Tango Accordion

[Mr. Tunes]

So what's your favourite Accordion sample for tango styles? I've been using the ones in Sampletank 2 for a long time and there's some great sounds for Accordion in there but I want something more dedicated - it's a very dynamic instrument. Accordionize by Big Fish is $200 though - that's almost too dedicated LOL(but probably sounds right!). I have a melodica too which helps to emulate some registers.

[Kingston]

I've a real small scale accordion instead. Even if its scales are limited, I would rather transpose the whole song instead of resort to samples if I need this sound in a project. The breathing effects, the way they influence the pitch and "drive" cannot be sampled unfortunately.

If someone is ready to spent 200e on an accordion library, for that money one could get a decent small scale *real* accordion instead.

[Mr. Tunes]

I've a real small scale accordion instead. Even if its scales are limited, I would rather transpose the whole song instead of resort to samples if I need this sound in a project. The breathing effects, the way they influence the pitch and "drive" cannot be sampled unfortunately.

If someone is ready to spent 200e on an accordion library, for that money one could get a decent small scale *real* accordion instead.

Hah yes I was thinking this. Unfortunately while at the music store today they did not have one in stock! So I don't even know the price ranges on real accordions. I also don't know how difficult they are to learn - the whole side of black keys always looked intimidating to me when I was younger but I guess those are just chord buttons?

[Kingston]

I also don't know how difficult they are to learn - the whole side of black keys always looked intimidating to me when I was younger but I guess those are just chord buttons?

They aren't difficult at all. It's kind of like a keyboard with chord automation when you think about it. In a weird way it feels quite similar when playing with a small scale accordion or chordspace Playa. The scales are fixed so you're bound to hit right notes/chords occasionally.

[Mr. Tunes]

It appears most classifieds are selling them for around $400-800 used
Do you play something like the Cajun accordion?

[P.T.]

Is the Tango style accordian the same one that is used in the Mexican groups?

[Mr. Tunes]

Is the Tango style accordian the same one that is used in the Mexican groups?

Hmmm not sure - I'm looking for more of the Gypsy/French sound as heard in groups like the Gotan Project, Tanghetto, Narcotango. Gotan is from Argentinia though so I guess there's a strong latin american influence on their sound. When I hear the word Mexican I think of Mariachi music which is also good but different. There might be an overlap with the Spanish flamenco sound here of course.

[Kingston]

It appears most classifieds are selling them for around $400-800 used
Do you play something like the Cajun accordion?

Mine is an old russian small scale accordion, almost like a kids size. I don't know what the correct term for it is. I don't know what it's worth either, could be a lot more than I've thought. It sounds somewhat like gotan project, but more wooden, and not as flexible scale wise. I can play along a few of their songs that happen to be in the same scale range. It only has like half the scales available to guitars and pianos, which is still a plenty.

[Oak]

I think what you're looking for is a bandoneon. I know for a fact that there's some decent, not too expensive bandoneons around.

[Kingston]

Hey good to know! Mine is definitely a bandoneon. Cheers for the info. I googled up some good data on those things.

[P.T.]

Is the Tango style accordian the same one that is used in the Mexican groups?

Hmmm not sure - I'm looking for more of the Gypsy/French sound as heard in groups like the Gotan Project, Tanghetto, Narcotango. Gotan is from Argentinia though so I guess there's a strong latin american influence on their sound. When I hear the word Mexican I think of Mariachi music which is also good but different. There might be an overlap with the Spanish flamenco sound here of course.

But, the Mariachi's don't use accordian.

I'm thinking more like Norteno like Los Tigres Del Norte. I love those guys.

I love the Tango accordian also and am wondering if they use the same type.

[M'Snah]

Peti?

[Armadillo]

Precisionsound have both a weltmeister and a carina accordions. Not sure if they are "tango" accordions.
http://www.store.precisionsound.net/index.php

[TexasMusicForge]

There is a music store called Elderly Instruments that always have a selection of accordions in their catalogs. Their prices are good and they ship anywhere. Definitely worth a look at their website if you can't find what you're looking for locally or on E-Bay.

Accordions can be set into two basic groups, the chromatic accordions (the ones with an actual keyboard) and the diatonic, which have buttons instead of keys. Button accordions are used in a lot of traditional music such as the Cajun style from Louisiana while all of the polka, zydeco, pop and jazz players I've seen are using chromatic models. There's not a huge amount of difference in the sound between the two types, just a difference in the number of available notes you can play.

You don't have to play the left hand buttons (the bass and chord buttons) at all, particularly if you're recording. I have a small chromatic (also called a "piano accordion") that I use for laying down melody lines and simple chords. A little accordion can go a long way, so don't feel bound to use every single button or play like a master if all you're looking for is some texture. It's a very easy instrument to use if you keep your needs simple.

As noted above, you may be looking for a bandoneon, which is much more popular in South American music than in the rest of Latin America. Bandoneons, accordions and harmonicas all belong to the Aeolian family of instruments, using air forced through tuned reeds to make sounds. You may be able to get what you want with any of the various types of harmonicas available. An octave or tremolo harmonica model (I like the Hohner Comet) will produce a passable accordion sound if recorded properly and at a much lower cost than a decent accordion.

I hope this helps shed a little light on a fascinating family of musical instruments. By the way, check out some of the bands mentioned in previous posts - there is some superb music mentioned above.

Best regards to all,

Tio Ed
Austin, Texas
Land O' 10,000 Guitars

[M'Snah]

...

Thanks. Great background information.