How to Repair Accordions
How to Remove Cover Pins on an Accordion
How to Disassemble an Accordion
How to Remove Reeds from an Accordion
How to Repair a Reed in an Accordion
How a Reed Works in an Accordion
How the Keys Work in an Accordion
How to Set the Bass Side in an Accordion
How to Avoid Common Mistakes When Disassembling an Accordion
How to Put Together an Accordion
Summary: Understanding how a reed works inside your accordion will allow you to more easily play and disassemble it. Learn more in this free video series that will show you how to safely and easily remove the different parts of your accordion.
Amanda Claire is a leather artist currently living in Austin, Texas, where she specializes on custom pieces that blend traditional technique with modern designs. She designs and...read more
"AMANDA CLAIRE: So, I'm not kidding when I tell you that this is like the big harmonica 'cause it's exactly what it is. But watch--hopefully, you can see this--maybe the camera can zoom in--but watch when I inhale and exhale on one hole here. You see, when I exhale the leather opens because the reed underneath is the one that's vibrating, this reed is not vibrating, but when this reed vibrates, that leather gets sucked up against it. You can actually see it vibrating. I don't know if you can see it on camera but when I inhale, that reed vibrates and the leather is sucked up against the other reed so that it doesn't play. But when I blow the reed on the other side vibrates, the leather on the other side that we can't see gets sucked up against this reed, and then this leather opens up. So you can see, two different reeds vibrating. And if those reeds were tuned to different notes, then these would be a bank of reeds out of a diatonic instrument."
eHow Article: How a Reed Works in an Accordion
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Comments
Ander said
on 12/17/2008 Wow---you should NEVER blow into accordion reeds! The moisture in your breath can easily corrode them. The only proper way is to use a small air bellows specially designed for testing reeds.
Better yet, don't fool around trying to fix your own accordion at all. Unless you really know what you're doing, and have the proper, specialized tools, you're much more likely to damage your accordion than improve it. Please, consult a professional.