Although everyone appreciates a nice Google Doodle, there are some days when one just makes you say, “huh”?
For many, it was just one of those days when an elaborate accordion appeared, accompanied by four tiny dancers, including a man wearing Lederhosen and a cowboy.
The accordion has just turned 195 years old, as it turns out to have been patented on this day in 1829. Thus, we only have five years to organize elaborate festivities for the 200th anniversary of everyone’s beloved bellow-driven, box-shaped free reed aerophone.
It’s clear that Google is much ahead of the game, and to catch us up, they’ve offered a ton of interesting accordion facts.
For example, the word “akkord,” which means “chord” in German, is the source of the name.
The accordion has also changed over time. Originally having only one side with buttons, they are now frequently found with a set of piano-style keys on the other.
Google provides additional information about the Doodle, stating: “Due to the accordion’s widespread appeal among European folk musicians in the late 1800s, German accordion manufacturers increased their output during that time.” The buttons on the single-sided accordions of the past produced the sound of a whole chord.
It’s likely that you won’t recognize many of the names on the list if you Google this query.
Karlov Boris? Gonzaga Luis? Chenier Clifton?
They are all highly skilled and well-known musicians, but neither they nor many other accordion ists have achieved widespread popularity.
The comedian and actor “Weird Al” Yankovic is arguably the most well-known accordion player; he frequently uses his reliable instrument to spoof well-known tunes by other musicians.
Strangely enough, he has no relation to Frankie Yankovic, another well-known accordion performer.
The ability of the same button to generate two chords—one when the bellows were expanding and another when they were contracting—is another amazing feature.
With the global migration of Europeans, the accordion’s musical use grew. Both buttons and a piano-style keyboard can be used to play modern versions; some even offer both. Occasionally, they may also have electronic components to enable them to be connected to an amplifier or produce artificial noises.
