One of the most difficult things most beginners deal with is "I can play it but it don't sound Cajun". Some of these elements are just beginning come to me. Funny how stumbling through a lick on one song opens up many doors to other songs.

Many Cajun songs are very simple, but hard to make sound good. A great example is Chris Miller's One Step A Bashoot Leblanc. I love that song because it has that rhythmic sound I love so much, but has eluded me for quite a while. Working out a couple other songs, mainly Cory McCauley's Evangeline Aces Special, finally put me within reach of that pumping rhythm that let's me get close to this song.

I think the reason I thought I was close on that song was it sounded like I had the notes, but was maybe just in the right chords, but didn't have that little pumping rhythm that makes this song (and so many others) sound good. But, and thanks to Jamey, I know realize that knowing the chords, and the licks that fit those chords, sure makes picking up a song easier.

For those who haven't heard the song, or not seen Chris' youtube video of it, here it is. Bien faite, Chris!

That is also called the Duson One Step by Louis Cormier.
Le Piquant

That's one I don't have. Only Louis Cormier song I have is Blues De Soulard, and that's a good one.

You and everybody else needs to get the cd from Floyds titled Cajun hits from the 50's and 60's. It is one of my favorite cd's.
Le Piquant

Yep Jerry, it's very close to the Duson. The Duson holds on the big pull in the second section of the tune. Paul Daigle has it also on a CD that he did with his sons. Paul Daigle & Sons, I think it's called. I learned it from Paul. It's a pretty simple song (altho' Chris and Paul doll it up so it's really cool). And that rhythm that you guys talk about is certainly there - and difficult to master.

I drove all the way from Thibodaux to Point Noir to video Paul playing this song. It is my favorite one step.
Le Piquant

Gene I went back and played the song and remembered the long pull. I thought something was different but I attributed it to playing style. Cool song.
Le Piquant

Duson One Step is also pretty close to M&S Special by Pee Wee Broussard and Pitre Special by Austin Pitre (which is on his Swallow Essential Early Cajun Recordings cd).

ACE Records has Floyd's Early Cajun Singles:
http://www.acerecords.co.uk/content.php?page_id=59&release=699

I think you have to go to Amazon UK. Must be too good for the U.S.

That is the cd I recommended to the board. I bought it from Floyd's
Le Piquant

Chris is amazing, isn't he? He makes it looks so easy. Beautiful.

One technique that really adds rhythm expression
(for Cajun music or other) is to "punch" the bellows
on the "2" and "4" of the rhythm.

It's the same "place" that the snare drums hits.

Or, if you think triangle, tick-a-TICK-a tick-a-TICK-a
or if you think: 'one and TWO and three and FOUR and'

It can really add dimension and expression.

I think the first song that I used that technique in
was the "B-Part" of Choupique. I started developing
the technique by playing the B-Part very slowly, and
locating the notes where the "punches" should go.

--Biggy

Case in point:

Take another listen to Chris' performance posted above.

You can hear him placing those accents right from
the top of his arrangement.

I wouldn't doubt that it is so much of his technique
by now that he is unaware of doing it

--bn

Well spoken, Nick!
100% OT !!
On Topic I mean!!
I even think that the final secret of Cajun music is found in the rhythm, more than anything else, like octaves or ornaments.
And I think this is the reason that Cajun sounds best on a CA: only a 10 buttons, but a lot of rhythm, accentuated by the bellows movement.
When learning a tune one tends to concentrate on the melody, but the left hand is the motor that keeps the groove going.

Yeah, that 'bounce' that Chris Miller gets going. The youtube that changed the way I play is his Lake Charles Two-step. Not practiced at embedding yet sorry.. be sure and search and listen to the youtube if you haven't already..You can almost lay out in a few places on the melody line and then jump back about anywhere if you get the bouncing bass going and keep it up like he does. (this post from a consummate lurker who popped outta the bushes for a quip or two..)

Thanks Big,Bryan,I thought you had that pumping rhythm at festival Acadian.Me and Jamey were talking about it.It seems that if you play long enough, it starts to come to you,maybe after a couple years.Big Nicks explanation helped me to understand better what I need to look for

It's that little pumping rhythm that really gets folks feet moving. More effective in some songs than others, and I guess, in some it maybe shouldn't be used. Once you get the hang of it's one of those make you smile moments.

You're right Flatorsharp, LC Two Step is another one, you can see Chris' whole body involved.

Thanks for posting that Bashoot Leblanc video, Bryan.
I'm crazy about that old sound. I almost hear a bit of an echo from Africa. Lovely groovy stuff.