The different Rhythms and Dances from Zydeco and Forro music
— Interactive blog post with Spotify playlist —
- The similarities between Zydeco and Forro music — Lyrics
- What is Zydeco?
- What is Forro music?
4. My experience at the Zydeco music festival in NYC, 🇺🇸.
— Listen up while you read the article or even more, save it to your Spotify library. Share your thoughts about the playlist in the comments below.
5. My experience dancing Forro in Sao Paulo, 🇧🇷.
6. To wrap things up
1. The similarities between Zydeco and Forro music
Zydeco music from Louisiana and Forro music from Brazil share some similarities, but they also have an accordion. Both styles are rooted in the music of African slaves who were brought to the Americas. Both styles also share a focus on dance and a party-like atmosphere.
They are both known for their lively beats and heavily accented rhythms.
Lyrics
Forro lyrics often deal with themes of love and loss, while Zydeco lyrics are more likely to focus on having a good time. If you’re interested in learning more about these two styles of music, then read on and listen up!
2. What is Zydeco music?
Zydeco music is a style of music that originated in Louisiana in the early 1900s. It is a mix of African and French music, and it is usually played on an accordion.
Zydeco Origin
In the early 1800s, zydeco music was born out of the cross-cultural mix of French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences in Louisiana. The music was originally played on accordions and fiddles by Creole people–descendants of French colonists who lived in Louisiana–in small clubs and dance halls.
Zydeco instruments
— Zydeco music is centered on the accordion, which leads the rest of the band, and a specialized washboard, called a vest frottoir, is a prominent percussive instrument. Other common instruments in Zydeco are the electric guitar, bass, keyboard, and drum set.
- Accordion
- Washboard called a vest frottoir — is a percussive instrument
- Electric guitar
- Bass
- Keyboard
- Drum
— Listen up to some Zydeco Music — I am passionate about — to inspire you:
If you like the beat as I do, I am sure you will start to move/dance.
- The Pine Leaf Boys @ Country Rendez-Vous
- Pine Leaf Boys — Eunice Two Step — must though play violin seated
- Chubby Carrier — Full Set — 2021 Cajun Zydeco Festival — Don’t mess with my toot toot— (I love this beat, seriously)
- Rockin’ Sidney — Don’t Mess With My Toot Toot (Live with an interview)
- Jesse Lege & Bayou Brew — Two-Step D’Amede
Are you ready to see how to actually dance Zydeco?
— Check out Zydeco Dancing Steps — to inspire your journey:
- AJ Gibbs & Linda dancing to Brian Jack @ Gator by the Bay — 2011
- Zydeco dancing to Preston Frank Grassroots 2010
- Zydeco & Whiskey River Jitterbug Dancing in Breaux Bridge, LA
- Erin Brandt and Peter Oliver Dancing at Simi Valley Cajun and Blues Festival 2016
►Watching Zydeco videos on YouTube I realized there are a couple of known people and two of them are great dance conductors such as:
— Here are 2 Zydeco dancers I look forward to dancing with someday
1 — AJ Gibbs dancing style — are my favorite Zydeco dancers from Youtube videos.
2 — I had lucky to meet and dance with the long hair dancer — you can see his dancing style here — I met him at Strawberry Park — Cajun and Zydeco Music and Dance Festival in upstate NY.
3. What is Forro music?
Forró is a popular Brazilian celebration, of Northeast origin and is the dance practiced at these parties, also known as arrasta-pé, bate-chinela, fobó, or forrobodó.
We can use the Forro term for a whole family of related rhythms: Baião, Forró, Xaxado, Xote, and Arrasta pé. Arrasta pé (‘Drag your foot’) received its name due to the peculiar dancing movement: the soles of the feet drag over the floor with each dance step.
— Check out Forro or For All Dancing Steps — to inspire your journey:
- Forro repertoire of partner movements for beginners — Forro New York
- Forro dance demonstration (Rafael Piccolotto & Camila Alves) | Musicality workshop: phrasing & form — Forro New York
- Vinícius & Céline — Forró Dance Performance at the Forró Aachen
- Grupo de dança Forró Espaço — Forrómob 10
Forro Music Origin
Forró first appeared in 1930 in northeastern Brazil and became popular in the mid-1950s. This musical style emerged through the creativity of the poet, composer, and singer Luiz Gonzaga, who was born in 1912 and died in 1989. The artist presented forró using three instruments: accordion, zabumba, and triangle.
Forró or For All — Meaning
The term Forró probably has its origin in an expression from the north of Portugal, the Forbodó. At the end of the 19th century, Forbodó was the word for festivities and dance parties of the simple people.
According to the legend, Forró is derived from the English “for all”. It is said that during the construction works for the railway tracks in Pernambuco, the English used to invite workers and community members to an after-work dance, the Forró.
An authentic Forró is played with a Zabumba, a Triangle, and an Accordion.
