Accordion reed ranks and switches
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A reed rank inside accordions refers to a single full set of the reeds that are the means to achieve the instrument's sound range. These reed ranks are located in the reed chamber. Most accordions to this date typically have anywhere between 2-4 reed ranks on the treble side and 3-5 reed ranks on the bass side that can usually be selected individually and/or be combined differently to provide a range of different timbres. More of the top-line expensive accordions may contain 5-6 reed blocks on the treble side for different tunings, typically found in accordions which stress musette sounds.
How many reeds an accordion has is defined by a method that looks like a fraction. For example, a 4/5 accordion has 4 reeds on the treble side and 5 on the bass side. A 3/4 accordion has 3 reeds on the treble sides and 4 on the bass side.
The reed ranks on the treble side are clasified by different ways: pipe organ 'foot-length' stops; Orchestral Instrument names, and circular diagrams.
Cassotto
More expensive accordions have a Cassotto. It is an Italian word meaning "box"; it is also referred to as a "tone chamber"[1]. The reeds that are placed in this chamber have a far more mellow and rich tone. The box often has a means of opening or closing to vary the sound.
Register Stop Classifications
| Icon | Classification | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
4' stop | This is the highest reed rank. Not all accordions may have this reed rank. |
|
8' stop | This is the middle reed rank. It is one octave higher than a 16' reed block. |
|
8' stop | This is another middle reed rank. It is usually tuned slightly sharp. Not all accordions may have this reed rank. |
|
8' stop | This is another middle reed rank. It is usually only included on special "musette accordions". |
|
16' stop | This is the lowest and deepest-sounding reed rank in the reed chamber. |
To hear how these sound on their own, see the first three rows of the table below.
Register Switches
Switches on accordions control which sounds are produced. These switches control which reed ranks are enabled (opened up) or disabled (closed off). There are switches which only enable one reed rank, or several reed ranks. Here are a few examples of switches on a typical accordion[2]:
| Icon | Nickname | Reed rank(s) in use | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Piccolo | Top. | Thin and reedy tone. Listen here (MP3) |
|
|
Clarinet | Middle. | A round tone, pure and free of harmonics. Listen here (MP3) |
|
|
Bassoon | Bottom. | A full, smooth tone. Listen here (MP3) |
|
Oboe | Top and one middle. | A thin tone Listen here (MP3) |
|
Violin | Two middle. | Listen here: Dry-tuned (MP3), Wet-tuned (MP3) |
|
Musette (Imitation) | Top and two middle. | Actually an imitation musette sound. Found in most accordions. See the last entry in this table. Listen here (MP3) |
|
Musette (Authentic) | Three middle. | A strong and distinctive sound, built for special "Musette accordions". Listen here (MP3) |
|
Organtype (Organ) | Top and bottom. | A slightly reedy quality. Listen here (MP3) |
|
Harmonium | Top, one middle and bottom. | Like the Oboe stop, but heavier because of the added Bassoon reed rank. Listen here (MP3) |
|
Bandoneón | One middle and bottom. | Characteristic round, mellow accordion sound. Listen here (MP3) |
|
Accordion | Two middle and bottom. | Like the Violin stop, but heavier because of the added Bassoon reed rank. Listen here (MP3) |
|
Master | All four. | The loudest and fullest accordion sound. Listen here (MP3) |
In addition to the Master Switch located with the other switches shown above, professional grade Accordions often have a least one extra Master Switch: either a Chin Master or Wrist Master Switch. These are located in positions that allow for faster changes during playing.
References
- ^ European Patent EP0545868 Kind Code:A1, a patent on an "Accordion with variable keys and one or two reeds in the "Cassotto"."
- ^ Table made with reference from this article at NewMusicbox