Dear Friends:
This is a beginner accordion class, kind of a “Hunt and
Peck” accordion class and historically we begin the class by understanding the
why it makes sound and how to make sound with it. By the end of the week the
class will be able to play two tunes, a waltz and a two step as a group all the
way through. Sounds like a good objective for you?
A little about me: I have been playing Cajun accordion for
over 30 years. I prefer the older styles of accordion playing and some of my
favorite players that you may recognize are Cyprien Landreneau, Nathan Abshire,
Marc Savoy, Alphose (Bois Sec) Ardoin, Ray Abshire, Eddie LeJeune, and Austin
Pitre. But to tell the truth, I really like listening to any accordion player
who can carry a tune, and am proud to say I have had the privilege to hear all
those named above play in person as well as many many more, including the other
players teaching at Augusta this summer.
I started listening to traditional style Cajun music in my
home in Mamou, Louisiana, when my mother would wake us children every morning to
the “News in French” accompanied by Cajun music selections on the local radio
program. I still listen to the early morning broadcasts in French to this day.
My first musical instrument was the triangle, called a "tit
fer” which translates too little iron. My grandfather gave it to me, and I used
to keep time to his accordion playing when I was around 10 years old. I believe
that the first important thing about learning to play the accordion is to
KNOW THE SOUND OF THE MUSIC YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO
LEARN. You should be able to hum or sing your tune, and then you can
imitate the sound with your instrument. I also highly recommend that you
attend Tracy Schwarz’s Cajun Rhythm class during the week, which starts
each day before your scheduled class with me. The beat and rhythm in Cajun
music is everything.
During the class I will be teaching the ten button Cajun
accordion in the key of C. I will make myself available for one-on-one as much
as possible during the day and evening, depending on the schedule of events I am
responsible for. If you have any other kind of accordion i.e. piano key, double
or triple row, concertina, etc…technically you are on your own. If you can play
these other types of accordions in the key of C, you could get some music
knowledge from the classes, and of course the Mamou stories I have, but I can't
help you technically.
If you can't read music, you are perfect for this course.
My objective is to teach you how to understand and tame your accordion, once you
understand your accordion you can begin training it to have the confidence to
play any tune you wish. There will be a great deal of time dedicated to working
the instrument, teaching it not to work you, and Cajun rhythm. However, I want
you to have fun with it as well, because if it is not fun, why are we doing it?
These tunes are typical of the ones I have taught in past
workshops.
2-Step:
Waltz:
I know many other tunes so if there is something the
group comes up with or you want to work on in the one-on-one session, don't
hesitate to ask. We might actually work on what ever tune is in my head when I
drive into Elkins. You are welcome to bring an audio tape recorder, but not a
video camera; we are going to work the “learn by ear” method.
Listen, Listen Listen! The one piece of advice that I can
offer before class is listen to the music. You can't play Cajun music if you
have never heard it! Remember what I said about humming or singing the tune? Buy
the music, you can find it online at several locations. A simple search under
"Cajun Music" will give you a world of options, but to narrow your search start
with these music shops:
These sites may also offer one
of the several how-to-play-accordion videotapes. I have seen two that look very
good, one is by Marc Savoy and Tracy Schwarz and the other by Dirk Powell, I’m
sure both will be available in the Augusta store, if you cannot find it in
advance of the class.
Looking forward to meeting you.
Bon Chance!
John Vidrine
205 Oakwood Drive
Lafayette, LA 70503
jsvidrine@moncla.com