Forro Music Instruments
Originally the large metal triangle, zabumba (Afro-Brazilian drum), and guitar (called the viola) were the main instruments. Later on, with the French immigration between 1850 and 1950, the accordion was added to typical forró bands.
- Accordion
- Zabumba
- Triangle
Forro is a mix of African, Portuguese, and Indigenous Brazilian music, and it is usually played on a triangle or accordion.
— Forró is lively, accentuated Baião. Both rhythms formed the guideline for the emergence of the Lambada, which also took over the typical dance style.
Rhythm
Xote is a slower rhythm with a very special swing, inspired by Polka and Mazurka. Forró is not only this rhythm family but also the dance style as well as the festivity at which its music is played and danced.
— Listen up to some Forro Music — I am passionate about — to inspire you.
If you like the beat as I do, I am sure you will start to move/dance. Let´s go to the Forró!
- Trio Virgulino e Elba Ramalho — Xote da Saudade
- Falamansa Band — Xote dos Milagres
- Forróçacana — Forró do xenhenhém (feat. Alcione)
- Luiz Gonzaga — Asa Branca (classic song) He’s known as a ‘Baiao King’
- Gilberto Gil — Asa Branca
- Dominguinhos — Eu Só Quero Um Xodó
4. My experience at the Zydeco music festival in NYC
Welcome to my Zydeco Music Festival Xperience in NYC and Upstate NY.
I was never the same after I experienced Zydeco music for the first time listening to Terrance Simien at a memorable new orleans street music festival in Sao Paulo created by Bourbon Street Club.
What captivated me were the powerful beats, particularly accentuated with an accordion as well as the frontman’s impressive vocal range.
A few years later, I had to opportunity to attend Connoly’s, an NYC nightclub known for its Zydeco bands.
As a people person I engaged with Zydeco lovers and they invited me to join to weekend-long Clears Waters Festival upstate that soon followed.
To my surprise, one of the Zydeco bands playing that day, Jesse Lege & Bayou Brew in the tent remembered my presence at Connoly’s and introduced me as a Brazilian person Zydeco lover first time at the Festival. Wow! It was the best memory I ever get.
It was at this festival that I truly appreciated The Mavericks band and their infectious energy, surrounded by camp chairs, picnic towels, and food stalls of course. It was one of those priceless experiences that’ll stay in my memory forever.
5. My experience dancing Forro Music in Sao Paulo
In my experience of dancing Forro or “For All” in Sao Paulo, compared with Zydeco dancing in the USA, Forro do Brazil typically attracts a younger audience.
The difference I see between Zydeco and Forro dancing is that Americans are open to learning dance rhythms. I participated in dance classes and to my surprise there were more men than women. Unlike in Brazil, the classes have more women than men.
6. Learning Dancing Memories
During my time attending ballroom dancing classes, I distinctly remember the instructors emphasizing two key points:
- The man takes the lead in dancing.
- A man should possess the flexibility to dance with partners of diverse styles, regardless of their height, weight, or other physical attributes.
However, based on my own perspective and personal experiences, I find that this notion doesn’t always hold true.
For instance, as a taller woman individual, I am 6ft5, slim, elegant, I often face certain discomforts when dancing with men who are shorter. Interestingly, I’m the one initiating the invitation to dance, and I must say, with modesty aside, I possess a good sense of rhythm.
— Have you ever encountered a similar situation?
Dancing serves as a means of social interaction.
I personally select my dance partners based on their dancing skills. Conversely, men tend to choose partners primarily based on aesthetics.
— In essence, pleasing everyone becomes a more challenging endeavor.
7. The differences between Zydeco and Forro music
Zydeco music from Louisiana and Forro music from Brazil share some similarities, but they also have some important differences. Both styles are rooted in the music of African slaves who were brought to the Americas. Both styles also share a focus on dance and a party-like atmosphere.
— ZYDECO music
Zydeco often features other instruments such as fiddles and rubboards.
— FORRO or “For All” music
Forro is typically played with instruments such as guitars, accordion, zabumba, and triangle.
Both Zydeco and Forro have faster-paced and slow versions
Such as the Cajun music style for Zydeco and Xote for Forro.
8. To wrap things up
Both Zydeco and Forro music are popular forms of music in their respective countries, in the USA, and in Brazil.
— They are both known for their lively beats and heavily accented rhythms. If you’re a fan of either type of music, then you’ll definitely enjoy the different sounds of these two genres!
Sources:
- Rhythm and Roots — History of Zydeco
- Forro Music across the Web — Google Search
- Forro Understand Everything about this Musical Rhythm (Portuguese article)
► Have you ever danced to Zydeco or Forro music before?
Let me know in the comment section below.
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Feel free to drop me a message for any feedback, suggestions, or work with me. I’m always available to help with writing projects.
Thanks for reading. 💚
#music #dancing #cajunzydeco #forro #culture #writing #contentwriting #remotewriting
