In this accordion tutorial, I show you how to tune an accordion manually, with a scraper and file. You also need a tuning app, a test bellows, and some brass metal strips to hold the reeds. Equipped with these few tools, you can straighten out the tuning on any accordion reed. Take a look below at some product links of where to find these tools. Products used/recommended in this video: (these are affiliate links that help fund videos like this, at no extra cost to you) ☘Scraper Tool: ebay.us/DYTPwX ☘Further Tools (BossettoAccordions): ebay.us/AWq4VF DISCLOSURE: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase and/or subscribe. Affiliate commissions help fund videos like this one.

One rather important point that is not mentioned here is that the reed will often sound a slightly different pitch when the reed block is outside the accordion. Sometimes it is only a matter of a cent or two, but can be as much as 5 or even 10 cents difference. To tune precisely, it is necessary to either tune with the blocks secured inside the accordion, or measure and record all the pitches with the accordion intact, and then add or subtract the difference when the blocks are outside the instrument. Although precision is a bit less important on an accordion like this, which is likely quite wet tuned anyway and has no dry register.

@wheatonna

Жыл бұрын

On my chromatic, if the inner reed is in tune when installed, I can just match the outer one to that.

@adamcolbertmusic

Жыл бұрын

@@wheatonna Good point. I was just going to say that the original comment (which I wasn't aware of and is very good to know) applies to using a tuner, so as to have the entire accordion tuned accurately in standard tuning. However, if you're merely fixing a wonky note and you're getting the instrument relatively in tune with itself, then as long as the two reeds (inner and outer) sound in unison outside the accordion, then they will sound in unison inside the accordion.

True inspiration, Tom! Thanks a lot! ❤

Thanks again Tom. Well done

@TomsMusicShop

Жыл бұрын

Very welcome, Sean!

@costyzaharya4136

19 күн бұрын

Ai putea sa ma ajuți te rog vreau sa fac un acord 880 bandon cu tunetul care îl ai și tu in videoclip poti sami spui cum îl regleze sau daca merge te rog din setări l-am pus pe 880.0 dar că sunet n-are nici o schimbare comparativ cu 440.0te rog să-mi spui dacă se poate sau nu

Amazing video

@TomsMusicShop

Жыл бұрын

Glad you think so!

Someone please watch and learn. Your skills will be much appreciated

good video Tom! You need to place a leather gasket in the test bellows holes in order to achieve better air pressure.

tom is awesome

Hi Tom , could you make a video about tuning table how many holes goes on the top just a little info how to make one

I noticed something when trying this out, I used the same app you are using here, and when I downloaded it, it defaulted to showing A G F E… instead of A B C D like the screen in the video, so I scratched up one reed pretty badly because I thought I was doing the right scraping but I was doing the exact opposite and making it worse since the tuning screen was backwards, Also, I have 2 accordions, one is near perfectly in tune, I checked the reed block of the in-tune one on my test bellows and the tuning was consistently higher on each note outside of the accordion, this should be noted when tuning like this, otherwise you’ll put the accordion back together and it will be slightly out of tune.

Hey thanks for this detailed video! it was very helpful for me! I just have a question. I have an issue with some tongues. When i give more air to play louder the tunig drops, when it give less air it rises. how can i fix this? greetings!

Thanks for the explanatory video. Where can I buy this pointed, needle-like tool?

@TomsMusicShop

Жыл бұрын

Hi Gomez! The link is in the description, but here as well: Scraper Tool: ebay.us/DYTPwX Thanks for watching!

Hello Tom. I find your videos very helpful just like everyone here so i subscribed not to miss any content. Just like most these guys I also have a question, I will try to tune my Gabbanelli diatonic in the key of FBE. Looking at the chart here there is the common notes like A, C, F but there is also buttons (on the chart) that say -A, -A#, d#+, and so on.. How do you set your tuner up for those notes? I own a chromatic tuner, the needle type Boss TU-12. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

@TomsMusicShop

Жыл бұрын

Hi Omar, any tuner recognizes all notes, whether flat, sharp, or not. The key really, is tuning one side of the reedblock slightly higher (average 20 cents higher) than the other, to attain a tremolo sound. I would recommend contacting a local accordion tuning specialist, and asking him/her for some lessons.

