Beginner's Guide - Getting Started in the World of Cajun and Zydeco

Welcome to the world of Cajun and Zydeco music and dances. If you're at this page, then you are new to this game. This page is designed to give you some pointers on getting a foothold to start enjoying this great music and dance from Louisiana. Congratulations to you in starting a wonderful and fun-filled adventure.

-Jeremy Rice (webmaster)

Directory

What is Cajun Music?
What is Zydeco Music?
How can I get aquatinted with the music?
What is Cajun dance? What is zydeco dance?
Where can I get recorded music and videos?
Can you recommend a few of CDs to start a collection?
Are there any free sources of Cajun and zydeco music?
Where can I learn more about Cajun and Creole culture?
For questions about this website, going to Louisiana
Instructional videos, and other questions

What is Cajun Music?

My quick definition is Cajun music is the music of the descendants of French-speaking Catholics from Acadiana in Canada. The music is also referred to as French music because of this heritage, although not all modern Cajun music is sung in French. In fact, Cajun music has taken on many influences such as rock, country, and western swing, so a strict definition as French music does not tell the whole story. Cajun music was originally based on fiddle, and many feel that the fiddle is really at the heart and soul of the music. However, the accordion (of German heritage) plays a more prominent role in most modern Cajun music (hence, the popular notion that Cajun is equivalent to accordion music). For more detailed descriptions, I will defer to better experts than I. Here are some good sources:
If you want to know more about Cajun Language, here are some links to get you started:
- Cajun French at LSU
- Cajun French-English Glossary
  By Amanda LaFleur of LSU
- Tonnerre mes chiens!
  A glossary of Louisiana French figures of speech
  Guide to Books on Cajun Language
  Provided by CajunRadio.org
- Cajun Words and Phrases
  Provided by AcadianaNow.com
One final note, while Cajun and zydeco are often associated with New Orleans, the music is pretty distinct from the other New Orleans genres such as jazz, brass band, blues and funk. In fact, until not too long ago, Cajun and Zydeco were not that big in New Orleans. The rural musician used to be considered unkempt and unreliable, and hence were not hired by the New Orleans music venues. Things have changed, and now a good amount of Cajun and zydeco is heard in New Orleans. In fact, my friends from Southwest Louisiana are a little peeved that New Orleans now seems to claim Cajun and zydeco to be their own.
What is Zydeco Music?

Zydeco evolved from the music of Creoles, French speaking people of color in Louisiana. In the 30' and 40's, Creole music was very similar to Cajun music. After WWII, Creole music began to take on different influences including blues and rock and roll. While the fiddle is generally absent, Zydeco is usually played with accordoin, electric guitar and bass, drums, and a sometimes even a saxophone. Perhaps the most distinctive instrument of zydeco (besides the accordion) is a corrugated metal rubboard (called a 'frottior'). The first recognized zydeco songs were in the 1950's by Clifton Chenier and Boozoo Chavis. Modern zydeco has evolved to take on many influences including hard rock, rap, reggae, and hip-hop. See also
- Zydeco from Encyclopedia of Cajun Culture
- Origins of Zydeco and Cajun Music by Tom Dempsey.
- What is Zydeco from Zydeco-A-Go-Go
The common explanation for the term Zydeco is that it comes from the Creole saying "Les haricots sont pas salés" meaning "The beans aren't salty". This phrase means something like times are really hard if you don't even have salt for your beans, much less meat in the pot. This phrase has appeared in many Creole songs and is assumed to have been changed slightly to "Zydeco est pas salé" as sung in many of the original zydeco songs. Here's an alternative theory on the origins of the term zydeco just to point out that there's still a lot of debate to issues of origins of terms asn phrases - Did the Attakapas Indians give us the word zydeco?
How can I get aquatinted with the music?

There are a number sources of recorded music listed below. There are also a tremendous number of online music sources and local radio shows (maybe in your town) that are tracked at CajunRadio.org. There are also many traveling and regional bands, so you may be able to find live music. In my opinion, live Cajun and zydeco bring out the power and emotion of the music. Given that you are reading this then you are not likely in Southwest Louisiana, the heart of this music. However, Louisiana bands travel all over the United States and elsewhere too. The best way to find out about these events it to look for a schedule or newsletter near your home. Another excellent way to find music is to locate a band, venue , or newsletter near you home. Often, all it take is find a nearby Cajun or zydeco fan to help get you "into the loop" to find out about local events.
What is Cajun dance? What is zydeco dance?

