The digital piano accordion: a modern instrument for traditional and contemporary performance contexts

摘要

This research investigates traditional and contemporary performance contexts using audmodern, digital piano accordion. It has been conducted through a series of performances thatudhighlight idiomatic playing styles, the adaptation of playing techniques for digitaludinstruments, those circumstances where the use of a digital instrument is most convincing,udand my own skills as an accordionist. Recordings of these performances are included with theudaccompanying exegesis, which examines repertoire, playing styles and techniquesudtraditionally associated with the stradella accordion. In addition, the exegesis addressesudquestions concerning the degree to which the digital instrument serves as a replacement forudan acoustic accordion, the use of non-reeded sounds to enhance performance outcomes andudopportunities, and the identification of performance contexts that validate the use of a digitaludinstrument.udA variety of potential solo and group performance contexts that explore the use of reeded andudnon-reeded or electronic sounds are promoted, leading to discussions of technical andudaesthetic considerations that guide and refine performance practice where a digital instrumentudis used. Research findings show that in many respects the digital instrument is a plausibleudreplacement for its acoustic counterpart, and that performance applications are context driven;udtheir success dependent on the manner in which they confirm and enhance theudidentity of the piano accordion as an instrument in its own right.