Maintaining and Caring For an Accordion
For almost two centuries, accordions have played an important role in Western musical culture. From the traditional Irish button accordions to the piano accordions, their iconic popularity has made them evergreen even in the scenario of changing trends in the music industry. Proper maintenance of these bellowed musical instruments is important if they are to play music beautifully and clearly for years. Basic care for accordions is not at all tough, and every player must know how to preserve such a complex instrument.
The most fundamental aspect of maintaining an accordion is to make sure that it is used and stored correctly. This prevents any possible damage to it and helps it to perform well for a long time. Besides that, one must also be aware of the instrument’s major parts, their functions and descriptions. These are the bellows, pallet mechanism, the body, shoulder straps, manual systems and reed switches.
An accordion must not be subjected to extremes of temperature. Various components inside it, including the reeds, are secured using wax that can melt easily if subjected to high temperatures. On the other hand, too much cold can cause interior condensation that will eventually form rusts when the instrument is moved to a warm place later on.
Humidity is another detrimental element that can cause the instrument to give off musty odours, rusting of the reeds and warping of the wood frame. Therefore, care must be taken to ensure that the storage place remains dry all the time. It is also important to store an accordion in a vertical position, making sure that it rests on the side which has got felt pads. This will prevent the bellows and other interior components from sagging.
Avoiding salty conditions, such as that in a beach, is necessary. Salt can form rusts and deteriorate the buttons, metal reeds and other parts of the instrument. However, regular airflow is also essential to blow off accumulated dust. Excessive force must not be applied while expanding or contracting the bellows as it can damage the reeds as well.
Regular cleaning must be done in order to keep an accordion in good condition. Cleaning should include dusting the bellows, cleaning the body with oil soap, applying a leather conditioner to straps, removing the treble grille periodically and scrubbing plastic keys lightly using either a paste concoction of baking soda and water or white toothpaste. In case of a damaged reed or hole in bellows, professional help must be sought for.
The most fundamental aspect of maintaining an accordion is to make sure that it is used and stored correctly. This prevents any possible damage to it and helps it to perform well for a long time. Besides that, one must also be aware of the instrument’s major parts, their functions and descriptions. These are the bellows, pallet mechanism, the body, shoulder straps, manual systems and reed switches.
An accordion must not be subjected to extremes of temperature. Various components inside it, including the reeds, are secured using wax that can melt easily if subjected to high temperatures. On the other hand, too much cold can cause interior condensation that will eventually form rusts when the instrument is moved to a warm place later on.
Humidity is another detrimental element that can cause the instrument to give off musty odours, rusting of the reeds and warping of the wood frame. Therefore, care must be taken to ensure that the storage place remains dry all the time. It is also important to store an accordion in a vertical position, making sure that it rests on the side which has got felt pads. This will prevent the bellows and other interior components from sagging.
Avoiding salty conditions, such as that in a beach, is necessary. Salt can form rusts and deteriorate the buttons, metal reeds and other parts of the instrument. However, regular airflow is also essential to blow off accumulated dust. Excessive force must not be applied while expanding or contracting the bellows as it can damage the reeds as well.
Regular cleaning must be done in order to keep an accordion in good condition. Cleaning should include dusting the bellows, cleaning the body with oil soap, applying a leather conditioner to straps, removing the treble grille periodically and scrubbing plastic keys lightly using either a paste concoction of baking soda and water or white toothpaste. In case of a damaged reed or hole in bellows, professional help must be sought for.
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