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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
cajun music jam
cajun music jam
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LumberjackShark
80 posts
Dec 17, 2018
7:09 AM
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I attended and played at a Cajun Music Jam this past Saturday.....
I live, and am from, Southeast Texas just over the Louisiana line. The Cajun/French culture is strong here, spilling over from Louisiana. This part of Texas is full of names like Peltier, Quibedeaux, Theriot.... my Mother was a Toups. So I've listened and danced to Cajun music my entire life and really enjoy it. But, I've never played it on the harp.
I've been playing for several years now, and although not an expert, I feel confident playing with anyone. As I've stated before on this forum, I'm not as much a Blues guy, as I am a Honky-Tonk Country/Southern Rock guy....
This was the first time this place did a jam. They understandably covered there bets and had a group of three or four players there who play together a lot to insure music. And, aside from me, no one else sat in with them.
I will tell you it was a humbling experience for me. I struggled more Saturday than I have in quite awhile. Much of the songs were one and four chord songs, sometime one and five. Often they started on the four, and they would hang around the four more than I was used to. The problem would be me starting on the one chord, then realizing into it, then stumbling to recover. Also, although I'm very familiar with the rhythm, I found myself loosing the rhythm when I would solo, going back to what I usually do in other songs. I finally redeemed myself on the last number.
All the players were generous and one of the fiddle players was very kind, nudging and mouthing to me when I missed the chord.... I think it was a great experience, but I'm not sure these guys would believe I've been playing as long as I have :-)
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dougharps
1870 posts
Dec 17, 2018
7:43 AM
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I have fooled around sitting in with some bands and been OK, but not playing at the level I can in other music. I did not grow up with this music, but have heard local and regional groups play it for years. It is fun music, and the dancers love it.
Jerry Devillier has taught Cajun harp at SPAH, and I attended one workshop, but while I can do some splits and octaves, my tongue block technique is just not solid enough to play the style convincingly. Jerry grew up imitating a single row accordion, and he does it very well indeed. After one of my better efforts trying to copy his style he commented, "Well, you COULD play it that way..."
Joe Filisko first brought Jerry to SPAH years ago and I always enjoy his playing. Joe Filisko provides some info on the style on this page:
Jerry's Cajun Blues Download - Filisko
The page suggests buying a download, but also offers info and a sample song for free. I don't have the download as I seldom would play this music. When there is a single row accordion playing it is hard to compete with harp.
I have no financial affiliation with Joe Filisko, and just know him from SPAH and workshops.
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Doug S.
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jbone
2781 posts
Dec 17, 2018
9:02 AM
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We're about to head for Lafayette, for the weather, the food, and the music. We don't do anything like that stuff but we're going to dig being around it and soaking it in. I'm like you Shark, a challenge can teach me a lot.
I may never get the whole Cajun music thing on harp but the culture is too attractive to pass up.
We head out tomorrow from Little Rock to make the drive down with our travel trailer and see what we can get into for a month or more.
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Music and travel destroy prejudice.
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LumberjackShark
81 posts
Dec 17, 2018
9:22 AM
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dougharps, thanks for the info. I'll be looking into it.
jbone, glad you're heading that way. It is such a great, fun area and culture. One Saturday, head to Fred's Lounge in Mamou (just north of Lafayette). It is only open 8a-1p!! If you head to the Lake Charles area, or into Texas, give me a holler 409-651-9298
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jbone
2783 posts
Dec 17, 2018
8:17 PM
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Thanks. Once we get settled we'll plan some exploration.
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Music and travel destroy prejudice.
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