How do I prepare/protect my accordion for outdoor playing?

[Jaime_Dergut]

Hello dear accordion community,

Recently, I was dealing with certain issues regarding some reeds slightly out of tune on my folk accordion. Someone told me this is related to my tendency of playing outside since, the changes of temperature and humidity outdoor can affect the stability on the wax.

A very common issue for those who play outside a lot, or so I was told.

So, my question is, what are the tricks or preventive techniques and maintenance to protect an accordion for outdoor playing?

I would appreciate your suggestions/experiences on this topic.

Thanks for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Jaime

 

[Dingo40]

I would appreciate your suggestions/experiences on this topic.

The only thing I have heard is, before playing, to equalise the interior and exterior temperature by pumping the bellows three or four times while holding down the air button.
In very cold conditions, differential shrinkage of the various metals can cause some reeds to "bind". Other than adjusting the voicing, it may be best to simply avoid playing in such conditions.
I know our members Tom and Debra often play in cold weather: they may have some suggestions?

 

[KiwiSqueezer]

To add to Dingo's answer, taking something from a cold environment into a warmer, damp environment is a recipe for condensation to form on cold surfaces. Not good, especially if it causes rust to form on reeds.

 

[isorry123]

I’ve played as low as 39 degrees Fahrenheit (maybe 4-5 Celsius ?) and my fingers got very cold. It may or may not have contributed to the solder failing on a Chinese made Hohner. The bass linkage broke off the bass rod. Was it caused by temperature differences between the solder and aluminum rod ? Very probably.

If I were going to do it again I would play under a blanket or something, even keeping the instrument under a jacket. Play near a fire. Thats how I imagine old soldiers and gypsies play outside. I would agree also with avoid playing without letting the temperatures equalize.

From a maintenance perspective i would assume more cleaning, especially any verdegris or rust on reeds. If you can wipe it down monthly, or even weekly, that would probably be best.

 

[Tom]

The only thing I have heard is, before playing, to equalise the interior and exterior temperature by pumping the bellows three or four times while holding down the air button.
In very cold conditions, differential shrinkage of the various metals can cause some reeds to "bind". Other than adjusting the voicing, it may be best to simply avoid playing in such conditions.
I know our members Tom and Debra often play in cold weather: they may have some suggestions?

Sadly I have no suggestions. I take my (no longer new) Piatanesi and just play it, in temps ranging from 50s to 80s and around here humidity in the 80 - 90 range in the summer. So higher outside humidity than in my house. I have not noticed any ill effects in the time I have had this accordion. Yes, there is a note or two that are sketchy (tuning) but I think that is normal and I just avoid those notes.

 

[debra]

The best way "to protect an accordion for outdoor playing?" is to leave the accordion indoors. Outdoor playing is never a good idea.
But... playing outside, under a large cover, can be relatively safe when it is warm and dry and there is no large body of water in sight.
In any case, when it is cold and/or wet and/or windy, don't play outdoors.
Long time ago there was a large accordion event planned with outdoor stages in a large open-air museum. The whole day was cold and wet, and the only thing the organizers could do was to move all the performances inside (in old restored buildings). My small group and I elected to change our program and just play Handel's Water Music instead of the sunny music we had planned...

 

[Jaime_Dergut]

I heard that the reeds benefit from playing in a wet environment, not too wet, of course.

My experience so far is that, if you are not comfortable where you are, so is the accordion. Be comfortable with your surrounding.

Something I could add is that, since I live near the great fresh water lakes of North America, I don't have to worry that much about salt rusting my reeds and therefore I was able to play for months in front of the beaches of Chicago.

What I also did is having plain colors on my accordion so the wooden box won't absorb too much heat from the sun (Black painted accordions certainly would literally melt if played beneath the sun for hours).

Sure, I got a couple of slightly loose reeds now on my folk accordion, and most likely because I play outside a lot, but it is totally worth it due to the social interaction I had so far.

What I can conclude is that, I wouldn't use a 5 reed accordion to play outside, for sure, but the 2/3 reeds work just as fine. By keeping it simple, there is less to go wrong later.

Blessed be my German Hohner, which is as sturdy as a volkswagen beetle from the 30s.

