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: Best Cajun fiddle learning video/dvd?

Generally, tuning down works well if playing with a C accordion (C and G keys). For one thing, itt allows you to use open double stops that are difficult and/or impossible is the fiddle is tuned standard. Another aspect, is the 'feel' or the key you playing in. If you play guitar, then you know playing something first postion C has a very different sound and color playing the same thing in first position E. Has to do with how many thirds there are and where they are in the chord structure. Fiddle is no different.
Some people will tell you it's cheating or going the easy route to retune. But it certainly isn't new. There's a bunch of classical pieces that instructed how to tune the string instruments for the piece. When all else fails, remind people the everybody plays in flat keys so horn players don't have to.
There was a yahoo group for cajun fiddle, but not a lot of activity.
Steve

Re: Best Cajun fiddle learning video/dvd?

It is my opinion that people who knock fiddle and banjo tunings do not understand the tonal differances that tunings provide. They do make finger reaches easier but you have to learn new cord positions

They would most certainly cringe at playing a C accordion in G with a flatted F and the wrong chords.

Re: Best Cajun fiddle learning video/dvd?

Maz,
Al Berard has a terrific beginning fiddle DVD. He breaks down two tunes, a waltz and a two-step, and includes both the lead and the seconding. Mitch's Fiddle from Scratch DVD is good, too. Michael Doucet's is a bit beyond the beginner stage, I think, but definitely worth having.

Re: Re: Best Cajun fiddle learning video/dvd?

Do any of the DVDs have real basics, like tuning, positioning, bowing techniques, etc?

Re: Re: Re: Best Cajun fiddle learning video/dvd?

For absolute beginner, you may want to seek out a more generalized instructional DVD. Check out Homespun. Even though it's for Southern Oldtime, Brad Leftwich's DVD assumes you're pretty much starting from scratch. You'll find many of the techniques, such as double stops and shuffles, cross over to a cajun style quite comfortably. I would suggest finding a fiddler that can get you started, hand positioning, tuning. Those are the kinds of things that are difficult to do with a DVD. You really need a voice to say "no, no, no', to get those things on the right track and avoid bad habits.
Steve



Jamey Hall's most excellent Cajun Accordion Music Theory

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

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