Hello all,

For those interested, I plan to start on a
"Learn to Play Cajun Accordion" Volume 2 soon.

Previously, Volume-1 (beginning) and
Volume-3 (intermediate) were released.

It seems that many people are interested
in a Volume-2, and more beginning content.

Right now, I'm soliciting input for Volume 2.

Please let me know what you think would be
(or was) valuable to you as a learner.

Some ideas that I have for Volume 2 include:

- Song demonstrations, phrase by phrase.
- Focus on left hand as well as right.
- On-Screen tablature (was this useful to you?)
- Sheet music w/tablature (is this useful to you?)
- Continuation of "B" Parts from Volume-1.
- Is "theory" helpful to you?
(as what Jamey had posted on the Accordion Forum?)
(Would it be helpful to relate the Cajun accordion
to a piano and show what notes are available and
how chords are made, etc.?)
- Chords/accompaniments while not leading the song.
- Rhythm/accents dance speed of playing
- Is a 2-DVD set worthwhile for the sake of
providing additional information as opposed to 1 DVD
- Would it be good to provide 1-DVD of "lessons"
- and another DVD -or- Audio CD just for play-alongs?
- Or, should play-alongs be another selection on
on of the disks?
- New Songs? (I want to keep them simple.)

Someone had suggested that I start by demonstrating
a song very simply at first simply and then gradually add
embellishments.

I was considering demonstrating the absolute bare bones
version of a song, and then add:
- Octaves
- Pick-up(s)
- Syncopations
- Ornaments

So, there are a few ideas. Let me know what
you think if you would please ..

Merci Beaucoup,

--Big Nick

I think starting bare-bones and then layering on different kinds of embellishments, a level at a time, is very helpful. Of course, I think being able to chord along is essential,and a little practical music theory as it applies to most Cajun music is helpful; I wouldn't get too deep into it, though, because you don't want to confuse people with too much info.

I'm not much for tablature - it's slow and something I think you'll eventually need to wean yourself off of, so why start?

That's my two cents. Thanks Big, you're doing the Lord's work!

OK, Jamey, thanks ..

It's a real balancing act, trying to determine what
to include and what not to.

As you've stated, too much info can just be confusing.

And, one cannot please everyone

You going to Elkins this year?

--bn

I think Jamey's comments are right on target. A simple melody line gives the student a sense of accomplishment in the short term. Embellishments thereafter allows them to expand that basic platform. Because your customers may request them, you may have to put tabs in the written material, but to put them on the screen would be counterproductive and annoying. Of course I'm speaking as a recent convert; one of the best things that came out of Balfa Camp this year was that I lost my tab folder. Now I won't have to be sent to tab rehab!

OK John, good inputs.

Refresh my memory .. did we play Bayou Pon Pon?

thx

--bn

Sure did; well, actually you played the turn for me, and I've been having fun with it ever since. Thanks much. BTW, it might be a good tune for #2. A lot of us learned the basic melody from Larry's book. I don't know about anyone else but I sure trouble with the turn. I talked to Larry about that at Balfa Camp and he said unfortunately the turn on his DVD did not match the tabs in the book. Maybe others might like for you to take us to another level in #2.

If I could have just one thing on the #2 it would be more play-along.

The learning is slow and frustrating, but to finally get a song down and then play it along with a guitar or fiddle track lets ya have some fun.

John Alexander

Hi Big Nick,

thats a good idea, all the things you plan are useful.

for me are On-Screen TAB'S and sheet music w/tabulature useful.

Merci,

Peter

I find tabs useful to a point. They get the bones of the song laid down and embelishments and doubling follow. Once I have learned a song the tabs are unnecessary but it can be a useful tool to refresh an old brain concerning how a song goes.

one thing that occurs to me:

many songs are built of common 'parts'

little runs that are easy or sound good, tend to get plugged into other places

i would say this explicitly, in
maybe a section that gives away some of these tricks

or concentrate on songs that use a lot of them, and point them out as they occur


i would *not* have a lot of songs that are hard to play, that don;t also illustrate a lot of useful 'pieces' that are used in other songs

[ie some songs are unique and though they may be pretty, and good songs, you still don;t learn anything you can use in another song. these would be songs to learn after you know all the common stuff. first goal should be to equip the student with the ability to learn other songs quickly]

so when someone gets through, they have a lot of other 'song parts' to use in learning the songs that use those pieces, too

wle

wle .. good point :-)

The following is coming from a beginner and I don't don't consider myself a musician. I am happy to play the song simply and the same way every time (except for mistakes and/or a few variations) and the people I play for are dancing don't care as long as I keep the beat. So.....

Demonstrations, phrase by phrase - definitely (like vol 3)
Left hand - at least a demo showing both hands
On screen tab - helped sometimes
Tab like vol 3 - definitely. Helps me learn the techniques as well as the tune. I like the tabs for the same reason that people on this form ask for help on lyrics. It tells me exactly what how you played it, helps me learn it and helps me remember it. But eventually I incorporate my mistakes (or simplifications) and it becomes my own version.
B parts to vol 1 - definitely
Theory - interesting, but doesn't help me.
Chords/accompaniaments - sure
Rhythm/accents - yes
2 DVD set - sure, charge a few more bucks - it's worth it
The play along is not so important to me, but my wife plays guitar and keeps me on the rhythm
Songs - easy version of Amede two step

Big Nick - thanks doing this. You have helped me a lot with volumes 1 and 3 already.