German Folk Music Instruments
AccordionsThere are two different kinds of accordions used in German Folk Music. They include the Steirisches Accordion and Schwyzerogeli Accordion. The Steirisches Accordion has three or more buttons on the right side. Each producing the notes when pushing on the bellows and pulling. There is also, a number of corresponding basses that the left hand plays.
The Schwyzerogeli Accordion is the most typically played instrument. It's name meaning "little organ". It is a bi-tonic instrument, the player gets different sounds when the bellow is pushed or pulled. It has a total of 31 buttons on the treble (right) side and 18 base chords on the left side. (Instruments)
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ZitherThis instrument is a tabletop instrument. The Zither consists of 5 strings. The pitch of this instrument is controlled by the left hand. The right hand plays the strings of the fretboard. This instruments requires a lot of coordination. The right thumbs has to be independent from the rest of the fingers to strike the bass and give the melody. The other fingers have to strike the rhythm and give the music a good tempo and bounce. (Instruments)
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Classic GuitarThe Classic guitar is a very important element in German Folk Music. It is played with the fingers of the right hand and the thumb plays bass notes and the other fingers play chords. In many of the German songs the guitar bass is stopped with the palm of the hand while the chord keeps playing. This adds "bounce" and "zest" to the songs. The guitar can also be used as a melody instrument in German Folk Songs along with other stringed instruments. (Instruments.)
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