Welcome to old and new friends who are interested in discussing Cajun and other diatonic accordions, along with some occasional lagniappe....



CAJUN ACCORDION DISCUSSION GROUP

 

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Re: discussion?

LOL, she was stern. But under her care, I never suffered one iota of strife nor fear. She protected us with all her might. But we sure as hell knew to never curse or misbehave in her presence. A true old fashioned German Cajun woman. She had to learn English with her children (my mother, aunts, and uncles) that were getting beaten and shamed in public school for speaking the only language they knew, Cajun French. She learned English with them in order to protect them from their teachers. Not so horrible when you think about it.

She would give my Grandfather hell because he often acted the fool with the grand children and letting us do crazy stuff like drive trucks and such at the ripe old age of 4 or so. There is an account of him letting two of his sons take a truck to the neighbors. One drove the stirring wheel, the other was on the floor pushing the gas and the brake. They were 5 and 6. LOL, so yeah, she would get pretty mad at him sometimes. The volume of her voice was set to German standards. So when she was angry and said the words "pas rien!" in a very loud tone, we all knew the dynamite had been lit! Get the hell out of dodge and go to the mulberry tree for a few hours. Ahhhhhh Life! Did I over share? LOL Was that too much?

Re: discussion?

Chris Miller once typed these words in the description of his video where he plays his version of the Mardi Gras song:

And I quote...
" This traditional tune is a bit odd for Cajun accordion repertoire because it is in A minor. When I first heard this tune in my youth, it was never with a band...it was with solo accordion and/or voice. I provide a bit of stomping hear, there is usually a lot of that on the "Courir de Mardi Gras!" I always thought it had an odd sort of appeal--a quirky, haunting character...guess that really fits for Mardi Gras!"

So, I Greezy McGill decide to look up the definition of "quirky". How in the hell did Mr. Miller know to use the word "quirky", and why did he use that particular word to describe the Cajun Mardi Gras song? I heard he was a school teacher?

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quirky - characterized by peculiar or unexpected traits (eccentric, idiosyncratic, unconventional, unorthodox, unusual, off-center, strange, bizarre, weird, peculiar, odd, freakish, outlandish, offbeat, out of the ordinary, Bohemian, alternative, zany;)

Something or someone that is strange/not normal, but cool like Greezy McGill
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LOL, you folks have a great spring and summer. Continue your discoveries on the Cajun accordion. Remember that the pursuit of mastery of the Cajun accordion can be addictive and time consuming, taking you away from family and friends and everyday activities and task. That's because Cajun accordion playing can be and usually is for me at least, "an escape" from the realities and responsibilities of modern times and society. It is like a "Rubics Cube" that makes more and more progressively beautiful sounds every time you turn its rows in the correct direction and get closer and closer to solving the puzzle. Thus, in the end, satisfying our mind's seemingly endless need to find, recognize, and master previously unseen or unnoticed patterns. The recognition of patterns and eventually the ability to apply those patterns to life will usually, but not always, bring about the much sought after good and satisfying feeling of "peace of mind".

Will the world still want to hear Cajun accordion when we finally discover every known and unknown pattern of the Cajun accordion and Cajun music? No, the world won't, but a few people here and there spread throughout the world will. And we will die and be made into legends (or forgotten) by new generations that come after us. But in the end, it is the music, the culture, the legends, and the common lone musician seeking to fit into a world that would reject him or her that keeps it going.

Jerray!!! Over 350 views and counting! See if you can find my message in this song.
"D" accordion key of "D" on the push.
Or, if you're really brave
"C" accordion key of "D" Blues Key.



Jamey Hall's most excellent Cajun Accordion Music Theory

Brett's all new Cajun Accordion Music Theory for all keys!

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