Basic Introduction to the Cajun Accordion

[JobAGorree]

@cajunpicker. A chord requires just three chord 1-3-5 Adding a d to the F chord will make it a f6 chord....Nice instructions but get your facts straight, this will lead to confusions...look it up

[TheMunich123]

7:21 Goldberg Variations

[radagast65]

Great lesson! I'm new to Cajun accordian and this is exactly what I wanted to know at the outset here.

[eyeball226]

I just realised that you're contradicting yourself. You say a chord is 4 tones and that C is CEGA (I disagree with you here). Then you refer to the chords on the bass which are quite clearly triads. I don't dispute your ability, but your grasp of musical language is somewhat lacking/confused.

[gainesvilleblues]

I had Marc Savoy make me a cajun accordion back in the 90's. I played it a number of times (I was a total beginner), but eventually put it away because I found that my fingers could not reach the entire keyboard without a lot of effort. No one ever explained to me that my thumb should be on the side rather than braced against the back. I'm getting out my accordion again thanks to this video. There is hope yet. Thanks!

[gerogero2006]

Fantastic! Great!. Marvellous! Unique! By the way of music I want to show you what musicians of Brazil and Argentina and Paraguay are doing in folklore music with a accordion and other musical instruments. If you want, please search for these 4 videos, really interesting, special and awesome:

- Voninho e Marcelo

- Tio Mederico- Dvd Os Serranos 40 anos- Sempre Gaúchos

- CHANGO SPASIUK EN FORMOSA KILOMETRO 11 -10/10/2009 (4)

- FLAMINIO ARZAMENDIA "KUARAHY RESE"

[japoofry]

Thank you Cajunpicker for the video. If I want to find out more about these diatonic and concertina type instruments, are there forums or sites that you could recommend? Thank you.

[bjkaboom]

Thanks for the insight! I was wondering how, what and when??

Great for me...the wanna be! Still might buy one!

Thanks for sharing!

Bernie Bjkaboom

[fogboxer]

You also inaccurately say at 7:18 that by using the 7-8 on a pull, you can play a partial F chord, when the notes you are playing are D and F. This could be a D Minor chord or a Bb major chord, but not an F chord, either major or minor, as there is no "D" note. Other than that, interesting video!

[CajunPicker]

@fogboxer As I am sure you are aware, a chord requires four tones. Anything less would be referred to as a triad, or partial. A chord consists of the 1, 3,5 and 6 of a scale, In this case, the D is the 6 note of the F major scales; therefore it is a partial F chord. Also used extensively in Cajun music. Thanks for your interest.

[eyeball226]

@CajunPicker

A chord does not necessitate 4 tones. A triad is a chord.

[signofthebeast666]

@fogboxer: a chord requires 1,3,5 ... and 6??? wtf? A major chord is 1-3-5... that's all. sheesh.

[signofthebeast666]

Very basic, but well done! it's got me inspired! I'm gonna try to find a reasonably priced diatonic accordian. Thanks!

[fogboxer]

There are several inaccuracies in this video which may confuse inexperienced musicians. You say at 6:42 that a 5-7 pull will imply a D chord or an A minor chord. The notes you're playing are D and A, which are found in a D major or D minor chord but NOT found in an A minor chord. The D note is not present in an A minor chord.

[CajunPicker]

@fogboxer Understand that this video is not intended to verse beginning accordion players in chord theory. It is intended to help them understand what buttons work where and why. The Mardi Gras song, the only song in Cajun music that is played in A minor, requires this blend and it must played when the guitar, or rhythm section is playing the A minor chord. While I am aware that the D is not in the A minor chord, it is in the scale and is necessary when applied here.

[andreadytofall]

thanks for making this video, I found my father's old hohner german 10-key and was interested in learning how it is played. This video was really helpful.

[FrolleinFlicki]

Interesting video! For me as a piano player/piano accordionists it's hugely impressive that people can feel satisfied with 2 chords on the left all their lives! :-) I'm quite sure we don't have cajun accordions here in Germany, though...

[sparrow7ful]

I've just lately really noticed Cajun music-and I Love IT!! I/ve been listening to it on the net this morning and found your accordian lesson-THANK YOU!!!You showed me alot; I know I could play this if I could find one to practice on.. IF I;m coordinated enough?!? Do you have any more lessons? Thank you! Got any friends that play in my neck of the woods?Jonesborough ,Tennessee. debbie,sparrow7ful

[Bisbonian]

Terrific instruction. I was just looking to see how one worked...you explained a great deal.

[CharlieMoher]

Love to get one but I don't know what to buy. Anyone have suggestions for reasonable, under $500, starters ?

[AkkordionBloke]

@CharlieMoher

Check out the Bon Tee accordion co. of Iota, Louisiana. You can see what's what at Accordions*comSLASHbonteecajun

[wolvenancestry992]

i'm getting an accordian this week, know anyone who teachers accordian in baton rouge? or new roads?

[nutmegger1957]

What's the name of the accordion that is not much bigger than the palm of your hands, hexagon in shape on the ends, push button, and an accordion bladder in between......????

[DrunkIrelandPunk]

Concertina. They come in both Anglo (Diatonic) and English (Chromatic) styles.

[kingflynn1]

do you mean the ones pirates used to play little squeeze box ?

[sdingeswho]

Fascinating stuff, and a *great* job of *teaching*, which was the whole point :-). I've never played an accordion, but am very musically-inclined otherwise (several instruments), and got curious after watching JoEl Sonnier rip up "Evangeline Special". Interesting to note that it's a "two-key" instrument, like the old two-valve bugles used in drum-corps. A question: What do the four knobs above the chord-keyboard do? Are they for changing reed-sets or something? Or maybe fine-tuning in some way?

[aphato]

hi! wow you are good! i was wondering what is the combination key of a minor.. i just just figure it out...

[billmacaulay]

the advice on holding the accordion and

how to use the thumbstrap is priceless

IVE BEEN CONTORTING MYSELF FOR

MONTHS GETTIN NOWHERE.

Bill

[billmacaulay]

thanks very much for sharing your knowledge with me. i will now go

and practice it.

bill (scotland)

[hardcorechicano]

Chromatic boxes, are almost like a piano accordions, the keys are same in an out, however,I was thinking, is there anyway possible to make a G chord or A chord on the Cajun box? Or should I juss use the F chord an B chord ?

[hardcorechicano]

Can I use the 5 an 7 button to make the g an a chord, so I can play,(C major chord scale in 3rds) ? I want to buy a 10 button accordion, please respond....

[CajunPicker]

Here I am wanting to learn the 5 row chromatic. On a C accordion the 5 and 7 buttons would imply a D chord on the pull and a C chord on the push.

[Yogart956]

Hi

 Great instructional video which I will save. Can I purchase a 10 button in the key of "G" or should I since I sing in the key of "G" and will it still sound cajun if I do?

thanks so much!

[CajunPicker]

A "C" accordion will also play in the key of G. Roughly half of the Cajun repertoire is in G on a C accordion.

[stormspinner1]

Ohhh, chere! Love your music - but you make it look waaaaaaaaaay too easy. LOL Would have to watch this a thousand times to get the hang of it. Plus, I need an accordion, so ... until then, gonna watch. And watch. And watch - LOL Well done.

Is that a Martin?

*StormSpinner* in Texas.