How to Hold the Accordion

The accordion is a relatively bulky and sometimes awkward instrument to handle. You have to master where to distribute the weight on your lower body so you can get your whole upper body into the action of playing. Knowing how to properly hold the accordion is the first step in learning to play.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Sit down on a chair with the accordion resting on its side on the ground in front of you. Grip the instrument with your right hand under the keyboard. With your left hand, grip the instrument by the strap where it connects to the accordion. Lift the accordion and set it on your lap with the keyboard facing away from you.

2. Place the right hand strap over your right shoulder and the left strap over your left shoulder. Allow the bottom edge of the keyboard to rest against your right thigh.

3. Remove the billow straps on the top and bottom of the accordion that hold the billows together. Move the billow straps out of the way so you can play without them obstructing your hand movement.

4. Place your left hand through the main strap that sits on the left hand side of the instrument and place your fingers just above the buttons. Put your right hand gently above the keyboard. Close your legs a little so that the billows hang over your left leg and aren't resting on it. Make sure everything feels secure and comfortable.