 

[isorry123]

That reminds me… I need to bedazzle my accordion case to reflect the suns rays, like an old vaudeville performer

What I also did is having plain colors on my accordion so the wooden box won't absorb too much heat from the sun (Black painted accordions certainly would literally melt if played beneath the sun for hours).

 

[RTW]

BY ISORRY: "it may or may not have contributed to the solder failing on a Chinese made Hohner. The bass linkage broke off the bass rod....It may or may not have contributed to the solder failing on a Chinese made Hohner. The bass linkage broke off the bass rod. " If I were going to do it again I would play under a blanket or something "

BY RTW: I suggest if doing it again, dont use some Chinese made accordion, though I appreciate hearing your real-world experience on junk accordions from China.

Regards,
RTW

 

[John Doe]

I heard that the reeds benefit from playing in a wet environment, not too wet, of course.

Seems to be true for my tenor saxophone- not so sure about a wood/leather/ferrous metal construct.

What I also did is having plain colors on my accordion so the wooden box won't absorb too much heat from the sun (Black painted accordions certainly would literally melt if played beneath the sun for hours).

Haven't heard of that as a pressing issue- though leaving your accordion sitting on the pavement or a bonch outside on a sunny day could well present a problem. Not as bad as in a car trunk but there is potential. The lighter colors would offer some reduction in heat build up when sitting in the sun though when being played the interior would naturally tend to wind up cooled by the continuous influx outflow of air. Static sitting in the sun would be the thing to avoid.

Sure, I got a couple of slightly loose reeds now on my folk accordion, and most likely because I play outside a lot,

I play outside about an hour a day May through October, primarily black 4/5 5/5 behemoths; hasn't been an issue for me (cottonwood debris aside). I stay out of the rain. What do you figure is causing loose reeds from playing outside? Are you sitting it on the sidewalk in the sun for a couple of hours? Are you bouncing it about more than normal roaming about with it? Is the wax just old and gradually giving up the ghost? If you really do have several loose reeds you probably ought to address that if only with a rewax/remelt on the affected reeds to tide you over. They won't get "unloose" on their own and will eventually fall out with potentially serious results depending on what you're doing when they come off.

Blessed be my German Hohner, which is as sturdy as a volkswagen beetle from the 30s.

Having gone through several beetles /microbuses in the sixties and seventies (living in Germany they were plentiful and thrifty) I'd characterize them as cleverly made for function and economy complete with the spare tire air pressure powered window spritzer (though compared to the Citroen 2CV they were just short of a Mercedes luxury coupe) but a more than a little maintenance intensive. Of course you could drop the whole engine/transmission yourself with no more than elbow grease, a jack, hand tools, a tire to lower the assembly on, and a fair amount of profane language. Sadly that real plus was sort of offset by the need to occasionally do so. Classics for sure though.

 

[murathan]

I dont think old soldiers cared about the accordions tuning. They cared more about not to die I think I dont like sun either it may change the color and makes heat. I sometimes accepted these gigs but changed my playing area. If there is a tent over you, rain and sun doesnt come to the accordion, it means its generally safe except extreme temperatures. At extreme temperatures, you need time to adjust the accordion to the second place by gradually changing the temperature. For example from home, to car, to the stage in a couple of hours.

 

[RTW]

BY murathan: At extreme temperatures, you need time to adjust the accordion to the second place by gradually changing the temperature. For example from home, to car, to the stage in a couple of hours.

BY RTW: Obsolutely, correct advice. In winter, my accordion was affected in the car on the way to an accordion lesson 40 minutes away.

 

[dak]

I heard that the reeds benefit from playing in a wet environment, not too wet, of course.

Nope. Absolutely not.

There are other accordion parts that will not appreciate long exposure to total desert dryness conditions, like the wood, some kinds of glue, leather valves and other leather parts. But you never want condensing humidity (anything deserving the moniker "wet" is clearly out), and the reeds most certainly will be as happy as oldtimer cars about extended super-dry spells.

 

[Jaime_Dergut]

Haven't heard of that as a pressing issue- though leaving your accordion sitting on the pavement or a bonch outside on a sunny day could well present a problem. Not as bad as in a car trunk but there is potential. The lighter colors would offer some reduction in heat build up when sitting in the sun though when being played the interior would naturally tend to wind up cooled by the continuous influx outflow of air. Static sitting in the sun would be the thing to avoid.

