The Accordion in Twentieth-Century China

This thesis explores the role of the accordion in modern Chinese music history and culture focusing on the music and performance practice of three types of accordions: diatonic, chromatic (the keyboard and the button types) and free-bass accordions. 162 pages. 1 Introduction; 2 The accordion in the world and in China - a brief history; 3 The accordion as the icon of modernity; 4 The accordion as a political tool; 5 The accordion in the performing arts; 6 Notation systems and transcriptions of accordion music; 7 Conclusion;