Why is today’s Google Doodle celebrating the accordion?

Celebrating a marvellous instrument.

We all enjoy a good Google Doodle, but there’s no denying that some days one pops up and you think, ‘huh’?

Today was one of those for many when an ornate accordion popped up, flanked by four miniature dancing figures, including a cowboy and Lederhosen-clad chap.

Well, it turns out that on this very day in 1829, the accordion was first patented, meaning it has just turned 195. That means we have just five years to plan major celebrations for the 200th anniversary of everyone’s favourite box-shaped bellow-driven free reed aerophone.

Google is obviously well ahead of the game, and has provided a plethora of fun accordion facts to get us up to speed.

For instance, the name comes from the German word akkord, meaning chord.

The accordion has also evolved over time, starting out with a set of buttons on just one side, but are now commonly seen with a set of piano-like keys on the other.

Sharing more about the Doodle, Google writes: ‘Throughout the late 1800s, manufacturers in Germany increased their accordion production due to its popularity among folk musicians across Europe. Early accordions had buttons on just one side, and each of these buttons created the sound of an entire chord.

Are there any famous accordion players?

Google this question and, chances are, you might not recognise many names on the list.

Boris Karlov? Luis Gonzaga? Clifton Chenier?

All accomplished and influential musicians, but neither they nor many other accordion players quite hit the mainstream.

Perhaps the most well-known accordion player is the comedian and actor ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic, who often turns to his trusty instrument when parodying popular songs by other musicians.

And weirdly, he’s no relation to another famous accordion player, Frankie Yankovic.

‘Another impressive feature is that the same button could produce two chords – one when the bellows were expanding and another when the bellows were contracting.

‘As Europeans emigrated around the world, the accordion’s use in music expanded. Modern versions can be played with either buttons or a piano-style keyboard, and some even have both options. They also sometimes incorporate electronic elements so they can be plugged into an amplifier or create synthesised sounds.’

Today, the instrument is a major influence in music all around the world, including folk, Latino, jazz, Cajun music and the Tango on both sides of the Atlantic.

Pop music hasn’t been untouched by the tones of the accordion either, with such bangers as The Beach Boys’ God Only Knows, Elton John’s Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word and You Are The Everything by R.E.M. all featuring the star of today’s Google Doodle.

It is also a cornerstone of the popular Oktoberfest which, like the accordion, originated in Germany but is now celebrated all over the world.

And as Google highlights with a wonderful pun: ‘With this melody maker in hand, everything goes accordion to plan! The traditional sound continues to influence German celebrations and music across the world 200 years later.’