Louisiana 'Cajun Music'.

Necromancer · 05-07-2010, 02:17 PM

In earlier years, the fiddle was the predominant instrument. Usually two fiddCajun music, an emblematic music of Louisiana, is rooted in the ballads of the French-speaking Acadians of Canada. Cajun music is often mentioned in tandem with the Creole-based, Cajun-influenced zydeco form, both of Acadiana origin. These French Louisiana sounds have influenced American popular music for many decades, especially country music, and have influenced pop culture through mass media, such as television commercials. In earlier years, the fiddle was the predominant instrument. Usually two fiddles were common, one playing the melody while the other provided the séconde, or back-up part. Twin fiddling traditions represent the music in its purest form, as it was brought to Louisiana with the early immigrants and before popular American tunes mingled with it.

Gradually, the Cajun accordion emerged to share the limelight.

In the early 1930s, the accordion was pushed into the background by the popular string sounds of the time. mandolins, pianos and banjos joined fiddles to create a jazzy swing beat strongly influenced by Western Swing of neighboring Texas.

After World War II, the accordion regained its popularity in Cajun music. Also, in the late 1930s and 1940s, country music became the dominant influence on Cajun music, and bass and steel guitars were used.

Modern Cajun music began taking on the influence of jazz and modern country music, resulting in a more polished sound. The acoustic guitar was added, mostly as a rhythm instrument, and the triangle provided a traditional percussion. Modern groups sometimes include drums, electric bass, electric guitars and amplified accordion and fiddles. PS (In my personal opinion, cajun music is one of the most unique (underrated) genres of music today, it has transformed through the years into a style of 'modern rock cajun', as to say. While driving through the southern states of Mississippi & Louisiana, gives one an opportunity to listen to some of the cajun radio stations from the area, and a chance to hear some of the popular, old & new, cajun styles of music. I never did like the accordion at all.... with the traditional spanish style of music, but it seems to be more tolerable when it is used with the cajun genre, for me anyway. In my opinion, cajun music is one of the last genres of music, yet to be discoverd by awaiting fans world wide).

05-07-2010, 02:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Necromancer Divination Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,655	Louisiana 'Cajun Music'. In earlier years, the fiddle was the predominant instrument. Usually two fiddCajun music, an emblematic music of Louisiana, is rooted in the ballads of the French-speaking Acadians of Canada. Cajun music is often mentioned in tandem with the Creole-based, Cajun-influenced zydeco form, both of Acadiana origin. These French Louisiana sounds have influenced American popular music for many decades, especially country music, and have influenced pop culture through mass media, such as television commercials. In earlier years, the fiddle was the predominant instrument. Usually two fiddles were common, one playing the melody while the other provided the séconde, or back-up part. Twin fiddling traditions represent the music in its purest form, as it was brought to Louisiana with the early immigrants and before popular American tunes mingled with it. Gradually, the Cajun accordion emerged to share the limelight. In the early 1930s, the accordion was pushed into the background by the popular string sounds of the time. mandolins, pianos and banjos joined fiddles to create a jazzy swing beat strongly influenced by Western Swing of neighboring Texas. After World War II, the accordion regained its popularity in Cajun music. Also, in the late 1930s and 1940s, country music became the dominant influence on Cajun music, and bass and steel guitars were used. Modern Cajun music began taking on the influence of jazz and modern country music, resulting in a more polished sound. The acoustic guitar was added, mostly as a rhythm instrument, and the triangle provided a traditional percussion. Modern groups sometimes include drums, electric bass, electric guitars and amplified accordion and fiddles. PS (In my personal opinion, cajun music is one of the most unique (underrated) genres of music today, it has transformed through the years into a style of 'modern rock cajun', as to say. While driving through the southern states of Mississippi & Louisiana, gives one an opportunity to listen to some of the cajun radio stations from the area, and a chance to hear some of the popular, old & new, cajun styles of music. I never did like the accordion at all.... with the traditional spanish style of music, but it seems to be more tolerable when it is used with the cajun genre, for me anyway. In my opinion, cajun music is one of the last genres of music, yet to be discoverd by awaiting fans world wide).