What Is Zydeco?

Have you ever spent time in the bayou? Did you hear the beautiful music as you moved through the marsh? If so, there’s a good chance you came across Zydeco! What exactly is zydeco music? Let’s travel to Louisiana to find out!

Zydeco music showcases a variety of instruments. These include accordions, fiddles, and triangles. Zydeco bands also incorporate washboards—or rub-boards called frottoirs—to create music. When you combine all these elements, you get the lively and vibrant sound of zydeco!

The Creole people often sang in their own language—Creole French. Their “la la” party music gradually transformed into zydeco by the 1860s. It blended Cajun music with two new American genres: blues and rhythm and blues. When Haitian immigrants arrived in Louisiana, they added their own unique rhythms to the evolving zydeco style. This new sound was further influenced by American Indians, as well as French and Spanish immigrants.

The term “zydeco” originated from the French phrase: Les haricots ne sont pas sales wrong. This translates to “the snap beans aren’t salty.” People used this colloquial phrase to convey the meaning “I don’t have any spicy news for you.” The words les haricots, meaning “the snap beans,” sounded like “zydeco” in the local dialect. And the rest, as they say, is history!

One well-known zydeco musician was Clifton Chenier. Some refer to him as the “King of Zydeco.” As a singer and accordion player, he played a vital role in spreading zydeco throughout the United States. His bluesy style gained popularity on local radio stations. Soon, people all over the U.S. were enjoying this unique genre of music.

Today, zydeco music remains popular. It continues to evolve by incorporating elements of other genres, such as pop, soul, and reggae. Zydeco is often played at parties because it is enjoyable to dance to. The next time you’re with friends, consider playing some zydeco music!

Try It Out

Find an adult who can assist you with the activities below!

• Ready to groove to some Zydeco music? There’s no better way to get acquainted with Zydeco than by listening to it. Check out Hey, Good Lookin’ by Buckwheat Zydeco or Who Stole My Monkey? by Boozoo Chavis. What are your thoughts on Zydeco? Discuss with a friend or family member.
• Read more about the King of Zydeco. What did you discover about Clifton Chenier? How did he influence Zydeco? What other interesting facts did you come across about this musician? Write a paragraph summarizing your findings. Then, share it with a friend or family member.
• Zydeco music incorporates many traditional instruments, but it also utilizes everyday objects to create music, like washboards. Take a look around your home. What objects can you use to make music that aren’t traditional instruments? With the help of a friend or family member, create a rhythm or play a melody using a regular item. You never know what kind of new sound you might create!

Wonder Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zydeco (accessed 27 Jan. 2020)
• http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/multimedia/AudioStories/gulf-coast-highway/zydeco.aspx (accessed 27 Jan. 2020)

FAQ

1. What is Zydeco?

Zydeco is a music genre that originated in southwest Louisiana, particularly among the Creole and African American communities. It combines elements of African, Caribbean, and European music styles, such as blues, jazz, and Cajun music. Zydeco is known for its lively and infectious rhythms, often featuring the accordion as the lead instrument along with the washboard and guitar. The lyrics are usually sung in French or Creole, and the songs often tell stories of love, everyday life, and social issues.

2. How did Zydeco originate?

Zydeco originated in the early 20th century as a fusion of various music styles brought to Louisiana by African Americans and Creole communities. It evolved from the traditional Creole music and the rhythmic traditions of the African slaves. The name “zydeco” is believed to come from the French phrase “les haricots,” meaning “the beans,” which refers to the popular dish served at Creole gatherings where the music was played. Over the years, zydeco has evolved and incorporated influences from different genres, becoming a vibrant and unique form of music.

3. What instruments are commonly used in Zydeco?

The accordion is the most prominent instrument in zydeco music. It provides the melodic and rhythmic foundation of the music. Other common instruments include the washboard, which is played with spoons or thimbles to create a percussive sound, and the guitar, which adds harmony and fills to the music. Other instruments like the fiddle, drums, and bass guitar may also be used in some zydeco bands, depending on the style and arrangement of the music. The combination of these instruments creates the energetic and distinctive sound of zydeco.

4. Where can I experience Zydeco music?

Zydeco music can be experienced at various events and venues in Louisiana and other parts of the United States. Festivals such as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival showcase zydeco music along with other genres. There are also dedicated zydeco clubs and dance halls where you can listen to live performances and dance to the infectious rhythms. Additionally, many zydeco artists tour nationally and internationally, bringing the joyous sounds of zydeco to audiences around the world. It’s an experience that shouldn’t be missed for any music lover!