Distinct style have evolved in Louisiana to match the different styles of music. Cajun dances is most often a two-step, waltz, and sometimes jitterbug (although some controversy exists to the authenticity of jitterbug). Zydeco dance is syncopated version of two-step that is done in place, as opposed to traveling around the room as with Cajun two-step or waltz. In Louisiana dance halls or at festivals, some persons dance while others may just listen to the music. Outside of Louisiana, the Cajun and zydeco scene is more closely tied to the social dance community, and Cajun and zydeco music is often played at dance-oriented events. There are exceptions to this. For example, the top drawing Cajun and zydeco acts (i.e. Beausoleil and Buckwheat Zydeco) often play purely listening-type concert venues. However, most of the other bands play smaller dance halls or festivals where dancing is a big part of the Cajun and zydeco scene.
Where can I get recorded music and videos?

There are a number of great sources for recorded music and videos. I recommend buying from Louisiana businesses if possible - here are a few good choices - 1) What Bayou Trading Company (153 W. Landry, Opelousas, LA 70570, Phone: Toll Free 1-888- 942-2575, outside USA 1-337-942-2575) - good selection of videos; 2) Floyd's Record Shop (PO Drawer 10 -434 East Main, Ville Platte, LA 70586, 800-738-8668); or 3) Music Machine 235 W. Walnut, Eunice, La. 70535, 337 - 457-4846) - good sources for popular and hard to find Cajun and zydeco music and discs. For the better-known and even some lessor known artists, BN.com and Amazon.com stock good selections of disks. If you want some record reviews, here are my picks for some good disks to start your collections are below. I can also point you to some other source for record reviews. If you want other type of merchandise, please see my mailorder page.

Can you recommend a few of CDs to start a collection?

There are a number of great compilations of various Cajun and zydeco artists from Rounder Records . These are released under the name "Easy Disks" and are uniformly high quality recordings and fairly cheap at under $10. I would suggest getting a some these to find out what music and artists you like best. If you want regular one artist or groups recording, here are some of my favorites:

Top Cajun Picks Label

Dewey Balfa and Friends / Dewey Balfa and others

Friday at Last / Steve Riley and Mamou Playboys

Fig

Here are a couple of other disk that I can recommend:

Music Kingdom of Zydeco
Allons en Louisiane
Nice combination - music CD with a good mix of Cajun and Zydeco plus a Quicktime Video CD ROM tours of music venues of Southwest Louisiana, restaurants, dance and cooking lessons, and more.
Zydeco Top 40 from CajunRadio.org - all solid choices
Cajun Top 40 from CajunRadio.org - all solid choices
Al Berard and Karen England - Feet of the Ground

Are there any free sources of Cajun and zydeco music?

If you want to hear some music for free before go buying music, I have a whole page of good online music sources. You will need to have a media player on your machine (like RealPlayer or MediaPlayer), but most websites and browsers will help you download the free software that you need. Or better yet, see the Beginner's Guide from CajunRadio.org.
Where can I learn more about Cajun and Creole culture?

I have a whole page of links to sites about Cajun and Creole culture. There are also some excellent books - please see the What Bayou Trading Company website or SFBay Resources Book & Music Reviews. A good source of instructional books and videos is What Bayou Trading Company (153 W. Landry, Opelousas, LA 70570, Phone: Toll Free 1-888- 942-2575, outside USA 1-337 -942-257).
For questions about this website, going to Louisiana, instructional videos, and other questions.

For other information, see the Frequently Asked Questions page. Most of these questions are geared to more experienced readers, but you may find the information interesting also.

Last update: 8/2/2003

Return to Cajun/Zydeco Music & Dance page.

Top Cajun Picks	Label
Dewey Balfa and Friends / Dewey Balfa and others
Friday at Last / Steve Riley and Mamou Playboys
Fig