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

 

General Forum
Start a New Topic 
Author
Comment
Anyone heading to Augusta for Cajun/Creole Week?

I am heading down to Augusta for my first instructional camp experience. I am looking forward to getting some real hands on instruction. I hope to do this in 07 and do Balfa camp in 08. Just couldnt swing Balfa this year although I loved the pictures everyone posted and some of my cajun acquaintences were there.

Can anyone give me a rough idea about the difference between Advance Beginner and Intermediate. I read the descriptions and am not quite sure where to put myself. I can play about 20 tunes at dance speed but I dont play alot of ornamentation or grace notes (as they say in Irish music). Just sort of bang out the tunes; some in octaves. Where does the ornamentation come in, in the AB class or the intermediate?

Kind of an off topic question about the camp. Would I be crazy to take my road bicycle down there with me? I understand it is hilly which is okay, but are the roads relatively safe to ride on?

Thanks so much,
Bob O'M>

Re: Anyone heading to Augusta for Cajun/Creole Week?

Hi Bob,

Boy, I sure *hope* we can make it this year! We had
to pass on Balfa camp due to schedule conflicts :-(

My guess is that if you can pull off 20 tunes, you're
very likely beyond "beginner"!

Beginner class usually starts with something like a
simple 99-Year Waltz and sticks with it for quite
a while.

I'd say the classes are fairly flexible, and you can
move around to where you're comfortable.

Depending on the instructor, even the most advanced
classes frequently start with a bit of summarizing
and review about the various techniques before
launching into a tune.

(Are there 3-class levels? Ornamentation is
probably introduced right beyond beginner ..)

I'd say that a recorder is a must, since there's
just too much to retain. A video recorder really
helps to recall positioning techniques!

There was quite a discussion on this topic several
threads back.

Yes, it's hilly, but a bike may be nice to get around
on campus.

Hope to see ya'll there!

--Big Nick

Re: Re: Anyone heading to Augusta for Cajun/Creole Week?

Thanks Nick. Actually they have 4 levels. Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. I need to put myself in the class where they learn the ornamentation.
Looking forward to seeing you and other Braves there.

Bob O'M>

Re: Re: Re: Anyone heading to Augusta for Cajun/Creole Week?

From the sound of your knowledge of music, and folk music in general, I would say that the intermediate class is the lowest level you should consider taking.



Jamey Hall's most excellent Cajun Accordion Music Theory

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

LFR1.gif - 1092 Bytes The April 2011 Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week

augusta.gif - 6841 Bytes

Listen to Some GREAT Music While You Surf the Net!!
The BEST Radio Station on the Planet!