There is no doubt that the accordion is Russian. After all, it is this instrument that we imagine when it comes to festivities. She can make you dance or cry. In the old days, it was an essential attribute of a wedding. But nowadays there are connoisseurs of its extraordinary sound and professionals who perform any musical works on it, because notes for harmony are still published.
Where did she come from?
But it is interesting that the origin of this tool is not entirely Russian. There are several opinions on this subject. It is said that the first master who made it lived in Germany. But it is known for certain that initially the Russian accordion in our country was made by the Tula master. However, he took the foreign model purchased at the fair as a model. Our craftsmen, on the model, recreated the Russian accordion. And nowhere else did they love her like in our country, so the production of these tools gradually grew in the 19th century.
What are they like?
Tula accordion was originally a simple single-row. That is, on its right and left half there were only one row of buttons. Gradually, the instrument became more complicated and became two-row. Learned to do it in other cities. Moreover, everyone tried to harmonize the Russian acquired its individuality. To do this, decorated her in every possible way. By what kind of decor was on the instrument, it was possible to say with accuracy in which particular area it was made.
Tool structure
Any harmony, although it sounds differently, consists of two half-cases on which the buttons are located. Playing on the right keyboard, the harmonist plays the melody, and on the left he accompanies himself, extracting bass or chords depending on the work. In the middle, the Russian accordion has furs. It sounds due to the fact that with their help, air is pumped into it, which acts on the tongues of the instrument. The harmonies differ in what sound the button makes when the bellows move.
True love
It is interesting that folk lovers of this instrument played it regardless of whether they have notes for harmony or not. The melody was picked up by ear or she passed from one musician to another. Vasily Terkin from the work of A. Twardowski was such self-taught. He went through the whole war with this instrument. It is known that harmonies were specially sent to the front with the aim of raising the morale of fighters. At the beginning of 1941 alone, about 12,000 instruments were sent. Further, their number at the front only increased. Even at the monument in Smolensk, in which Terkin is immortalized with the writer, he holds in his hands a harmony.
Save memory
There are other monuments in honor of this tool, or people related to it. Not without reason in Saratov is a monument to the harmonist. After all, the tools that began to be produced in this city in 1870 became unique. Korelin N.G. opened a workshop, gradually several productions appeared.
At first, harmonies were released simple, without decorations, focusing on sound, but gradually they began to paint the bodies in different colors and varnish them. The demand for tools was great, so over time, artisanal production turned into industrial. Harmonies began to be mass produced. Unfortunately, in our time, Saratov accordions have ceased to be made at the factory. The collapse of the Soviet Union gradually led to this. But on the other hand, a new workshop is functioning, at which talented young masters work. They produce Saratov harmonies, which again become popular due to the revival of interest in the history of our country.
Continuing Traditions
The fact that interest in this instrument does not fade even nowadays proves the existence of the television program “Play, beloved accordion!”. It vividly demonstrates how popular the accordion is in the vastness of our country, how many people still play this instrument, and even more listen, feel sad and have fun with it. Initial releases of the program took place in 1986. Unfortunately, the first presenter of the program G. Zavolokin died in a car accident. At the place of his death (95 km of the highway Novosibirsk - Ordynskoe) a monument was erected. It is a bench on which Gennady sits, holding the accordion on his lap. A cat perched next to him. The case of Zavolokin is continued by his children Anastasia and Zakhar.
In our time, you can find on sale a variety of harmonies. They are produced both in our country and in other countries. Is accordion expensive? The price depends on what materials and decor were used to create it. You can find tools worth both 17,000 and 300,000 rubles. Dear, suitable for professional musicians. Those who are just going to study music have enough models and simpler.
It is noteworthy that children who want to master this difficult instrument come to music schools. Therefore, after several generations, interest in Russian harmony will not fade away and it will be possible to listen with pleasure to her unforgettable tunes.