Mariachi is a type of folk music in Mexico. It is usually performed in an ensemble at weddings and other celebrations. Mariachi is generally composed of string instruments along with a few woodwinds. Mariachi originally was thought to come from the French word for marriage, but now linguists believe that it came from Spanish for a certain wood tree used as a dancing platform.
Mariachi was formed during the late 1700s and was used as a way of communication and expression of Christian faith. It is believed to have begun in Jalisco, Mexico. Like other Latin American music, mariachi is a blend of music from different cultures. The native people of Mexico consists of drums, flutes, and rattles. The Spanish explorers brought in violins, guitars,
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harps, and woodwinds. Mariachi was formed when the natives adjusted the Spanish instruments to fit their music. In Mexico, boys and girls were kept apart, so mariachi music was used to attract a girl by playing the music under one’s lover’s window. Mariachi is usually played in an ensemble. The members of the ensemble is dressed like a typical Mexican stereotype. This outfit is called a “charro” and it consists of decorated pants, white shirt, short jacket, ornamented belt, and a bow tie. It looks almost like a traditional cowboy. The instruments of a mariachi traditionally consists of violins, harps, guitars, vihuelas (modified guitar), trumpets, and guitarrón (large guitar). However clarinets and flutes have been known to be used because of improvisation of resources. There are many types of mariachi music.
Jarabe is the most traditional form of mariachi. It has a 6/8 meter and the first note has an accent followed by five softer notes. One of the most famous songs that represents Mexico music is the “Jarabe Tapatío”. The meter can change to different types of meters in a single song. It is usually has dancers performing. Bolero is geared towards love. It is harmonic and complicated. It is in 4/4 time and usually have major or minor tag endings. A chotis originated from Mexico and is similar to a German country dance move. The rhythm is alternating from eighth rest to eighth note and adds an quarter note instead of an eight note at the end. The cumbia is on a 2/4 beat and originated in …show more content…
Colombia. A famous band of mariachi is Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán (translated means “Mariachi Vargas of Tecalitlán.).
It is one of the most oldest mariachi band that was formed in the 1897 by Gaspar Vargas. It was formed in Tecalitlán which is south of Jalisco; it was originally had four musicians, one Mexican guitar, a wooden harp and two violins. They won a mariachi contest twice and caught the attention of Mexican president Lázaro Cárdenas. President Cárdenas made them the official mariachi band of the Mexican Police Department. Their first recording was released in 1937 and appeared in the Mexican film, Asi es mi Tierra. They eventually appeared in more than 200 film by the end of the century. In 1941, they added trumpets to their group of 8 musicians. Mariachi Vargas was often chosen as a top group for mariachi conference. Today, Mariachi Vargas still maintains some of its traditional Mexican
music. Mariachi dance is usually in the style of zapateado. Zapateado is performed by driving one’s foot into the dance floor. This recreates a pounding, percussive sound. Because of the such force, some of the most strongest dance floors have been splintered after a zapateado dance. Mariachi hold in America originated in California. Nati Cano moved to California in 1959 and backed up the mariachi groups playing there. He then opened a restaurant called La Fonda and featured mariachi music during the night. This inspired the growth of mariachi bands all over America. Texas hosted the 1971 international mariachi conference, that featured many mariachi groups such as Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitán. University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) became the first school to incorporate mariachi music into its curriculum. Public schools around America have followed UCLA lead and included mariachi ensembles into band instruction. This gives children exposure to Mexican music and gives them opportunities to perform in mariachi competitions. In conclusion, mariachi is a type of folk that is used during wedding celebrations. Mariachi bands are popular in America such as the Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán. Mariachi is usually accompanied by a dance called zapateado. There are many types of mariachi such as bolero, jarabe, chotis, and cumberia. Mariachi is a very popular type of music in Mexico as well as in the US.
Dia de los reyes magos is on Jan. 5 - Feb. 2 and the day is about the 3 wisemen, But January the 6th is the special day in Mexico….. this day represents the height of the Christmas season. This celebration is where it is stated that the kings, Melchor, Gaspar, and Balthasar, traveled by night all the way from the farthest confines of the Earth to bring gifts to Jesus, whom they recognized as the Son of God. As well as regal, the Three Kings are depicted as wise men, whose very wisdom is proved by their acknowledgement of Christ's divine status. Arrived from three different directions, the kings followed the light provided by the star of Bethlehem, which reportedly lingered over the manger where the Virgin Mary gave birth for many days. In
It is considered to be folk music, but by the 1800s it had become festive dance music. This music celebrates the ups, and downs for people. Today, Mariachi music is heard everywhere, and is part of the past, present, and future. Mariachi contains many Mexican traditions like the Spanish instruments, clothing, and dance style. Mariachi is also an important and fun way to study of Mexican music because it is an ensemble created during the colonial period.
