Estonian Diatonic Accordion

First accordions (called lõõts - direct translation for 'bellows') reached Estonia quickly through sailors and merchants. The early instruments had a single, and later ones a double row of buttons. Soon local masters began to make these instruments, the most famous among them was August Teppo (1875–1959) of Võrumaa. He set a type that was copied by others. Teppo's lõõts had great volume, they lasted long and had copper ornaments. Particularly good were Teppo's strings. This lõõts has chords only in major.

Teppo type instruments are called eesti lõõts or võru lõõts (Estonian or Võru diatonic accordion), or Teppo instrument. This instrument is still very popular in Estonia, played by various age groups. Diatonic accordion is taught also at traditional music instruction camps, at various schools and in college.