The Conquests of the Accordion. From the Old Worlds to New Horizons

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29340/en.v4n8.177

Keywords:

diatonic button accordion, invention of musical instruments, proletarianization of music production, industrialization, birth of popular music, international migration, Hohner Company

Abstract

The accordion and its many variations –from the concertina and the diatonic button accordion, to the hurdy-gurdy and the bandoneon– have flourished and taken roots in several cultures. Commonly known as the “common man’s piano,” this instrument became a medium for the growth of folkloric music, and very popular in many regions of the world, particularly in the late 19th Century and early 20th Century. Because of this, its use as a “one-man band” made it easier to use among people in popular sectors, due to its ability to produce melodies, harmonies and low-pitched tones at the same time. It was also strong and long-lasting, making it ideal for open air events. This aticle follows the story of the accordion, from its beginnings in Europe, to the New World, on the other side of the Atlantic.

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Author Biography

  • Helena Simonett, Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Artes de Lucerna

    Helena Simonett Originally from Switzerland, she holds a PhD in ethnomusicology from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). She is Senior Research Associate at the Competence Center for Music Research and Pedagogy, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. She has published several books, Band: Mexican Musical Life across Borders (2001), In Sinaloa I was born: History of Banda Music (2004, coord.), The Accordion in the Americas (2012) and A Latin American Music Reader: Views from the South (2016, coord.) and numerous articles in scientific journals and specialized books on countries such as the United States, Colombia, France, England and Germany.

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Published

2021-09-21

How to Cite

The Conquests of the Accordion. From the Old Worlds to New Horizons. (2021). Encartes, 4(8), 102-129. https://doi.org/10.29340/en.v4n8.177