What is an Accordion?

Accordions (from 19th-century German Akkordeon, from Akkord—”musical chord, concord of sounds”) are a family of box-shaped musical instruments of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone type, colloquially referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist. The accordion is played by compressing or expanding the bellows while pressing buttons or keys, causing pallets to open, which allow air to flow across strips of brass or steel, called reeds. These vibrate to produce sound inside the body. Valves on opposing reeds of each note are used to make the instrument’s reeds sound louder without air leaking from each reed block. The performer normally plays the melody on buttons or keys on the right-hand manual, and the accompaniment, consisting of bass and pre-set chord buttons, on the left-hand manual.

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What is Zydeco Music?

Zydeco (/ˈzaɪdɪˌkoʊ/ ZY-dih-koh or /ˈzaɪdiˌkoʊ/ ZY-dee-koh, French: Zarico) is a music genre that evolved in southwest Louisiana by French Creole speakers which blends blues, rhythm and blues, and music indigenous to the Louisiana Creoles and the Native people of Louisiana. Though distinct in origin from the Cajun music of Louisiana, the two forms influenced each other, forming a complex of genres native to Louisiana. Musical style – Usually fast tempo and dominated by the button or piano accordion and a form of a washboard known as a “rub-board,” “scrub-board,” “wash-board,” or frottoir, zydeco music was originally created at house dances, where families and friends gathered for socializing. As a result, the music integrated waltz, shuffles, two-steps, blues, rock and roll, and other dance music forms of the era. Today, zydeco integrates genres such as R&B, soul, brass band, reggae, hip hop, ska, rock, Afro-Caribbean and other styles, in addition to the traditional forms.

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Louisiana’s own – Martin Accordions

For over 30 years Martin Accordions has built all hand-made, single row, diatonic accordions for musicians around the world. Professionals and beginners alike rely on our squeezeboxes night after night to provide the sweet, rich sound that Cajun and Zydeco is known for. Martin is a full service shop, offering everything from completely custom built boxes to repairs and tuning on all makes and types of accordions including: piano, diatonic, polka, concertina, and just about anything else with bellows. We also have shop tours and demonstrations available, which are very popular with anyone interested in cajun culture.

Martin Accordions Website: CLICK HERE

Video about Martin Accordions	Martin Family Demo

Will You Dance with Me – Joel Martin

Joel Martin’s YouTube Channel: CLICK HERE