The tradition still takes place today in many areas of Mexico. However, some parts of Mexico do the dance a little differently. The dance is more common in the central regi...
It was music of country people that celebrated the joys, the struggles, and the triumphs of the Mexican people. The Mariachi was a version of Spanish theatrical orchestra consisting of violins (usually two), guitars, also called “guitarron”, and a harp. The word “Mariachi” derives from the French word “wedding” or “marriage”. Music and dance were important elements of Spanish theatrical productions, enormously popular throughout the Spanish-speaking world during the colonial period. It was from this group that several of the most distinctive regional ensembles of Mexico developed, including the Mariachi. The musical form and ensemble of the Mariachi developed differently from region to region throughout time. The ensemble that is familiar today began to take shape in the nineteenth century in the state of Jalisco. In other areas such as Veracruz and Huasteca, the northeast region of the country, the ensemble evolved differently. By the end of the nineteenth century, the instrumentation consisted of the cocula or the vihuela, two violins, the guitarron, and two
Tex-Mex is a fusion of Northern Mexico and Southern Texas culture that initiated some time after the Spanish-American war when Texas was originally a part of Mexico. Tex-Mex can be used to talk about food as well as music, a culture in its own community. Tejano music dates far back into the mid-part of the 19th century, starting with a “more pop-oriented urban form relying on keyboards and synthesizer in place of the accordion.” (Broughton, 2000) It is said that this genre of music initiated when German, Polish, and Czech immigrants introduced the accordion, and from then on, evolved into three subgenres of Tejano music. Something that stands out about Tejano music is its instrumentation and orchestration as seen in conjunto, Banda, and grupo, the three subgenres that emerged throughout the spread of time with the influences of many artists
The traditions my parents instilled in me at a young age are important to me. They are part of my Latin culture and identity. One of the most important traditions that I value the most is our devotion to “La Virgen de Guadalupe” (The Virgin of Guadalupe), and although I don't go to church or share a specific a religion, I believe in La Virgen as a protector and a guardian figure and maintain her presence in my daily life.
The history of the mariachi can be traced back to the sixteenth century and the days of the Spanish colonization. During this time, theatre was immensely popular. The instruments used in these theatrical productions included violins, guitars, and harps. It was to this time, and to these instruments, that the origins of the modern mariachi can be traced (Mexico, The Melting of Two Cultures, 1991).
The origin of Mexican Folklorico dances originate from Mesoamerican days when the Mayas and the Aztecs
The instruments used for this song is of a standard rock band; lead vocalist, electric guitar, bass guitar and drum kit. The genre for this song is determined by the steady and yet simplistic instruments used in this version. An interesting note is that the chorus is in the genre of rock but the verses combine the genres tango and reggae. This could be because merging these three different styles of music attracted the attention of youth more with rock being rebellious at that time and tango and reggae having a heavy beat for that time period. ...
Mexico is known for many things that range from its beautiful beaches to its small unique towns to its food, but another aspect of Mexican culture that also stands out, is its many forms of music. When people think about music of Mexico, they typically think about mariachi or banda and the dances that are associated with the genres, but what a lot of people don’t realize is that there are other forms of music such as corridos and many types of sones. Since there are many genres in Mexican music, I will focus on corridos. Corridos have always been an important genre to Mexican music since they have always had an important message in them, although sometimes controversial and have also described the day-to-day lives of Mexicans.
“The most common highland dance is the huayno, which is performed to love songs. The most common Ciriello dance is the Macarena, Peru’s national courtship dance” (Morrison 112).
The rumba is a dance and music genre that originated in Cuba in the mid 1800s. It has often been compared with North American blues, as it was a vehicle of protest and expression among the working class poor of places of Cuban and African decent. The rumba is a combination of percussion and vocal ensemble, and was often a community event where many were encouraged to participate.
All around the world, there are thousands of cultures. Although they are different, every culture partakes in dance. Dancing is something known worldwide. Every culture has traditional cultural dancing they partake in. Mexico has many cultural dances. La danza del venado is one traditional dance from Northern Mexico. La danza del venado, is known as the deer dance.
The Latin American music scene is an amazingly diverse, engaging and entertaining music culture. Thomas (2011) explains, “…Latin American music has engaged in ongoing dialogue and cultural exchange that has profoundly affected music making in Europe and the United States and, more recently, in Africa and Asia as well”. This paper will be describing different aspects of the music culture from its musical features, to the historical aspect of this interesting music culture. Also, I will discuss a personal experience with Latin American music. After researching the music culture, I attended a concert performed by Boogat, an Emmy award nominated Latin American musician from Quebec who has toured all over North America. Latin American music culture