Accordion
The accordion is a more recent addition to instruments used in Scottish music. It originated from Italy in the early 19th Century and quickly became popular all over Europe.
In Scotland it is used mainly in the playing of dance music. One of the most well-known Scottish accordion players was Jimmy Shand, who sold millions of albums worldwide between the 1940s and 1970s.
In the track below Jimmy Shand performs the ‘The Bluebell Polka'. The accordion leads the melody with accompaniment.
The Bluebell Polka performed by Jimmy Shand
The accordion is a prominent feature of the Scottish dance band which also includes fiddle, piano and drums. The Scottish dance band plays a variety of Scottish music for people to dance to. Styles include the march, strathspey, reel, jig and waltz.
The accordion can also be found in as part of folk groups, where it is often heard alongside the fiddle.
In more recent years, accordian player Phil Cunningham and fiddle player Aly Bain have become very well-known and regularly perform worldwide.
Western Lilt performed by Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain