Zydeco vs Cajun Music
It is quite difficult to find the difference between Zydeco and Cajun music for those who are listening to them for the first time as zydeco was considered as a derivative of the Cajun music. They are both considered as roots of American Music. Both revolve around the use of the accordion, a portable wind instrument with keys. Both forms of music have French origins. These two evolved in Louisiana sometime in the 19th century.
What is Zydeco Music?
Zydeco is an evolved form of music with roots that can be traced back to Cajun and Creole music. Its tempo is mostly fast timed and revolves around the use of a piano or button accordion. This type of music was first created and used for dances in social gatherings. In addition to its traditional forms, zydecoalso integrates music genres like soul, R&B, hip-hop and reggae.
What is Cajun Music?
Cajun can be traced back to the Acadians and was first known in the state of Louisiana. Cajun started off as a ballad, and now it is influencing the current pop music. Cajun’s beat is very prominent and distinct from the singers’ voices. The audience would only hear the fiddle and the Cajun accordion which is played only in a single key. Repeating most of its notes again and again gives this music its energy.
What is the difference between Zydeco and Cajun Music?
Cajun is a broader term between the two since zydeco is a derivative of the Cajun music. Cajun was initially a hardcore ballad until it evolved while zydeco was made for dance halls. Zydeco is mainly making use of a button accordion or piano accordion. On the other hand, Cajun makes use of the Cajun accordion. Zydeco influences the hip-hop, R&B, reggae and soul genre, while Cajun influences pop music. While zydeco uses multiple notes of the accordion. Cajun uses only a single note of the accordion. Zydeco and Cajun can be different from each other as presented above, but we can not deny that the evolution of both genres has helped establish the music that we know today.
Summary:
Zydeco vs Cajun Music
• Zydeco mainly uses either a piano accordion or a button accordion while Cajun music uses a Cajun accordion.
• The zydeco music integrated music genres like soul, R&B, hip-hop and reggae while Cajun has influenced the pop music.
• The zydeco music was made for social gatherings and in dance halls, but Cajun was initially ballad.
Photos By: Artisphere (CC BY-ND 2.0), Jon Lebkowsky (CC BY-SA 2.0)