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Showing posts with the label a Viennese invention

Accordion: From Folk Harmonica to Academic Instrument

  Accordion: From Folk Harmonica to Academic Instrument The accordion is an instrument with a rich history, which has evolved from a folk harmonica into a full-fledged academic musical instrument. Background and Invention In  1829 , Austrian craftsman and organ tuner  Cyrill Demian  created an improved harmonica, which he called the "accordion." His invention allowed players to perform chords with a single button, marking a revolution for folk instruments. In the  19th century , harmonicas with pre-set chords began to be produced in Germany, laying the foundation for the modern accordion. In  1891 , German craftsman  Georg Mirwald  constructed the first fully chromatic accordion, which became a versatile instrument suitable for various musical genres. Folk or Academic Instrument? Originally, the accordion emerged as a  folk instrument , based on harmonicas used for folk dances and melodies. However, the modern accordion has a  chromatic ...