Basic Introduction to the Cajun Accordion

This is a short primer on the ins and outs of holding the accordion, using the bass to accompany yourself and the different blends that are commonly used.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Cajun
• accordion
• Ganey
• Arsement
• Creole
• Zydeco
• Louisiana

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[signofthebeast666]

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

[signofthebeast666]

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

[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.

[eyeball226]

@CajunPicker

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

[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"