Original music by Glenn Booth In Acadiana, music is as much a part of daily life as good food, and saying "Laissez les bons temps rouler!" The Cajuns developed their own form of music, Cajun music, which is similar to country music in many ways, but is usually sung in French. Cajun music is a blend of German, Spanish, Scottish, Irish, Anglo-American, Afro-Carribean, and American Indian influences with a base of western French and French Acadian folk tradition. Traditional Cajun music uses the fiddle, accordion and triangle to create a unique style of music. It differs greatly from the traditional music of its sister French-American cultures in Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, New England, and even Missouri because none of these places had the unique blend of ingredients found in south Louisiana. Zydeco music also came from this unique background. Cajun music was born in exile of ancient traditions which found themselves displaced in a New World where old ways did not stand in the way of new influences. Both traditions were built by musicians with little or no formal training who improvised the music of their generation out of the ones that came before them. The primary instruments used in playing Cajun music are the fiddle (violin) and accordion. Other instruments often include piano, drums, bass, guitar, and triangle (or'ti fer). A washboard (borrowed from Zydeco music) is sometimes used in Cajun bands. Would you like to know the French name for instruments used in Cajun music? Some local music festivals include the Festival International de Louisiane, and the Festival Acadiens. Some well-known Cajun musicians include the group Beausoleil, Dewey Balfa, Zachary Richard, and D.L. Menard. If you are ever near Eunice, Louisiana, you can see a Cajun jamboree and learn more about Cajun music from a famous cajun accordion maker, Mark Savoy. Visit him at Savoy's Music Center in Eunice, and try out one of his handmade accordions. And, the Liberty Theater in Eunice hosts a live Cajun radio show every Saturday night. Also visit Fred's Bar and Lounge in Mamou, Louisiana, where they host a live Cajun radio music show from 7:30 am to 2 pm every Saturday morning. The Cajun French Music Association holds Cajun dance lessons and helps promote Cajun activities across the state. There are many Cajun radio stations that broadcast music and talk in Cajun French. Read over the next few pages to learn more about Cajun music. This program, and all related text, sound, music, video, animation and graphic elements are copyright © 1994 - 2003, Espace Francophone. All rights reserved. No reproduction without express written consent.Based on an original project designed by, and copyrighted by, Gary Dauphin email: digitalmus@aol.com
In Acadiana, music is as much a part of daily life as good food, and saying "Laissez les bons temps rouler!" The Cajuns developed their own form of music, Cajun music, which is similar to country music in many ways, but is usually sung in French.
Cajun music is a blend of German, Spanish, Scottish, Irish, Anglo-American, Afro-Carribean, and American Indian influences with a base of western French and French Acadian folk tradition. Traditional Cajun music uses the fiddle, accordion and triangle to create a unique style of music. It differs greatly from the traditional music of its sister French-American cultures in Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, New England, and even Missouri because none of these places had the unique blend of ingredients found in south Louisiana. Zydeco music also came from this unique background.
Cajun music was born in exile of ancient traditions which found themselves displaced in a New World where old ways did not stand in the way of new influences. Both traditions were built by musicians with little or no formal training who improvised the music of their generation out of the ones that came before them.
The primary instruments used in playing Cajun music are the fiddle (violin) and accordion. Other instruments often include piano, drums, bass, guitar, and triangle (or'ti fer). A washboard (borrowed from Zydeco music) is sometimes used in Cajun bands. Would you like to know the French name for instruments used in Cajun music?
Some local music festivals include the Festival International de Louisiane, and the Festival Acadiens.
Some well-known Cajun musicians include the group Beausoleil, Dewey Balfa, Zachary Richard, and D.L. Menard.
If you are ever near Eunice, Louisiana, you can see a Cajun jamboree and learn more about Cajun music from a famous cajun accordion maker, Mark Savoy. Visit him at Savoy's Music Center in Eunice, and try out one of his handmade accordions. And, the Liberty Theater in Eunice hosts a live Cajun radio show every Saturday night.
Also visit Fred's Bar and Lounge in Mamou, Louisiana, where they host a live Cajun radio music show from 7:30 am to 2 pm every Saturday morning.
The Cajun French Music Association holds Cajun dance lessons and helps promote Cajun activities across the state. There are many Cajun radio stations that broadcast music and talk in Cajun French.
Read over the next few pages to learn more about Cajun music.