Hey Tom :) Thanks a lot for your videos. I've got some old accordions to train with but i ran into problems lately. I've build a tuning table for myself and so on... but i can't get a consistent pitch. It feels like every time i place the reedblock on my table it has a different pitch than the last time :D it is quite frustrating.

@TomsMusicShop

9 ай бұрын

Are you sure your mic is placed correctly? Also, the wind speed seems to make somewhat of a difference.

The block is stamped GCF is that correct or has that block been changed to a different key?

What did you add to your bellows to make them test bellows? Piece of wood on each side and one hole to place the reed block hole against?

@TomsMusicShop

Жыл бұрын

Hi yes, just balsa wood.

Hi Tom, thank you! What about the tuning of the other side of a single voice? If the voice is fixed yet, we can't operate on the opposite face

@TomsMusicShop

Жыл бұрын

One side is around 0, while the other side is about 20 cents higher on average.

Thank you for the video Tom, Normally what is the cost to tuning the accordion in the shop?

@TomsMusicShop

Жыл бұрын

Hi! I think it's $2 per reed. At least that is what they charged me.

@MrJCIRELAND

9 ай бұрын

I was quoted €300 in Ireland to do a basic tuning on my 4 voice diatonic Paolo Soprani. I was also told that if any reeds or valves required any work, then the price could be prohibitively expensive.

❤

I will make 3D printable PETG bellow.

The G note on a reed that your raised is on the push? The G note that your lowered is on the pull?

@TomsMusicShop

Жыл бұрын

Well, the notes are inverted when you take the reed block out of the accordion.

Hi, Have you done a video covering the leather replacement. What glue is best, is leather or plastic best, if using plastic should you use one piece or two, which reeds don't need covering etc. This is what I find most confusing. Thanks.

@TomsMusicShop

6 ай бұрын

Hi, no I haven't done such a video. Plastic is easier to glue, but leather seems to be the choice for larger bass reeds. Only the smallest treble reeds don't require a cover. Cheers!

@adrianpolley9419

6 ай бұрын

@@TomsMusicShop OK, thanks for taking the time to reply. All the best

Hello Tom do u make accordion tuner boxes for sale ?

@TomsMusicShop

6 ай бұрын

No, sorry I don't. I just fixed boxes that didn't need all too much updating.

I can't tell exactly where you are scraping /filing. A closer-up view would help, and perhaps move your finger out of the way of the actual scraping motion.

@TomsMusicShop

Жыл бұрын

Sorry about that Jim. I will try to include some closeups next time. Cheers!

How can I have a setup for my own shop? And where can I get some Vinci reeds?? And one more… how can I know what reed goes where ??

@TomsMusicShop

Жыл бұрын

You just have to experiment, and try to find documentation online - like in forums and stuff. Or, find a local accordion tuner, and ask him/her for some pointers.

Did you accrodion Acessorios?

@TomsMusicShop

4 ай бұрын

No sorry, not anymore. Cheers!

Do not tune reeds out side of accordion! Someone will try this way on expensive accordions and it will make more damage than good. Reeds are always tested and fine tuned inside of accordion with help of use bellows table !

It seems that second ebay link has run out of inventory!

@TomsMusicShop

Жыл бұрын

Thanks - it looks like they closed up shop...

you should organize a better camera close-up position. Nobody can see what you are doing exactly....

Okay man. First of all, we tune the reeds IN the accordion. You can tune it outside, you put it pack and your tuning isn't okay anymore because the accordion house modifies the frequency, specially in bigger accordions. The other thing, we scratch alway the inner side of the reed tongue, NEVER the outter side. Finally, the tuning depends on the intonation of the reed tongue (distance over the hole). And in the end: you tune with an iPad software instead of a real tuning device... LOL.

@TomsMusicShop

4 ай бұрын

This is how I learned from a german guy who tunes for money, so that's why I do it this way. You don't have to follow suit.

@AntonioRodriguez-ye4in

Ай бұрын

So make a tutorial of how to tune an accordion“correctly” instead of judging others.

This is stupid. You said you scraped the reed then you broke the damn thing off and didn't explain one bit what you did.

@TomsMusicShop

4 ай бұрын

I didn't break anything, lol.

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