How to Play Octaves on Accordions

Although the range of the accordion is limited, there are several ways to play octaves on the instrument. The accordion is split into two halves; the right hand plays keys on a keyboard (the range varies but starts out at about 2 + 1/2 octaves) and the left hand plays a series of bass buttons. For those who are looking to add octaves to their accordion play, here are some ways accordion players might work in octaves or octave-length scales in a practical way.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Play an octave on the keyboard. All you need to do to get an octave on the keyboard is to find two keys in the same place within the chromatic scale. The easy visual way to do this is to find the sets of black keys that repeat and see where your two notes are in relation to them. Find two notes in the same position and play them both, and that's an octave.

2. Match keys to buttons. Another easy way to play an octave is so simple accordion players do it all the same without thinking about it. When you match a key on your keyboard to a bass button, you're playing an octave. The two notes are the same tone but in different octaves of a key.

3. Try a triple octave. Combine these two approaches, playing first the bass button, than the lower keyboard note, and finally, the higher keyboard note. There you have it; multiple octaves on the accordion provide a unique sound you can use to your advantage.

4. Do octave scales. Try playing up or down the chromatic scale on the keyboard, keeping your bass button note the same. You can create good practice scales on the accordion that will help you hear where the notes are across an octave.

5. Create arpeggios. An arpeggio is another way of playing an octave that combines four notes of the scale: the first, third, fifth and octave. Try playing arpeggios up and down the keyboard while alternating between the bass note and the bass major chord.