How to Play Swells on Accordion

For accordion players, a lot depends on utilizing the unique aspects of the instrument. The accordion has its own special sound that attracts listeners. When played well, it awakes pleasant associations with "Old World" scenes or festive memories. Played poorly, it sounds, well, annoying. A "swell," or long note, is one way you can be either effective or mediocre at playing the accordion.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Find the bass buttons. When you play the accordion, your right hand plays piano keys and your left hand plays bass buttons. These buttons will enable you to play a swell in any note or chord combo you want.

2. Push down the bass button.

3. Use the bellows. The "bellows" are the wind part of the instrument. To start, begin expanding the accordion by drawing your hands apart. You'll hear a note in the desired bass key.

4. Change direction and start contracting for another swell when you reach the end of the accordion's expansion capacity.

5. Change your swell by changing bass buttons. You can play a single note, a major chord, a minor chord, a seventh chord or a diminished chord. Take advantage of the cornucopia of sounds offered by the bass button layout.

6. Play the keys over your bass swell. Get a good rhythm going, then add your right hand into the mix. You'll hear the pleasant sound of single notes sliding over a static "basso profundo" sound. Practice until your swells sound more like those of a veteran player and less like the sounds of a beached whale.

Resources

• Helpful Bass Accordion Diagram.