Advent of the Piano Accordion

This chapter introduces the piano accordion and explains its modern evolution from earlier free-reed instruments. It explores the development of the modern piano accordion through a look at its European roots, then provides a discussion of its evolution as a uniquely American instrument, setting the stage for discussions of the accordion's emerging social capital—its capacity to express social status and power, and what accounted for its increasingly visible role in popular culture. Finally, this chapter sheds light on vaudeville star Guido Deiro's (1886–1951) pioneering role as a popular culture figure and his significant role in cementing a place for the accordion in American musical culture.