Essencial Bandoneon Technique: Posture and Bellows Control

Building an Effective Fundamental Technique and Injury-Free Practice

In this article (and in the video below) I’ll discuss about two fundamental aspects of the bandoneon technique: posture and bellows control.

The article unfolds in two parts: the initial part addresses the significance of maintaining proper posture during bandoneon practice, while the latter part focuses on refining bellows control.

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Posture

Maintaining a correct posture is fundamental for injury prevention. It’s vital to establish the right posture at the start of each practice session and periodically check to sustain it.

Seating

Begin with the chair: opt for an armless chair with the seat height approximately aligning with your knees. Situate yourself so that your lower back rests midway on the chair without fully leaning on the backrest, allowing freedom of leg movement. For a more in-depth exploration, I’ve dedicated a specific blog post on this topic, you can read it here.

Legs

Maintain a 90-degree or slightly higher angle in the legs. The bandoneon should be stable on the legs, avoiding it from falling towards the abdomen or leaning forward. A subtle forward lean is advisable to prevent the instrument from slipping onto your lap.

Torso

Keep the torso upright, forming a 90-degree angle with the legs. Project your head upward to release tension in the back muscles during practice. Avoid hunching over the instrument. To reinforce this posture, intermittently take a deep breath, engaging the abdominal muscles as if holding air inside the abdomen. This “resets” the torso muscles, aiding in maintaining an upright position. Shoulders should remain relaxed, never raised but consistently lowered.

Bandoneon’s Position on the Legs

The cabezales, the part of the instrument resting on the knees, should be partially free in the air. This setup allows the bellows to move freely, enhancing control. Leg movement should synchronize with the cabezales and bellows when opening and closing the instrument.

Hands Inside the Straps

Ensure hands are securely placed within the straps. The strap should be reasonably tight, with a 2-3 millimeter distance between the hand and wood when pulled. Although wider straps are preferred by some bandoneon players, the configuration I suggest facilitates comfortable play during both opening and closing.

In the bandoneon, hand movement is rotational rather than vertical.
The point where the strap rests on the hand serves as the center of rotation, acting as a reference for navigating the keyboard without direct sight. Please have a look at this post about hand position in bandoneon.

Now, having covered fundamental posture, let’s explore bellows control.

Bellows Control (Tiro)

Bellows control (tiro in Spanish) is the essence of bandoneon technique. To comprehend and practice this, you can practice exercises with sustained notes, focusing on maintaining consistent volume throughout the bellows extension.

Performing bellows control involves utilizing the larger torso muscles while avoiding strain on smaller ones prone to fatigue.

The Exercise

Select any note, relax the hand, and pull, maintaining a constant sound volume while forming a straight line (linea de tiro in Spanish) during bellows extension.

Closing requires a similar approach, imagining converging forces in a central point without lifting the shoulders, allowing the elbows to rise slightly like if you would hug the bandoneon.
This exercise establishes a line of sound, (linea de sonido en Spanish) laying the foundation for any other action or movement on the bandoneon.

Conclusion

Practice this exercise diary, playing sustained notes at varying intensities—Forte, fortissimo, piano, pianissimo. This exercise not only enhances bellows control, a fundamental aspect of bandoneon technique, but also serves as an effective warm-up before a practice session.

I trust this video and this article enrich your musical journey.
Thank you for watching it, and a estudiar y a tocar!