Zydeco in C, That is Good to know, I like to hear that!
It seems, The Zydeco Sounds I like, don`t seem to be in C. Hey I hope I`m wrong.
I want to play more Zydeco, (I have many Recordings). There is a web site,
I have visited that recommends B flat. Learning Zydeco was reason for Bflat.
I have learned some songs from Sheet Music, but it is hit and Miss. & Videos also( Dirk & Steve Riley)& Also my own invention. I also tried some Cajun Sheet Music (Yellow text Book ). Some worked, some didn`t. Bottom Line,
I am convinced my Weltmeister, is not Pure Cajun. I`m no expert!!!
I am no vocalist either, I only Squeeze!, Thanks Again, from Montreal!
For a first time box, stick with C. Most of the resources (dvd's, youtube videos, music camps) use a C box.
The Yellow Book, is written by a fiddler, and probably most useful for fiddlers. Ann Savoy's book is mostly useful for lyrics. I think the sheet music in there is pretty much the vocal line.
No one has done one for accordion yet.
I've found the cajun box so illogical that trying to follow sheet music to play it was just frustrating.
There are a lot more resources now than when I started 14 years ago. But, I think it's just a frustrating instrument to get started on.
Mr. Guy of Scotland has diligently searched out the roots of 100 old French songs and published them in volumes of 10 songs in musical notation. He has just finished the 8th volume, with the remaining two in progress. You can make your own tabs, if needed.
The music is faithfully reproduced as it was played years ago.
The Zydeco sound can be acheived on a C box with the use of an internal mic, but really you need a band behind you dedicated to playing in the zydeco style, otherwise its just repetitive.
I'm into zydeco too but tend to stick with playing Cajun and Creole tunes- the sound is more acheivable on your own or as a small acoustic outfit, its homegrown music. I reckon the best Zydeco players will have started out in the old style, and those that did'nt probably wish they could play that way.
Good luck with your playing and don't listen to that Zydeco Force song called "B flat"!
Well said by AJ above….Zydeco, Creole, Cajun are three different sounds and after a few years of playing you should be able to pick them out…….just to add a bit…i love to play zydeco and some of it by itself sounds terrible because it is too simple and repetitive….the grove of the band gives most of the feel and sound ….by adding just a bass guitar and drums will make a world of difference….the key will not make a world of difference but an internal mic will…i have one in both a Bb and C...…..Keith Frank, Chris Ardoin, J Paul, Geno Delafose, Brian Jack, Wayne Singleton….all of these guys have several songs on a C box
I love B-flat. I have been performing Zydeco continuously since 1998. Up until 2 years ago, I didn't even own a C accordion, much less perform on one. I have one now, and I switch between the C and the B-flat.
I have never attended a jam session, and not sure that I ever would. I don't think it is a valid concern that you MUST have a C accordion or you can't play at a jam session. If there's more than one key at a jam, take turns.
Get the key you want.
Having said all that...
A month or so ago, we hosted Jeffery Broussard - Mr. Oh B-Flat himself. Guess what - he was playing a C accordion all night! I kinda teased him about that.
BTW, an unexpected treat of the night was the fact that D'Jalma Garnier was playing bass. I knew of him as reviving the Creole fiddle style, but I did not know about his rock roots playing bass. For me, as a former blues/rock bass player turned Zydeco accordion player, it was a fascinating discussion we had about some similarities in our musical journeys.
The April 2011 Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week
