How to Play Zydeco Music

Zydeco music is a popular accordion-based music from Louisiana. It developed after World War II from Creole music, but it has more of a blues and rock-and-roll feel than Creole. Zydeco music has evolved over the decades to take on more influences from reggae, disco, rap and soul. Modern zydeco is a very unique music to learn how to play.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Research zydeco music and the instruments used to play it. Decide which instruments you would like to learn to play. You could learn something common like guitar or bass or something more unique like an accordion or washboard.
2. Locate a music teacher familiar with zydeco to teach you how to play your instrument of choice. Try to find one through a referral so you can be sure they are reputable.
3. Learn French. Most modern zydeco music is still performed in French. You can take a class at a community college.
4. Find a group of friends to form a zydeco band. There are resources online to help you network and find other interested musicians.
5. Download sheet music and lyrics from zydeco websites and start practicing. When your band has a good feel for the style, you can start writing your own music.
6. Have a concert. A lot of coffee shops have open mike nights. Your friends will enjoy the atmosphere, and it will help you to feel like all of your hard work was worth it.