Hello Braves,

Thanks again all for helping to provide input on what should be covered in my “Play Cajun Accordion” DVD 2.

Many responses have indicated that they’d like a second DVD to stay-the-course of the first, complete the “b” and “c” parts of the songs presented on the first, and include more material of a similar level.

Many other responses indicate that more challenging material would be good.

So, in an effort to please both requirements, my plan is to create 2 new DVD’s, one being “Beginning Level next steps” and an “Intermediate” level DVD as well.

It may actually take me more time to create a “Next Steps” DVD than an intermediate level one because I will need to transcribe and create a bare-bones version of the songs and work up to the “full-speed” versions.

All songs will be accompanied by complete tablature and sheet music (for which I have figured out how to tab chords & blends vertically).

For the Next Steps level, I have “Choupique” recorded, will finish “Cowboy Waltz” (parts b and c), and will finish “Hey Mom” (parts b and c which can get quite complex).

I’m considering adding “Amede Two Step” and then looking for more ideas

So far, for the intermediate level, I have the following songs “in the can”:

Between Opelousas and Eunice (in 4 parts)
Perrodin Two Step
Fi Fi Poncho (illustrating the “Chanky Chank” key)

I may include “Mamou Two Step”, “Chere bebe” (more Chanky Chank)

Maybe an Octa Clark tune would be good, like “Back or Town” or “Cajun Hot Step”.

So, I just wanted to let all who are interested or interested in contributing that the project is moving ahead!

Merci,

--Big

Sounds like a plan, Nick.

One can never have too much training material.

Waiting for Jerry Moody to do a tutorial CD, as well.

How about it, LP?

JB

Thanks for the comment(s).

Keep the feedback coming so that I may provide as
valuable a service as I humbly can

--BN

Well,
To begin with, you could invite all the Braves up to Wisconsin for a free yellow perch and walleye fish fry. After we're all comatose from eating all that great cold water fish, you could announce that the CD's are on the house, as well as the beer.

I guess that's not really the feed back you wanted, right?

JB

Well, I'm not sure ..

The Cajuns & Creoles that I've met were simply
awesome hosts of generosity & hospitality.

So, I'm sure that everyone who migrates "up" will do
so with untold treasures of exquisite cuisine!

It'd be worth a few fish & DVD's

--Big

Thanks JB for the plug. I don't think I quite ready to go there. I am on a learning curve my self. Recenlty while playing a song, which I have played a 100 times I got lost on a part of it, so goes muscle memory. I think my right hand might be getting alshiemer in it.

Sounds good Big Nick,two DVD's.One beginning level,one intermediate.Count me in.

Did I miss something? What's the Chanky Chank Key??
Is that a special key for Chinese made accordions??

What dot? You not be knowing 'bout Chank Chank key?
What kin' player you are!?

Seriously though, it's a technique who's name was
coined by Ray Abshire.

It creates a strong rhythmetic groove.

--bn

Sounds interesting. Can you explain? Or do you do that on your DVD II ?
Anyway, chanky chank or not, Mamou 2step is one of my favorite tunes.

Hi Peer,

It's difficult for me to explain a musical technique
with text .. "writing about music is like dancing
about architecture"

But it is basically alot of working with the #7
(and #5) key, using much pull & push.

Yeppers, I'm going to demonstrate it with the B-Part
of Fi Fi Poncho (and/or Chere Bebe).

Merci!

--Big

Thanks Big. Since I believe that rhythm/groove is what it's all about in Cajun music, I'm going to keep a keen eye on the chanky chank business.

PS: i didn't realize that the chanky chank key is actually a button, and not a tonality!

You can hear that key(7) in the song
Mes parents veulent plus me voir the way Ray Abshire is playing the song.

Thanks Ron. It must be on one of the CDs you gave me I guess. gonna check that out.

Très interested in the new DVD, need to verify that everything is Mac compatible.

I assume you're aware that that you're responding to a very old thread and that the DVD package has been available for many years. Can't imagine there is any issue of Mac compatibility (it's not software, it's DVDs), but you can probably ask Big Nick - there's an email link for him here: http://www.bignick.net/BoxLessons/Cajun_Accordion_Vol_2.htm

I would add that the package is very good - best of Big Nick's 3 volumes.

Thanks for the response. Have learned to be cautious, some sound files can be problematic. The real real question is accordion instructions or crawfish