Yes, definitely, avoid direct exposure to sun but who wants to play in the sun anyway? I often look for a shade so I don't cook myself, or bring an umbrella.

I play outside about an hour a day May through October, primarily black 4/5 5/5 behemoths; hasn't been an issue for me (cottonwood debris aside). I stay out of the rain. What do you figure is causing loose reeds from playing outside? Are you sitting it on the sidewalk in the sun for a couple of hours? Are you bouncing it about more than normal roaming about with it? Is the wax just old and gradually giving up the ghost? If you really do have several loose reeds you probably ought to address that if only with a rewax/remelt on the affected reeds to tide you over. They won't get "unloose" on their own and will eventually fall out with potentially serious results depending on what you're doing when they come off.

Maybe I bounce the accordion way too much, but that's what happens when you are carrying in on your bag for several kilometers in the city, or on a bike.

It may be inevitable some bouncing, but we have to figure out a way to absorb that mechanical stress! Maybe putting teflon tape between the reeds will help reduce the impact from bouncing.

Having gone through several beetles /microbuses in the sixties and seventies (living in Germany they were plentiful and thrifty) I'd characterize them as cleverly made for function and economy complete with the spare tire air pressure powered window spritzer (though compared to the Citroen 2CV they were just short of a Mercedes luxury coupe) but a more than a little maintenance intensive. Of course you could drop the whole engine/transmission yourself with no more than elbow grease, a jack, hand tools, a tire to lower the assembly on, and a fair amount of profane language. Sadly that real plus was sort of offset by the need to occasionally do so. Classics for sure though.

I just saw a WV beetle today still running! Those things were certainly made to last.

Nope. Absolutely not.

There are other accordion parts that will not appreciate long exposure to total desert dryness conditions, like the wood, some kinds of glue, leather valves and other leather parts. But you never want condensing humidity (anything deserving the moniker "wet" is clearly out), and the reeds most certainly will be as happy as oldtimer cars about extended super-dry spells.

I honestly would not consider playing an accordion on a dessert or during a dry winter. (although, some German accordionist might try to do that, but I am not brave enough)

How about using Moisture absorber bags inside the accordion box?



I can think of having them attached to the inside of the bass and treble box somewhere, and they can last for 3 years before having to replace them. They cost nothing and will keep the inner side of the accordion moisture free when not playing, which is what we want.

I don't know if something bad could happen if the accordion is dry inside and then it start using outdoor air. I will think it is good practice to let the bellow breath first as a warm up.

 

[isorry123]

Florin here is playing, presumably for hours a day, in all weather. This is a clip of him playing in the UK in or after a rain. Does he go through several accordions a year or does he clean or what -

 

[Dingo40]

I honestly would not consider playing an accordion on a dessert or during a dry winter.

I've lived and played in a semi desert climate for 50 years.
Apart from the bellows pins falling out by themselves when the relative humidity falls below 20% for several days, I've not noticed any issues!
Currently, we've had no rain for about 21/2 months: great playing weather!

 

[dak]

Apart from the bellows pins falling out by themselves when the relative humidity falls below 20% for several days, I've not noticed any issues!

That is a courtesy of your accordion. It is telling you to do something about the humidity before it starts to crack.

 

[Dingo40]

before it starts to crack.

How many decades does it take before we see sny cracking ?
It's already been about seven or eight!

 

[Jaime_Dergut]

I've lived and played in a semi desert climate for 50 years.
Apart from the bellows pins falling out by themselves when the relative humidity falls below 20% for several days, I've not noticed any issues!
Currently, we've had no rain for about 21/2 months: great playing weather!

Dingo, what is the brand of the accordions you own? It seems they are quite sturdy and I should give a praise to their manufacturer.

 

[Dingo40]

Dingo, what is the brand of the accordions you own?

As far as I know, the various accordions I have are no more than an honest middle of the road in level, yet they all have coped with my local climate, ranging from approximately 80 to (newest) 30+ years. All without evident damage; all made in Italy; all PA, 41/120.
Only one brand name is still in existence, and that one has undergone several changes in ownership, so little point in specifying names.
But all have shown the capacity for surviving temperatures ranging from -3 to +46 degrees C and relative humidity of 5 to 99%.
So, I'm inclined to think we have a general tendency to seriously underestimate the hardiness of our favourite instrument!