The cajun accordeon
A cajun accordeon is a one-row diatonic button accordeon. It is used for playing cajun music: this is an emblematic music of Louisiana and 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.
Accordeons reached Acadiana ( French Louisiana ) in the 1890s and became popular in the early 1900s. Due to World War II many factories that produced accordeons for the American market were destroyed. As a result some Cajuns began producing their own instruments, based on the one-row German accordeons, but with modifications to suit the nuances of the cajun playing style. |
The cajun accordeon became a single-row diatonic accordeon, with multiple reeds for every button. The number of reeds sounding, is controlled by four stops or knobs. Mostly the cajun accordeon is tuned in the C key, but the D key is also relatively common. Some rare accordeons are constructed in the key of B flat.
Click the link to find some more information on the four stops
Click the link for a short introduction to the cajun accordeon
Louisiana constructed accordeons are usualy built in small backyard shops. The shop of Clarence "Junior" Martin of Lafayette Louisiana, who is a craftsman who builds beautiful instruments, is known for its extraordinary designs and tuning.
Though the instrument is called a cajun accordeon, both zydeco and creole musicians do play the cajun accordeon, each with their own sound.
Click the link to find some more information on the four stops
Click the link for a short introduction to the cajun accordeon
Louisiana constructed accordeons are usualy built in small backyard shops. The shop of Clarence "Junior" Martin of Lafayette Louisiana, who is a craftsman who builds beautiful instruments, is known for its extraordinary designs and tuning.
Though the instrument is called a cajun accordeon, both zydeco and creole musicians do play the cajun accordeon, each with their own sound.
Sources: http://www.korbo.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cajun_accordion http://www.meloche.net/acchist.htm