Big Blog 2: One Last Music Culture
Mariachi Music
WHAT:
Mariachi music is a lively and traditional style of music from Mexico. It usually features four or more performers who play traditional folk music instruments and sing together. The standard mariachi group today consists of as many as eight violins, two trumpets, and at least one guitar, including a high-pitched vihuela and an acoustic bass guitar called a guitarrón, with each player taking turns singing lead and backup vocals. Mariachi music was influenced by a blend of European, Indigenous, and African sounds. The Spanish brought string instruments to Mexico, which were originally intended for use during Mass, but they quickly became popular in secular events. Mariachi music is a fusion of Rock, Latin Pop, Cumbia, and Grupero music, and incorporates elements from other genres such as polkas and waltzes. Mariachi musicians also wear charro outfits, adding to their distinctive appearance. The lyrics of most songs are typically about themes such as machismo, love, betrayal, death, politics, revolutionary heroes, and country life.
WHERE:
Mariachi is a genre of regional Mexican music that dates back to at least the 18th century, evolving over time in the countryside of various regions of western Mexico. Before the arrival of the Spanish, indigenous people in Mexico played music using traditional instruments such as rattles, drums, flutes, and conch-shell horns for religious ceremonies. However, when the Spanish arrived, they introduced a range of musical instruments such as violins, guitars, harps, brass instruments, and woodwinds, which largely replaced the native instruments. Initially, the Europeans intended for these instruments to be used during Mass, but they were quickly adapted for secular events as well. Indigenous and mestizo people began to learn how to play and make these new instruments, often modifying them to suit their own preferences. Along with the introduction of these instruments, the Spanish also introduced the concept of musical groups, which typically consisted of two violins, a harp, and various guitars. This grouping gave rise to a variety of folk musical styles in Mexico.
In the 20th century, the perception of mariachi music and its appearance evolved significantly, as it transformed from a regional rural folk music to an urban phenomenon that represented Mexico. The music was first introduced to Mexico City in 1905, around the time when many farm workers migrated to the city, including those from Jalisco, who settled around Plaza Garibaldi. The mariachi musicians in Mexico City developed new practices, such as performing in plazas and restaurants, in addition to the traditional venues like serenades and performances at major family events.
WHO:
Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán is recognized as the oldest mariachi ensemble, founded by Gaspar Vargas in the late 1890s. They moved from Jalisco to Mexico City and performed for the inauguration of President Lázaro Cárdenas. Additionally, Mariachi los Camperos de Nati Cano is a Grammy Award-winning Los Angeles-based mariachi ensemble. Mariachi Mexico de Pepe Villa, Mariachi Internacional Guadalajara, and Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán are all popular Mariachi bands.
FUN FACTS:
From the beginning, mariachi music was dance music.
The most common dance technique in mariachi is zapateado, which is a kind of footwork from Spain: pounding of feet on a raised platform often provides the percussion.
The word mariachi was long considered to be derived from marriage, the French word for marriage, since mariachi music is often played at weddings, but this theory has recently been discredited.
The mariachi sound, known as “son,” is a mixture of Spanish, native and African traditions and differs from region to region.
In Mexico, mariachi music can be found as a part of Catholic Mass.
Media Selection:
The vihuela is a fretted plucked string instrument, shaped like a guitar but tuned like a lute, usually with five or six doubled strings.
A charro or charra outfit or suit (traje de charro, in Spanish) is a style of dress originating in Mexico and based on the clothing of a type of horseman, the charro. The style of clothing is often associated with charreada participants, mariachi music performers, Mexican history, and celebration in festivals.
WORKS CITED:
Infinity Insurance. (n.d.). The history of mariachi. Kemper. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://www.infinityauto.com/knowledge-center/daily-life-and-family/the-history-of-mariachi#:~:text=Like%20many%20other%20music%20genres,became%20popular%20in%20secular%20events.
Leos Imports. (n.d.). Mexican Mariachi Fancy Charro sombrero hat - teen size in many colors. Leos Imports. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://leosimports.com/mexican-mariachi-fancy-charro-sombrero-hat-teen-size-in-many-colors/#:~:text=The%20mariachi%20or%20charro%20hat,symbol%20of%20the%20Mexican%20culture.
Mariachi. Unique facts about Mexico: Mariachi. (n.d.). Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Mexicoweb/factfile/Unique-facts-Mexico17.htm
Sayyad, R. (2020, November 24). 35 fun facts about musical genre mariachi. 35 Fun Facts About Musical Genre Mariachi. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://www.timebulletin.com/35-fun-facts-about-musical-genre-mariachi/
Wikimedia Foundation. (2023, April 19). Charro outfit. Wikipedia. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charro_outfit#:~:text=A%20charro%20or%20charra%20outfit,history%2C%20and%20celebration%20in%20festivals.
Wikimedia Foundation. (2023, April 25). Vihuela. Wikipedia. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vihuela
Wikimedia Foundation. (2023, January 31). Guitarrón Mexicano. Wikipedia. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitarr%C3%B3n_mexicano
Wikimedia Foundation. (2023, March 25). Mariachi. Wikipedia. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariachi
Really interesting to read your blog about Mariachi music! I didn’t really know where it originated from and that it is a genre of regional Mexican music. I also really liked the fun facts that you listed! My favorite was about the most common dance technique called zapateado. Overall very interesting!
ReplyDeleteThis was really cool to read about. I was familiar with the hat being seen at Mexican restaurants for birthdays but I did not know the background of it. I liked how all of their outfits are basically the same with a black base but with different colors. I also found it amazing how they hold up and play the guitarrón because it seems so big and wide, hopefully not too heavy.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting learning that Mariachi music consists of a lot of instrument players & the fact that this music is created by elements of other genres
ReplyDeleteReally cool to learn more about Mariachi music. I have heard Mariachi bands before but I have never really learned about the history behind them so I thought it was cool to see that the instruments were originally intended for Mass and eventually were used for performing in restaurants and plazas!
ReplyDeleteI love the setup of your blog! It is well organized and easy to follow. I did not know that the bands played such a diverse theme range. I had to look up what machismo meant, which took me down a rabbit hole of the internet and was cool to learn about.
ReplyDeleteI've always had an idea of what Mariachi Music was, but now I have a much better idea. I like how big sombreros are and what their traditionally worn for. I also like the design of the Charro Suit because of its design.
ReplyDeleteWell first, I found the way they hold up and play the guitarrón interesting because it just seems big and heavy. Overall, this was a very interesting blog to read and was very easy to follow! I liked learning about Mariachi music.
ReplyDelete