
thanks for opening up the accordion
Awesome video!!!
Wow ! This instrument is very interesting.
Whoever invented this is genius
A combinatorial logic array, made mechanically! Very elegant. I imagine it was based off the theory of George Boole.
A mechanical encoder.
Nice
It's just amazing to see what humans can engineer. It must've been a colossal effort for instrument makers back in the day. Thank you for this breakdown!
Amazing video!! U should upload more often!!
Awesome and informative video!! Also, your voice is wonderful and should be recording audiobooks!
So that's a pretty simple Piano Accordion, of course there are other types like Button Accordions, Luttbeg Double Keyboard Piano Accordions, Free Bass Accordions, Concertinas, you name it.
excellento. good job!
Hey you should check out the bandoneon, the soul of the tango and a very interesting instrument. Love your videos, thank you for your amazing content!
Nice accordion. I own an accordion as well.
My accordion tutor book said that beginners think the bellows is the easy part and the left hand buttons are the hard part, but you'll know you are an accordionist when you understand that the left hand buttons are the easy part and the bellows are the hard part.
Great vid. Tnx mate.
If you do want to take on the daunting task of tuning free reeds, I suggest practicing on a basic harmonica. You won't break the bank or cry when it inevitably becomes unplayable, and you have 20 reeds to screw up before you have to get another to experiment with. Hopefully by then you'll know what to do and what not to do on larger and more valuable instruments.
Combine this with draw bends (as a means of throwing reeds out of tune maybe) for maximal annoyment of the neighbors.
Ahh the balkans love this instrument !! Sounds amazing
Are we thinking about making a midi controlled instrument that uses reeds for sound production?
how to not miss on left hand its looks difficult
Synths are cool an' everything.... but organs are a mechanical marvel.
...... I wanted a sailor's hornpipe! ;)
👍 Good Video
1:00 Super Mario Sunshine
I play the accordion for three years
Great video. Exactly what I was hoping to see & understand. What I don’t understand Is, what Genius mind could’ve imagined this insanely complex instrument! I mean who really invented the accordions 🪗? To my mind this is the most complex instrument invented with the exception if perhaps 🤔 the pipe organ.
Must be very expensive to tune an accordion. Far more expensive than tuning my piano. And it shouldn’t need tuning often...I don’t imagine, unless it’s played in a driving rain 🌧 where the reeds could get wet. That’s unlike woodwind instruments played with the very wet mouth. One won’t really worry about changing the reeds too often. Seems, wear & tear are the accordion’s major enemy.
Incredible video. Blows my mind🤯.
There is a defect in the Korean translation, but it is a very useful video. Thank you.
and here I thought the hurdy gurdy was intimidating to look at
Oh wow!
That is interesting!
Actually works like a miniature church organ, same principles. That mechanical action is the same for mechanical style organs.
I have the exact same accordion as you
I'm here from "cow in love with accordion".
thank you for satisfying my need for curiosity
Great. Now I won't have to take my 48 bass Scandalli apart. I know it all.
very interesting :)
I play accordion for many years, and I never have done this :) (13:48)
Looks like some of the buttons correspond to -- i.e., push down first, before triggering the rotation of the cylinders -- vertical bars that themselves open valves. With these buttons, it seems there should be an ever-so-slight delay between the sounding of the "directly linked" note and the notes that follow indirectly from the twofold action of the cylinder spikes and gold bars. (Assuming you start pumping air through the valves immediately as or just before hitting the buttons.) Have you tried playing back music from the chord buttons in slow-mo to see if the lag becomes perceptible?
If i were to make a midi self playing accordion, i could just attach solenoids directly to the bass reed valves?
Question to anyone willing to respond
Can I ask where air comes in and out? I was wondering how the exhaust button to the accordions side, exhausts air when I don’t feel anything or see any vents.
Thank you
Do we have to keep pressed one register while playing the Accordion??
Please advise. Thanks.
Pedro Sydney
Did you add that glockenspiel sound to the slowed down melodica at the end?
Wow!!!
So how does the reverb work?
i have the same accordion
Hello, the company name is not written on it.. what's it name????
Is it the same for someone who plays a accordion that has buttons and not a piano
Is it heavy to move it back and forth? To make the sounds.
I wish my keyboards could change the Circle of Fifths with a button here or there.
Here after the business insider video and curious how these things actually work.
Insanely complex.
Such an interesting Instrument! I never stopped to appreciate the Accordion because it is mostly played by street musicians or in "Volksmusik/Schlager". Aka. aweful german music.
Never confuse: Volksmusik = genuine German folk music; Volkstümliche Musik = Schlager/cringy pop music
Argentina's Tango music uses it too :)
Trying to refurb a 100+ year old accordion. Found it in my great grandpas basement after he passed.
I just had a go at replacing felts and leathers on an 80 year old accordion. The design was not as simple as this, had to dismantle all the bass side, quite a nightmare. Took me 3 weeks to replace it all ! Now it's all out of tune and I have had to make a tuner using and old bellows. Still have to do this, no idea if I'll ever get it sorted, lol. Lot's of fun trying though. Good luck with your project.
HOW the HELL do they put those things together. WTF
The balls on this guy. I'd be a nervous fucking wreck trying to take this apart and pit it back together.
Well, he did say it was relatively on the cheaper end as far as accordions go, so... not as much of a risk as it could have been? Still though, being able to do it with such confidence and skill is impressive
Sort of like a backwards autoharp. With reeds instead of strings.
This reminds me of a logical matrix.
....Oh I see, sooo....
Nope, I've got nothing. Still sounds like magic to me.