Mariachi Music

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Mariachi music is one of the most extroverted, expressive, exciting forms of Latin American Music (Sheehy 2). Its sound is often melancholic and the lyrics are often about lost love. The Mariachi Music goes as far back as 1519. Hernan Cortes who invaded the Aztec’s Tenochtitlan (Mexico City) had six musicians among his army. Even the Aztec, when they heard the music, held those players in high regard (Sheehy 14).

[edit] History

Then the first modern reference to Mariachi dates May 1852 in a letter wrote by a priest of the town Rosamorada, complaining about the unrestrained music that was heard outside his church (Lornell and Rasmussen 137). Despite those early references, the origin of the word Mariachi is unknown today. It has been assimilated in the past to the French word “Marriage”, but it was later found as erroneous information (Gonzales). However, we know that it first originated in the State of Jalisco.

Mariachi music represents Mexico’s music folk by excellence. The group is composed with seven to eleven musicians, sometimes there are over thirteen musicians (Lornell and Rasmussen 143). The first instruments used were a harp, a guitarra de golpe (typical Mexican guitar) and one or two violins. Later the guitarron replaced the harp, because it was easier to transport and play in the streets. In the 1940s, the trumpet was introduced (Simonett 136). Today’s instruments used are guitarron, vihuela, guitar, two trumpets, three or more violins and occasionally a harp (Lornell and Rasmussen 143).

[edit] Mariachi Costume

The musicians’ background was from working-class, so the first Mariachis dressed as peasants with large straw sombreros with chin strap and hat band; red poncho or black wool blanket over the shoulder; long baggy, straight-cut muslin pants; cotton shirt of the same material; red sash around the waist; and simple huarache sandals. The black wool blanket and the red sash are the only added item (Simonett 137).

[edit] Venue

The Mariachi music became the symbol of the Mexican Revolution (1910-1917) because it represented the Mexican’s national spirit or the Spanish-indigenous blood of Mexican race. The Mariachi has different forms of music such as son, cancion ranchera, bolero ranchero, huapango and polka (Sheehy 28). As well, Mariachi is poetic using the copla and seguidilla forms (Sheehy 28). Mariachi music is played for serenades, baptism, birthdays, quinceaneras, weddings, Mother’s Days, funerals, conventions, store openings, company parties, civic celebrations, political campaigns, Mass, or in restaurants, bars, theatres, radio and television shows ( Sheehy 2, 3). This music is so anchored in Mexican’s history that it is found in all types of celebration. Over time, this popularity has divided Mariachi music into two types: the authentic folk mariachi which consists of only string instruments and the commercial urban Mariachi which has changed the original music the mariachis played (Simonett 136). The music was at first introduced by men, today the women mariachis have been on the rise. This came with the popularity of Mariachi music among the Mexican community living in the United States which allowed women to be part of this cultural phenomenon (Sheehy 59). Still, the presence of women in Mariachi’s band within Mexico orders remains scarce. jshflksdjfsdfl