Strap on this 25-pound musical instrument, give it a squeeze, and you’re bound to be the center of attention.
Why settle for just singing when you can play the accordion?
With sounds that echo the violin, organ grinder, piano, monkey, calliope, and even the circus, the accordion is a versatile instrument, capable of both whimsical and serious tones.
From Tchaikovsky to Devo, the accordion has found its place across genres.
“You’ll find the accordion in nearly every style of music around the world,” said Joe Petosa Jr., the third-generation owner of Petosa Accordions, located in Lynnwood at 19503 56th Ave. W.
Though the accordion saw a decline in popularity during the 1970s and 1980s, Petosa notes that it is experiencing a revival with a new generation of players.
The business was founded in 1922 by Carlo Petosa, an Italian immigrant, and has remained a family-owned operation. Seven years ago, the company relocated from Seattle to Lynnwood, where it continues to sell, rent, and repair both new and used accordions. The company’s instruments are still crafted at their factory in Italy.
The cost of these instruments ranges from $4,500 to $40,000, with some taking up to 18 months to complete.
“It can mimic a horn section or stand in for every instrument in an orchestra,” Petosa said. “When musicians realize what the accordion can do musically, it’s jaw-dropping. They can’t believe an accordion can achieve all that.”
In the last decade or two, the accordion has made a comeback, often in unexpected places—featured alongside Nirvana co-founder Krist Novoselic, in concert with singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow, and even in video games.
Petosa has noticed a trend when parents bring their children to the shop. “They’ll tell me, ‘I first heard it in a video game,’” he said.
When Josiah Burkman started playing the accordion, people came forward to share stories of their grandparents who had played the instrument. “It’s like a tradition passed down through generations,” Burkman said.
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