How to Use the Air Release Valve on the Accordion

To create music with the accordion, you must learn how to use the air bellows. You can use the air release valve on the instrument to let the air in or out the bellows. This allows you to expand or shrink the bellows without having to play a note.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Strap on the accordion. Its a relatively heavy instrument and must be able to hang freely from your shoulders in order for you to play it properly. It employs two shoulder straps and one hand strap.

2. Unsnap the locking fastener. This keeps the bellows from opening during storage and also when you're handling it outside of its case. You should only snap and unsnap the fastener while the accordion is strapped on and in the proper playing position.

3. Open the bellows using the air release valve. It's set by itself aside from the rest of the chords and is generally labeled as such. The bellows will expand as you pull one side from the other using the hand strap.

4. Close the bellows using the same valve by pushing back in the side you just pulled out. You won't be able to fasten the lock without depleting all the air out of the bellows. Once the air is out, the weight of the accordion will pull air back in unless its locked quickly.