How to Learn Accordion Songs

The accordion is like chess. The rules of playing are simple but mastery takes years. Accordion songs are no more difficult to read or perform than those written for the piano. Accordion music has a few distinctive characteristics, but anyone who can read musical notation should be able to learn how to play songs on the instrument.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Learn the song's chords. The accordion has up to four rows of chord buttons and the chords are played by pressing down a particular button. The accordion has buttons for major, minor, sevenths and diminished chords. Pressing one creates the notes which correspond to the same chord written in the music.

2. Examine the bass line on the music. The accordion has at least two rows of bass buttons. These are usually at the top of the button array.

3. Highlight the chords clearly on the music. This is especially useful when first learning the accordion.

4. Play the keyboard with your right hand. The accordion's keyboard is like a reduced piano keyboard. The black keys are used to play half-tones (sharps and flats).

5. Buy music that is specifically written for beginning accordion players. Beginner music has been written in a simplified form that highlights the key information of the song, such as chords, bass notes and tempo.