Which piece should you learn on the accordion? This is the question every accordionist asks, from the beginner looking for their first rewarding tune to the experienced musician wanting to enrich their stage repertoire.
Here is our selection of 10 essential pieces, chosen for their diversity: from sea shanties that went viral to classical masterpieces, and Irish tunes that ignite sessions. Each piece is arranged specifically for chromatic accordion with Stradella basses, available in PDF with a complete audio demo, and the level (from 1 to 5) is indicated for each.
Sea Shanties: the accordion in its element
1. Wellerman (level 3)
The phenomenon. This 19th-century New Zealand sea shanty went viral in 2021 and remains one of the most requested accordion pieces today. Its catchy rhythm and minor melody fit perfectly under the fingers, with excellent work on bass regularity. If you had to learn just one to get everyone singing around you, this would be it. See the Wellerman sheet music for accordion
2. Drunken Sailor (level 4)
The most catchy of traditional sea shanties. Its tempo encourages speeding up and its verses flow one after another, making it a formidable stage piece: start slowly, speed up with each repeat, and the audience is yours. See the Drunken Sailor sheet music for accordion
Ireland: the energy of sessions
3. Irish Washerwoman (level 4)
The quintessential Irish jig. This 6/8 note mill is a fantastic exercise in speed and endurance for the right hand, while the left hand drives the jig rhythm. A must-have for any Irish session. See the Irish Washerwoman sheet music for accordion
Melodies that make you travel
4. Bella Ciao (level 2)
Everyone knows Bella Ciao, and everyone asks for it. This Italian song, popular worldwide in recent years, is accessible from level 2: clear melody, simple accompaniment, immediate effect. The perfect piece for a beginner accordionist who wants to please those around them. See the Bella Ciao sheet music for accordion
5. La Paloma (level 3)
This 1860 habanera has traveled the world, from Spain to Mexico and Hawaii. Its characteristic sway is an excellent lesson for the basses: you learn to make the rhythm breathe instead of just marking it. See the La Paloma sheet music for accordion
6. Hej Sokoły (level 4)
This traditional song, immensely popular in Poland and Eastern Europe, alternates melancholic verses and a lively chorus. It’s exactly the kind of piece where the accordion is irreplaceable: the instrument alone carries all the nostalgia and all the celebration. A title still rare in Western European repertoires, perfect to stand out. See the Hej Sokoły sheet music for accordion
Pure emotion
7. Amazing Grace (level 2)
The most famous hymn in the English-speaking world. On the accordion, its slow and broad melody becomes a magnificent bellows exercise: each phrase must breathe like a voice. Technically accessible, musically demanding, it’s the ideal piece to learn to play with heart. See the Amazing Grace sheet music for accordion
The great classical repertoire
8. Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers (level 4)
Extracted from The Nutcracker, it’s perhaps the most famous waltz in the symphonic repertoire. And a waltz on the accordion is a natural playground: the left hand alternates bass and chords just like in musette, while the right hand shines on fast runs. See the Waltz of the Flowers sheet music for accordion
9. Mozart’s Requiem Lacrimosa (level 5)
Probably the most moving work you can play on the accordion. Composed in 1791, the year Mozart died, this unfinished page of the Requiem takes on a heartbreaking dimension on our instrument: the bellows literally become the breath of the choir, and the registers reproduce the texture of the voices. A beautiful challenge reserved for musicians aiming to reach the highest levels. See the Lacrimosa sheet music for accordion
The grand finale
10. Tico Tico (level 5)
The ultimate showcase piece. This 1917 Brazilian choro, immortalized by the greatest accordionists, demands speed, rhythmic precision, and endurance. It’s the piece that triggers applause even before the last note. If you’re looking for a long-term goal worth pursuing, here it is. See the Tico Tico sheet music for accordion
How to choose your level?
Our 1 to 5 rating system helps you choose the piece suited to your current progress:
- Level 1: accessible from the first weeks or months of serious practice on your instrument.
- Level 2: fairly easy, but clearly higher than level 1. The melody is clear and the accompaniment allows you to already feel the spirit of the piece.
- Levels 3 and 4: polished versions requiring some technique and rhythm mastery.
- Level 5: the most demanding level in the shop, for a rich version without compromise on the beauty of the work.
An important note about our arrangements: the priority is respecting the original work. If a melody requires a certain complexity to sound right, we refuse to oversimplify it. That’s why some titles in this selection, like Lacrimosa or Tico Tico, are only available at level 5.
All our sheet music is compatible with all chromatic accordions (C or B system button keyboards, piano keyboard) and uses the Stradella bass system found on the vast majority of instruments. Each score includes a complete audio demo: you hear exactly what you will play before buying, and the audio then serves as a reference for practice.
To go further
Several titles from this selection are grouped in the Premium Accordion Pack Vol.1: 15 scores among our bestsellers, from sea shanties to classical masterpieces, at a reduced price. And if Ireland calls you, our Irish Pack gathers the greatest session tunes.
Enjoy the music, and happy bellows!
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