Mariachi Music

• Mexican and Mexican American traditions

• www.mariachi-cobre.com

History and Definitions

• Nineteenth-century development

• Jalisco, Mexico

• Rural expression

• Small ensemble: harp, violin, singer

Typical Instrumentation

String Instruments

• Guitarron - bass guitar - supplies rhythm

• Vihuela - small round belly guitar-like instrument, 5-strings, tuned a-d’-g’-b-e

• Guitar

• Harp (less common in U.S.)

• Nice Website on Instruments

• http://www.ifccsa.org/virtinst.html

History and Definitions, cont.

• Ensemble expanded over time

• Transmitted via radio, film, TV

• Influenced by those frames

• Urbanized, grew in size (“delux groups”)

Performance Contexts (Venues)

• Family celebrations (Quinceañera)

• Community celebrations (mother’s day, Saint’s days, civic events)

• Masses

• Restaurants

• Bars, Cantinas

• Tours

• Stage

• Festivals

Part of American Life

• Family

• Friends

• Newspaper

• Telephone book

• Printed texts

• Videos

Linda Quinceañera

• Meter?

• Form?

• Instruments?

• Texture?

Son

“Los Arrieros” The Muleteers

• Distinctive, energetic rhythm

• Constantly shifting accents (seisquialtera)

• Results in complex rhythms

• Trumpet fanfares

Canción Ranchera
“San Miguel El Alto”

• Simpler rhythms

• polka-like duple meter OR waltz [which is this ??]

• Country song - simple strummed strings

• Verse unfolds in couplets (two-line phrases)

• Often tells a story or offers a tribute

• Instrumental commentary

Cancion Ranchera

“Se Me Hizo Fácil” (It was easy for me)

• Waltz or polka rhythm (triple or duple meter ?)

• Borrows performance techniques from Opera

• Embraces fashions of the middle class salon dance scene

• Romantic feel

Huapango

“El Gustito” (The Little Pleasure)

• Distinctive rhythm

• Prominent violin part

• Complex interactions between instruments

• Dance music

Bolero
“Gema” (The Gem)

• Smooth vocal delivery

• Influenced by Cuban dance music 1940s-1960s

• Syncopated bass

• Slow-quick-quick slow dance rhythm

Test Yourself

• Son?

• Canción Ranchera?

• Waltz?

• Huapango?

Changes

• New Contexts: Festivals; Concert Halls

• Prominence of Youth Mariachi Programs

• Female Mariachis

• New song styles influenced by Caribbean music (cumbia, merengue) and American pop (rap)

On Innovation

• “It’s like this: take the taco, a symbol of Mexico food. On the taco put salsa, salsa de tomate, salsa verde, salsa de chipotle, put the salsa you want; just don’t put ketchup.” ~Nati Cano (17)