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Posted (edited)

The Akkordoline is an instrument conceived by the master craftsmen of a workshop Switzerland. Their primary goal: to give even those without a formal musical education the opportunity to play. That is definitely something for me!

https://www.akkordeonwerkstatt.ch/

They sell it as a "Bausatz" (DIY kit). They receive so many orders from all over the world for their bandoneons, melodeons, Örgeli, and various piano, diatonic, and chromatic accordions that they don’t respond to emails at all. They only sell in person and usually only answer phone calls in German—if they answer at all. I was lucky enough that a Swiss friend of mine brought me one Akkordoline kit in December '23. I didn’t dare attempt the assembly myself, as it far exceeds my skills. Although the accordion parts come with a lovely instruction manual, I knew I needed a teacher to make it. Then, I found a wonderful man named Jonas, who assembled it for me. What a guy! A poet, a bard, an artistic soul, and a master liuther.

The name "Akkordoline" is quite telling. It is an instrument designed for vocal accompaniment, used to play chords and basses—both major and minor. A feature that attracts a lot of attention is that you can change the key of your playing with a simple rotation; you can play in all possible tonalities. (C, B, A#, A, G#, G, F#, F, E, D#, D,  and C#).

In the key of C, the layout is as follows:

  • Left hand (basses): (from right to left, or bottom to top): F2, C3, G2, D3, A2, E2.

  • Right hand (chords): (from right to left, or top to bottom): Em, Am, Dm, G, C, F.

By holding the accordion firmly in place and simply rotating the bellows, one can access different keys. A few adjustments are still needed—as you can hear in the recording, some notes continue to sound even after the key is released.

 

Edited by SusySu
  • Like 2
Posted

I thought I had seen this instrument discussed before, and sure enough, here's the thread: 

It's great that someone on our forum finally has their hands on one. Thanks for sharing!

  • Like 1
Posted (edited)

The left hand box is pretty "conventional"- every button only makes play one reed.

The right hand (the chords) is trickier. Every button must "ensemble" a chord, ie it makes play three reeds which is achieved with strings. 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/vB6Q36k46tUHWaF96

Interestingly the akkordoline lacks air release button. No need. There is no difference - weather you push or pull the bellows..

 

Edited by SusySu
  • Like 3
Posted

You get a lot of kit for the money, although it is doubtless more expensive than 5 years ago.

A really nice set of photos too.

Posted
1 hour ago, RAc said:

why Gregor, you haven't only changed instruments and residence but also gender? 

 

I was wondering the same thing. But there’s certainly nothing in the video that would suggest so.

Posted
14 minutes ago, David Barnert said:

 

I was wondering the same thing. But there’s certainly nothing in the video that would suggest so.

No, but when you go to the user's profile and scroll down the contrib history, there is undeniable evidence, such as other user's reaponses including quotes.

 

Posted
10 minutes ago, RAc said:

No, but when you go to the user's profile and scroll down the contrib history, there is undeniable evidence, such as other user's reaponses including quotes.

 

 

I had already been there, done that. I was referring to the beard and the vocal range in the video.

Posted (edited)
9 hours ago, RAc said:

why Gregor, you haven't only changed instruments and residence but also gender? 

My account has been hacked. I must wait 30 days to reverse to my true data. For the time at least I changed my password.

Edited by SusySu

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