G'day again Sue,

I've just glanced down the answers and it occurs to me that I need to expand on what I said earlier.

The real Cajun box is a very limited device - it only has one diatonic scale (let's say key of 'C') and can only play this key and its related scales (strictly, modes) A minor, D minor (dorian) and G (myxolydian?). On top of that, it only has two sets of basses and bass chords - C and G.

That said ... the Cajun music turns these limitations into real strengths. Good players learn all sorts of tricks and work-rounds and let the rugged strengths of the system drive a really dynamic music with a strong regional accent. I don't play this style myself, but I enjoy it greatly and I see how many parallels there are to my own core interest of playing Australian traditional styles, which come out of a 19th century tradiitional driven by the push-pull instruments: Melodeon and Anglo concertina.

If you just want to enjoy Cajun tunes as part of a wider interest in all types of music, you will be attracted to a versatile instrument like piano accordion and probably be quite happy with the result. If you want to really get to the heart and soul of Cajun music, you will want to use the single (and simple) instrument that has, paradoxically, added very complex layers to a traditional that was originally rooted in the fiddle styles of Arcadia; French Canada.

It is a far more complex choice than it appears on the surface.

Regards,

Bob Bolton