Piano, Accordion or Harpsichord? Your Decision Guide
AI-generated (EU AI Act, Art. 50): the voice and text in this video were created with AI assistance.
Updated: 2026-09-03
Quick Comparison: Three Keyboard Instruments
| Criterion | Piano | Accordion | Harpsichord |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key mechanism | Hammer action (weighted) | Buttons/keys (light touch) | Plectrum (spring, very light) |
| Polyphony | 10 fingers = 10 voices | Melody + bass (2 hands, 2 systems) | 10 fingers = 10 voices |
| Dynamics | Via touch (pp-ff) | Via bellows (pp-ff) | None (registration changes) |
| Entry instrument cost | Digital piano €400-800 | Beginner accordion €500-1200 | Digital piano w/ harpsichord register or harpsichord access |
| Repertoire breadth | Huge (classical, jazz, pop, film) | Folk, classical, tango, klezmer, Balkan | Baroque, Renaissance, early Classical |
| Learning curve start | Medium (2-hand coordination) | Medium (bellows + 2 systems) | Easy (less force, but articulation) |
| Portable | No (digital: partly) | Yes (excellent) | No |
| Online lesson suitability | Excellent (camera on keys) | Excellent (3 cams: keys, bellows, posture) | Excellent (articulation visible) |
Prices are indicative for beginner instruments (2026, based on music retailer data).
Decision Questions: What Fits You?
Choose PIANO if...
- You love classical piano literature (Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy)
- You also want to play jazz, pop, film music
- You want an instrument for home that's "always there"
- You might later play in bands/ensembles (most versatile accompanist)
- You value weighted keys and dynamic control
Choose ACCORDION if...
- You love folk music, tango, klezmer, Balkan music
- You want a portable instrument (travel, sessions, festivals)
- The unique bellows breathing as musical expression fascinates you
- You want to play bass accompaniment AND melody simultaneously (one-man orchestra)
- You want to learn diatonic (Styrian) OR chromatic (bayan)
Choose HARPSICHORD if...
- You love Baroque music (Bach, Scarlatti, Couperin, Rameau)
- Historical performance practice fascinates you (articulation, ornamentation, temperaments)
- You already play piano and seek a "historical branch"
- You want to learn the clear, articulatory language (non-legato, overholding, inégalité)
- You have access to a harpsichord (church, music school, own instrument)
Can You Combine or Switch Instruments?
Many students combine: Piano + Harpsichord (understand historical roots), Accordion + Piano (deepen harmonic understanding). Mirco Lieber teaches all three, switching is seamless.
Free Trial: 30 Min to Decide
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Related Comparisons
- Piano vs Keyboard: Which Should You Learn?
- Accordion vs Piano: Which Is Easier?
- Online vs. Präsenzunterricht
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I learn piano first and switch to harpsichord later?
Excellent path. Piano technique is the best foundation for harpsichord. The switch enriches piano playing (articulation, ornamentation).
Is accordion harder than piano?
Different, not harder. Bellows control instead of touch dynamics, two independent systems (melody/bass). With good guidance, equally fast to learn.
Do I need my own harpsichord to start?
For beginners, a digital piano with harpsichord register or access to a harpsichord (church, music school) is sufficient. Mirco advises on finding one.
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Further reading: Accordion vs Piano: Which Instrument Fits You? · Cembalo for Piano Players
Mirco Lieber is a concert musician (accordion, harpsichord, organ, piano) and music educator with two completed master's degrees in the concert subject: accordion at the Academy of Music, Ljubljana and harpsichord at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (MDW). With more than 30 years of teaching experience he teaches students worldwide online.
Read the full biography