Accordion

High school (ages 12+)
Art & Creativity

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/accordion

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. Who invented Accordion?Early 19th century
2. What is the classification?Free-reed aerophone
3. What is the primary sound production?Vibration of free reeds by airflow from bellows
4. How does an accordion make music?When you push or pull the bellows, air flows over brass or steel reeds that vibrate to produce sound. The keyboard or buttons open valves to choose which reeds play.
5. Why is the accordion special?It can play melody and harmony at the same time, and its sound can change from bright to warm. It also has many registers that let you layer sounds like a pipe organ.

Free-reed aerophone: A musical instrument that produces sound through the vibration of free reeds when air passes over them.
Bellows: The expandable and collapsible part of the accordion that generates airflow by being pushed and pulled.
Registers: Switches or buttons that engage different sets of reeds to alter the accordion's tone and volume.
Stradella Bass System: A common layout of buttons on the left side of the accordion providing pre-set bass notes and chords.