Learn norteño accordionfrom zero
Learn to play norteño accordion with interactive lessons, button diagrams, guided exercises and step-by-step practice. See exactly which button to press and which way to move the bellows, and hear every note.
- Free lessons: no account or card
- English and Spanish
- Phone, tablet or computer
Live, not a picture. Press and hold a button. Switch Push and Pull.Synthesized tone
Built to be clearer than video lessons
Video tutorials can mean pausing, rewinding, reading a mirrored keyboard and guessing the bellows. We designed the opposite.
You often pause to see which button the player pressed
The exact button is highlighted on a map of your keyboard
It can be hard to tell whether they pushed or pulled
Every step says Push or Pull, and the note changes when you switch
The camera can show the keyboard reversed
A consistent chart view, labeled by row and button number
Hard to check if you are in time
Tap-along rhythm exercises tell you which notes were early or late
Practice structure is often up to you
Short steps, instant checks, a practice timer and streaks
Often in one language only
Every lesson in English and Spanish
How a lesson works
Short, focused lessons that teach one idea at a time, with a clear finish line.
Learn
A short, plain-language explanation of one idea.
See and hear
An interactive diagram plays the buttons, bellows direction and bass at a tempo you choose.
Try
A guided exercise on the button map, checked as you go.
Check
Quizzes, ear training and tap-along rhythm checks with instant feedback.
The curriculum
Thirteen courses from your first button to playing with a band. The first lesson of every course is free.
Meet Your Accordion
The parts of the three-row button accordion, its tuning, posture, safe bellows handling and your first push and pull notes.
Your First Notes
Name the notes on the middle row, read accordion diagrams and play your first note patterns.
Rhythm and Musical Basics
Pulse, tempo, note lengths, counting and the metronome, then simple norteño rhythms with bellows changes in time.
Scales and Keys
The C, G and F major scales on their own rows, intervals, crossing rows and practical scale drills.
Coordination and Bass
The left hand, bass and chord buttons, bass-chord accompaniment and keeping both hands together through bellows changes.
Your First Norteño Melody
Short original melodies: note sequences, phrasing and rhythm with pitch, built up slowly to a full beginner piece.
Introduction to Norteño Polka
Polka timing and feel, characteristic melodic shapes and a basic accompaniment, practiced with original exercises.
Corridos and Accompaniment
Corrido rhythm, melody against accompaniment, common song structures and an original corrido-style piece with a backing track.
Huapangos and Other Rhythms
Identify regional rhythms, meter and phrasing, introductory huapango patterns and how they compare with polka.
Ornaments and Technique
Articulation, grace notes, beginner ornaments, finger independence, bellows control and building speed carefully.
Ear Training
Recognize notes, simple intervals, melodic patterns and rhythmic phrases, and play back short sequences by ear.
Play With a Band
Count in, stay in time, follow song sections and understand each instrument’s role, with original practice tracks.
From Beginner to Musician
Combine your techniques, build a practice routine, play complete original pieces and assess your own playing.
Membership
Try the first lesson of every course free. Join when you’re ready; cancel anytime online.
Monthly
Cancel anytime.
Annual
About $12.42 a month.
Questions
Do I need to read sheet music?
No. Lessons use button diagrams, note names and push and pull directions. You learn to read accordion diagrams step by step.
Which accordion do I need?
The courses use a three-row G/C/F (“Sol”) diatonic button accordion with 31 treble buttons and 12 basses, a very common norteño setup. Other tunings such as F/B♭/E♭ (“Fa”) follow the same button pattern with different note names. Lesson 2 of Course 1 shows you how to check what you have.
Can I start without an accordion?
Yes. Every lesson works on screen with the interactive button map and sound. To play real music you’ll want an accordion; lessons include optional steps to try on your instrument.
Are there videos, live classes or a teacher?
No. Accordion From Zero is self-guided: written lessons, interactive diagrams, sound and automatic exercise checks, available any time.
What’s free?
The first lesson of every course: 13 full lessons, with no account or card needed. A free account also saves your progress on every device.
How much is the membership?
US$19.99 a month or US$149 a year, plus any applicable tax. It renews automatically until you cancel.
Try a real lesson free
No account and no credit card. Learn the rows, the bellows and your first push and pull notes in about 12 minutes.
Start your first free lesson →