An accordion can be a fairly expensive instrument.  Cheaper accordions are of course available for those just starting with accordion lessons and rentals are pretty easy to find as well.  I wanted to make a post for those who want to know how to get the best sound out of their accordion and how to do a little “preventative maintence.”

Keep Your Accordion Upright!

Most accordions have four little “feet” for the accordion to rest on at the bass end.  If you store your accordion “flat” (with the piano keys horizontal), some important internal parts called reed valves can open.  This causes a permanent “rattling” sound when the accordion is played and can be quite costly to repair.  You don’t want that added expense, especially if you are just beginning your accordion lessons.  Take it from me and store the accordion upright!!

Keep Your Accordion Away From High Temperatures!

Really high temperatures (like the inside of a parked car on a summer day) can cause the reed wax to melt.  The reeds can actually fall off and when those notes are played all that is heard is the sound of rushing air.  Again, this can be quite costly to repair, a cost you don’t want to sustain – especially if you are just beginning accordion lessons.

Carry The Accordion Case With The Lid Against Your Body

This is, of course, in case the lid accidentally opens.  This can happen with even more “expensive” cases and if the lid opens the accordion could fall to it’s demise.

Never, Ever Lift The Accordion by The Strap

The strap could break or come off, causing the accordion to fall and sustain damage.

Let Your Accordion “Warm Up”

This is true for when the accordion is brought into a warm area from a cold one.  If you take private accordion lessons, do not leave your accordion in your car for an extended period of time, especially if it is cold out, after your lessons.  Condensation on the reeds from the cold could cause the reeds to rust.  It is much better to let the accordion “warm up” slowly before playing it, so that condensation is not created inside the accordion from the warmer air in the room coming into the accordion.

Keep Your Accordion Away From Animals! (Pets)

This one should seem obvious, but some people just do not think about it and leave their accordion out where a cat or dog could get at it and have their way with it.  So please, keep that accordion away from the pets!

Those are the main tips that I recommend to all of my private accordion lessons students.  Really you just want to treat your accordion with care and remember that it is an instrument, often an expensive one, and that it is very fragile.  Treat it with care and (after taking accordion lessons) you will get a lifetime of playing enjoyment out of it!

Check out my youtube videos page showing two videos on how to care for your accordion!

As always, thanks for reading guys!

Beth

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