The bandoneon is a bellows instrument similar to a concertina and partly to the accordion.

It was developed in the 19th century by the German musician Heinrich Band, from whom it takes its name. Band, a well-known organist, designed the bandoneon in 1852 to have a small, easily transportable instrument with a sound resembling a church organ. It was intended to accompany religious ceremonies in remote mountain chapels, where transporting and assembling a full organ was impractical.

In the 20th century, massive German emigration to South America led to the spread of the bandoneon in countries like Argentina and Uruguay, making it an integral part of the culture and folklore of these nations.
Indeed, some traditional South American music genres like tango prominently feature the bandoneon. Its melodic and passionate sound has become an icon of Latin American culture, inspiring many artists to incorporate it into their music, both in traditional and contemporary contexts.

How the bandoneon is made

The bandoneon consists of a box housing the keys and reeds. The two halves of the box are typically made of pine or spruce wood, the latter also used in violin construction.

These types of wood are chosen for their internal structure containing tubules that act like small organ pipes, amplifying the sound. The mechanism generating the bandoneon’s timbre through key pressure and bellows movement is intricate; it’s classified as a reed instrument with bellows. Although it may not seem so at first glance, it’s technically a wind instrument, using bellows motion to produce air instead of the player’s lung power.

The accordion-style bellows extend over a meter when fully opened, divided into three sections, each with five folds. Wooden frames separate the sections, reinforcing the structure. The bandoneon features keys on both sides, with 38 for the high register and 33 for the low register.

To play a chord, multiple keys must be pressed simultaneously. The player inserts their hands into two straps fixed to the exterior of the boxes, leaving fingers free to press the keys. Eight fingers are used for playing, while the thumbs maintain grip outside the straps. The right thumb also operates the air valve for special effects.

The bandoneon is a keyboard instrument, but unlike traditional ones, it produces two different sounds for each key—one when pressing and another when releasing. This is achieved with two sets of reeds activated respectively during pressing and releasing phases. Many bandoneon keys are diatonic, meaning they produce different notes depending on whether the bellows are being opened or closed. This gives each key set four possible positions, requiring complex technical mastery.

Other components include the valve controlling airflow and the register, which changes the pitch.
Though small, the bandoneon’s technical complexity means high-quality models are expensive and rare. Few craftsmen produce and repair bandoneons, making them even more valuable.
There are simpler models called “monophonic” bandoneons, which do not produce two different notes per key press, making them technically easier to play.

The music genres featuring the bandoneon

Some traditional music genres from Argentina and Uruguay, like tango and milonga, prominently feature the bandoneon. Its melodic and passionate sound has become a symbol of South American culture, inspiring many artists to incorporate it into their compositions.

It’s also used in folk, classical, pop, and jazz music. Some musicians have started playing it experimentally, incorporating it into contemporary genres like rock and electronic, creating an intriguing blend of tradition and innovation.
The bandoneon also appears in folk music from England, Ireland, and Scotland and is popular in various European countries, used in styles like country and folk.

However, it’s not typically associated with Italian folk compositions. In Italy, traditional bellows instruments like the accordion and organetto are more common. Recently, there’s been growing interest in the bandoneon among musicians and folk music enthusiasts.

This instrument was introduced to Italy between the World Wars, mainly due to tango’s popularity spreading across the peninsula. However, it never reached the same level of popularity as the accordion.
The bandoneon has been used in some Italian folk music forms, such as Neapolitan songs and tarantella, but it’s not considered typical.

Overall, it remains an exception rather than the rule in Italian folk music, but its growing popularity among traditional music musicians and enthusiasts could lead to greater presence in Italy’s music scene in the future.

Famous bandoneon players

Many famous bandoneon players, past and present, have contributed to this instrument’s popularity and widespread use. Here are some of the most influential names:

• Astor Piazzolla: One of the greatest bandoneon players in history; an Argentine composer and arranger who fused traditional tango with jazz and classical elements, creating a new genre known as “nuevo tango“.

• Aníbal Troilo: An Argentine bandoneonist and composer who played and recorded with some of the greatest tango singers of his time. Troilo was an innovator in bandoneon use, introducing new styles and techniques to tango music.

• Juan José Mosalini: Also from Argentina, he helped spread the bandoneon across Europe, performing in numerous countries both as a soloist and with an ensemble.

• Osvaldo Pugliese: An Argentine bandoneonist and composer, among the most important representatives of traditional tango; he composed some of the most famous tangos in history.

The bandoneon meets technology

Various plugins simulate the bandoneon’s sound, offering control over numerous aspects of its timbre and adding effects.
These software tools allow musicians to easily record bandoneon parts for their compositions without needing the physical instrument; they can be played using a MIDI controller, whether keyboard, wind, or other types.
Numerous bandoneon plugins are available for different operating systems and music production software, transforming a controller into a virtual bandoneon with varying expressive possibilities derived from the control surfaces’ characteristics.