The Best books for Beginner Accordionists

Palmer-Hughes Prep Accordion Course– This is one of the most popular books from this series. Initially published in 1959 by Willard Palmer and Bill Hughes, this book always stays in style. With its elegant mid-century modern-looking cover and beautifully illustrated and easy-to-comprehend instructions, this gem is a reference to return to for generations to come. This book is so popular and well known amongst accordionists in English speaking world that some of accordionists even made You Tube videos, playing songs from this book so they can make learning process easier for beginners. You can see some of the videos here.

This wonderful book by Miriam Davidson, titled “Alfred’s Teach Yourself to Play Accordion: Everything You need to Know to Start Playing Now!” is a perfect reference to any beginner accordionists, regardless of his or her age or skill level. Beginning with the fundamentals, you will learn about the parts of the accordion, buying an accordion, preparing the instrument for use, and getting acquainted with standard musical notation. You will then learn to use your left and right hands in the proper ways, playing different notes, chords, and songs, all while continuing to increase your knowledge of reading and understanding standard musical notation. You will learn to play in an array of musical styles, including folk songs, Waltzes, Bluegrass, Polka, and more. This book comes with a DVD.

Reviews for this book speak for themselves. This is one of those quality reference books that contains everything to help you learn that first song on the accordion. It has diagrams, sketches and charts to help you grasp basics of musical theory for the accordion. It also comes with a CD and is loaded with beginner friendly accordion tunes for easy learning. Here is one customer’s comment: “Not a big book, but a lot of useful information packed into this book. This book had me playing beginner tunes in no time. I really like the fact that the author doesn’t assume that you already have a working knowledge of the keyboard, it explains both right and left hand playing, with good illustrations.” –How To Play Accordion by Santorella Tony

Hal Leonard Accordion Method– This illustrated book for beginner accordionists is another quality reference book that will educate generations of accordionists. This is a comprehensive beginner’s guide written and presented in an easy to understand vocabulary.  Here, you’ll find a variety of musical styles: American folk tunes, a Calypso from Trinidad, a well-known melody by Beethoven, and folksongs from England, France, Germany, Ireland and New Zealand. The online audio includes demonstrations of all the songs in the book!

Some students of the accordion describe this book as the best book for beginners. Authored by J.H Sheldon in the UK, this is a well known classic for education of young accordionists. It is intended for 12 to 120 Bass button accordions. This book presents a new and scientifically correct program for mastering finger technique, enabling the accordionist to acquire the brilliant technique of the professional player far more rapidly than by indiscriminate and haphazard practice. Included also is an easily understood course in Keyboard Harmony and its adaptation in harmonizing melodies and playing effectively from piano and violin music. accordion students describe this book as the best Finally, this method contains a series of carefully graded and edited solos embracing all forms of music from Swing-Boogie to the Classics.