Accordion lessons: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What accordion lessons is

An accordion teacher covers bellows control, keyboard and bass buttons, and songs in folk, polka or other styles, on piano or button models. People book accordion lessons when they inherit or buy an accordion they cannot yet play, join a folk or polka group, or want to learn bellows control that keeps the sound even.

Signs you need it

  • Your bellows jerk or change speed in the middle of a note
  • You can play the melody on the right hand but the bass buttons confuse you
  • You want to play polka or folk tunes with a group and need to keep up
  • Your shoulders or back hurt after you play sitting with the accordion
  • You bought a button accordion and cannot tell which buttons to press for a key

What the pro does

  • Checks how you hold the accordion and how the straps sit on your shoulders
  • Teaches smooth bellows control, pushing and pulling for even tone
  • Shows the right hand keyboard or button layout for the tunes you want
  • Works on the bass buttons or left hand in the style you play
  • Introduces folk, polka or other tunes at the right level

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Piano accordion compared with button accordion, since each uses different fingering
  • Teacher experience with folk, polka or other styles
  • Lesson length and how many lessons you book each week
  • Whether the teacher comes to your home or you travel to a studio
  • Accordion size, a strap or a rental you need to buy
  • Whether lessons include playing with a group

What a written quote should spell out

  • Whether the plan covers piano accordion or button accordion
  • The number and length of lessons and whether they are private or shared
  • The styles and tunes the plan covers
  • The cancellation and makeup policy for missed lessons
  • Which accordion, straps or books you must buy or rent yourself

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Do you teach piano accordion, button accordion or both?
  • How do you teach bellows control for an even sound?
  • Which tunes or styles do you teach, and how do they match my goals?
  • If the student is a minor, do you run background checks, and what is your policy on parents in the room?
  • Can you check how my accordion straps fit?
  • Do you help with group play or only solo?

Red flags

  • Says bellows control does not need teaching and skips it
  • Pushes you to buy an expensive accordion before checking your fit and goals
  • Ignores shoulder or back pain while you play
  • Promises you will play a whole set of tunes in a few weeks

What you can do yourself

You can keep the accordion in its case away from heat and humidity, practice bellows control with a single note, and check the straps for wear. Do not open the accordion or touch its reeds yourself, since a repair technician should handle those. Hire a teacher for bellows control, button layout, group play or posture.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to teach accordion lessons. Check with your state or local licensing agency if you are unsure whether a teaching business needs a registration.

Accordion lessons questions

Is piano accordion easier to start than button accordion?

Each has its own layout. Tell the teacher which accordion you have or plan to get, and they can start you on the right path.

Do I need my own accordion before lessons?

Usually, yes, or a rental. Ask the teacher which model fits the music you want.

How do I book an accordion teacher on infinibell?

Describe the lessons you want, including the accordion type, the style and your level. Pick the teachers you want by name. Only the teachers you pick see your request, and it is free for you.

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