The
piano accordion has a keyboard of up to 45 keys. The lowest notes are
uppermost in the playing position. Sets of reeds are vibrated by passage
of air from the bellows operated by the player's right hand. The sets
are tuned in octaves (usually three), with an additional slightly detuned
fourth set called the tremulant. Shifts enable various combinations
of the sets to be engaged. The left hand plays the bass buttons, which
produce various chords or low bass notes.
Range
Ths is the range of the concert 41-keyed accordion. Some accordions have fewer keys, 25 being the minimum.