CAJUN MUSIC

What Is Cajun Music?

When the Cajuns arrived in Louisiana, they brought with them a type of music bearing their name. Zydeco is related to Cajun music but is a bluesier form. There are two basic tunes used in Cajun music, the two-step and the waltz. The main instruments used in Cajun music are the fiddle and accordion. Instruments used in other types of music, such as guitars and drums, are also used in Cajun music. Cajun music is also important to Louisiana's economy. Some people make it their career.

A fiddle is a member of the violin family. It has four strings, a hollow body and is played with a bow.	An accordion has metal reeds that the player pushes and pulls on to make music. The other part is played like a keyboard.
A frottoir is a type of washboard held over the player’s shoulders. It is played by being strummed with spoons.	Cajun spoons are two spoons held together. The player shakes them to create music.

Information is taken from http://www.btinternet.com/~john.tomo/GrandMamou/music.htm and http://www.hearts-ease.org/cgi-bin/termsn.cgi?data=conservatory&letter=a. Pictures are from: www.encoremusic.com/gift/4900010.htm, http://www.louisianavoices.org/Unit4/edu_unit4_frottoir.html, www.syn-cordion.com/preowned.htm and http://users.erols.com/zookmd/page2.htm.