Song of the Month seems to stir little interest, possibly because it is daunting to many students. Constructive criticism is seldom heard, while polite "attaboys" encourage, z don't foster improvement. Beyond the SOM,there isn't much instructive help offered to aspiring players from our forum.
How 'bout tips and licks? Specific keyboard techniques, dynamics, and rhythmic devices don't get much play on this forum. If we all shared our tricks and licks, then the abilities of many of the group might well be enhanced.
Many of us are mired in the process of trying to learn with little or no formal instruction, so the demonstration of the nuances that make Cajun accordion music unique would be most helpful. Videoing a lick is a lot easier than a whole song, so participation might be increased
.
Each little trick or gimmick learned often plays across the entire repertoire. This is how we improve our overall play.
If playing the Cajun accordion is a object of the forum, then instruction should play a larger part in in our discourse.
Yeah!! I'm with you on that Ned. It's difficult living far from it all with only audio and videos with which to work. 7 years now and it's only this year that I'm figuring out how to really start to use the middle 2 fingers.
Man.. some of the things that people say are so easy - like triplets. I have no clue where to even start. And some of these blends and grace notes. No clue how to fit them in.
It's important to listen to the songs and get them in your head, but for a lot of this, there is no substitute for being able to see how some of these sounds are made and having someone show you.
I've previously asked some of the more accomplished players for suggestions for SOTM.
Now... how about those who are struggling?
My thoughts are that SOTM is for learning and mentoring and helping folks build a repertoire so they don't get frustrated at a jam and leave and sell their box. So it just doesn't matter if the song has been done a year or two ago.
So Ned.. what songs would you like to see? If anyone would rather make a suggestion off-line, send me an email at.. john(dot)alexander(at)preachain(dot)org
Ned - your post got me thinking. I will introduce a "Technique of the Month" in addition to the "Song of the Month".
Maybe it will work out - maybe not. It's worth a shot.
The idea will be to showcase a technique and get folks to demonstrate that technique. Just a phrase or two from a song to show how to make it fit and some advice on not abusing the technique maybe.
So many that I'd like help with... where to start. Must think on this.
The "ring-finger bounce" and the many applications of it would make for a worthy subject.
I'm just a fledgling, but to me, this technique as possibly the most important button sequence on the box.
John A's mention of learning to use the middle fingers defines a major plateau in learning to play this instrument. I think of it as playing between the octaves. Working those middle fingers employs the ring-finger bounce in various ways.
You are spot on with that Ned. I've been thinking on that all day and the ring finger bounce keeps coming up for me. It is everywhere in the music and is an integral part of octaves.
Easy to do and easy to over do. Making it fit just right is the trick.
I do believe that will be the topic of the first monthly "Technique of the Month"
GREAT POST
These are the areas that are so difficult to figure out. Videos would be so helpful to those of us teaching ourselves. Thanks for the great idea and continue to pursue it.
Here is a song I have been working on. I have the basic melody figured out, but can't seem to put the fill notes in place. If this song could be broken down into parts, it would be the piece of the puzzle that is missing. I've included a link. Let me know what you think.
I missed this topics... great post Nedro, I am completely agree with you.
As I said in an other topic, cajun melodies are not very difficult to get. We can confess honestly than, like other traditional musics I study, the melodies are very simple (due to the diatonic scale and because, at the origin, this kind of music were just done to make people dancing on it more than to listen to).
BUT, like other traditional music, all is about rhythm, variations and ornements, so TIPS and LICKS, and that the point!
I personally agree with you Nedro and I try to build me a bank of licks and tips that I can use in my whole repertoire.
But, like everybody, I learn cajun music alone in my part of the world, isolated from other braves, and I have already reach my limits in this way of learning...
So you proposition is great and I would like also to see that kind of discussion in this forum.
The April 2011 Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week
