Preview

Mariachi Music Essay

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
544 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Mariachi Music Essay
Mariachi Music Mariachi is a traditional style of music in Mexico. It is seen at local and cultural festivals, theatres, and even fiestas (parties). Most Mariachi songs are about love and romance, even lost love. Until the 1930’s Mariachi was unknown to folks outside of the region. It was the music of county people, so Mariachi groups were local or semi-professional.

History of Mariachi Mariachi emerged in the late 1700s-early 1800s. As Christianity began to spread through the area, traditional instruments like the rattles and clay flutes gave way to Spanish-imported instruments like the violin, guitar, and harp. The people of Mexico began to learn how to play these instruments, as well as craft their own versions.
No one really knows
…show more content…
Zapateado is a form of dance associated with son jalisciense and son jarocho. Originating in Spain, it is comprised of singers driving their feet into the floor to create a syncopated rhythm. “In the dance the movements of the performers often represent the farm-yard courtship described in the verses of the sones. (mariachi.org)”

Mariachi at Special Occasions
Mariachis often aid in the celebration of the lives of Mexicans. They range from weddings and baptisms to funerals. It is also not uncommon for a man to send the woman of his heart a message. This is called serenata (serenade). Mariachi music is also incorporated into mass, which is the the most sacred ritual of the Roman Catholic Church. The traditional elements of mass are interpreted with customary Spanish instruments and the song Misa Panamericana.

Instruments used in Mariachi There are four main instruments used in Mariachi: the violin, the vihuela, the guitar, the guitarron, and the trumpet. The vihuela is made in Southwestern Jalisco by the Coca Indians. A thumb pick is used so that the five strings can create a high-pitched harmony along with a steady foundation that is the core of Mariachi. It has a very similar look to the guitar but with a convex back. The guitar and the vihuela play the same rhythmic

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    The Vihuela also plays a major role in a Mariachi ensemble. The Vihuela is an instrument that is basically two different guitars ring instruments. The one played in the Mariachi…

    • 363 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Merengues are quick movements with a 2/4 beat. The conventional instrumentation for a conjunto típico , folk typically when performing merengue, are the following, a güira which is a percussion instrument that sounds like a maraca, diatonic accordion, as well as a two–sided drum, called a tambora which is placed on ones lap.…

    • 53 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The mariachi music began around the 1800’s. Mariachi is usually most exciting and delightful. It was believed that it was obtained from French marriage. Mariachi began in the nineteenth century in the Ciudad de Jalisco. It was said that the mariachi orchestra was composed of violins, harp, and guitars. Later it began spreading differently in the areas of Mexico such as Veracruz and Huasteca. The harp has been replaced by two violins and the guitarro. The mariachi music is composed of a guitarron, vihuela, guitar, violin, and trumpet. It is fell into mestizo folk music. In mariachi, people dance the zapateado that originated in Spain. It is Son Jalisciense and son jarocho combined. In mariachi music it could speak…

    • 504 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Marimba History

    • 546 Words
    • 3 Pages

    two, or three slabs of disconnected wood. African gourds were placed as resonators. A musician from Chiapas…

    • 546 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Out of all of the traditions that makes the Puerto Rican culture must be its music. Some of the instruments played in customary Puerto Rican music originated with the Taíno people. The most notable is the güicharo, or guiro. Some of the guiros were made from dried gourds and fruits. They were also made from animal bones and wood as well. This instrument was adapted from the people of the pre-Colombian days. The musical traditions of the Spanish and Africans can also be heard in Puerto Rico's music. Such music are their classical music,…

    • 324 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Raimbaut de Vasqueiras: Kalenda maya This song is an example of a troubadour dance. The music has both voices and instrumental. There is a definite beat you can move to. Timbre of the song is festive. Song itself is somewhat repetitive.…

    • 1138 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    There are many musical groups or peñas in towns across Chile, they play a variety of music ranging from folk to salsa music from other Latin American countries as well as modern Western-style pop…

    • 444 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The viola is not the best known instrument in the violin family. In fact, ask anyone you know that is not involved with orchestra what it is and they would blink dumbly at you. In reality, even though the violin is better known in today's society, it is possible that violas appeared before violins because the Italian word for violin, violino, is derived from the word viola, although no one knows who invented it or when it was invented.…

    • 390 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Native American Instruments

    • 5061 Words
    • 21 Pages

    Drums and rattles are the most common instruments used in Native American music. Other percussion instruments include rasps, bells (usually attached to clothing), and clap-sticks. Melodic instruments include flutes, whistles, and stringed instruments. The Apache violin is a single-string instrument made from the stalk of the agave plant, and is indigenous to the Apache people. The Yaqui violin, on the other hand, is closely modeled upon European instruments played at missions during the 17th century. Folk guitars and harps, also copied from European models, may be found among some Southwestern peoples.…

    • 5061 Words
    • 21 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Francisco Madero, the wealthy man who fought for the poor. Born in 1873, Francisco Madero came from one of the most wealthy families in Mexico, the northern state of Coahuila was the families haciendas, but the financial influence of his family was al over the place with industries from textile to mining, vineyards, rubber and coals. As a teenager he studied in the United States with a major in agriculture at Berkeley. He was always a god man that took care that all the workers in the haciendas were treated well. He always admires and followed he ideals of democracy; one of his heroes was the great Mexican revolutionary, Benito Juarez. He had the dream that Mexico would one day end the dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz and had its democracy. Madero felt frustrated by Diaz’ dictatorship.…

    • 498 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Sertaneja Music

    • 946 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Ranchera is in totality one of the most popular styles of traditional Latin American music. Originally, it was played by a single guitar player but later became closely related to a full Mariachi band. Ranchera became very influential in promotion of Mexican culture during the troubling times of the Mexican Revolution…

    • 946 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Inca Dance Culture

    • 478 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Cesar Villalobos claims that the instruments that the natives use (and/or the different materials with which they make them) are also particular to specific areas, and are directly related to the natural elements at hand for the making of the instruments. He continues: "While in one area the back of a charango might be made with the carcass of an armadillo, in another it might be made with the shell of a tortoise; while in one area the sikus flute (pan flute) might be made from thin and long bamboo, producing a windy sound, in another area…

    • 478 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ballet Folklorico

    • 655 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Not all of the folklorico dancers wear long thick skirts to make skirt tricks. Each costume from each region represents that particular region by containing things they would wear and things that characterize that region, in other words the region’s heritage. For example, in the region of Nuevo Leon, German and ranching heritages arise. This is represented through the costume by including cowboy hats, boots (the color could be either black or white), shorter skirts up to the knee, and even fringe on the male costumes. Where the difference of costumes is exemplified is in the region of Jalisco. This is the origin of mariachi music, so it’s no surprise that the songs are based off of this music. Reflecting off of this heritage, men wear sombreros and charro. This is one of the regions where the women wear the popular skirts that people think of when they hear folklorico. These skirts contain brightly-colored ribbons to represent certain cultures from their region. As you can see the regions of Nuevo Leon and Jalisco have two completely different heritages, and this is reflected in their…

    • 655 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Mayan musical traditions are characterized by a hybrid nature of pre and post Encounter traditions, instrumentation, beliefs, practice and performance. Today someone can examine contemporary Mayan music to identify these European and indigenous characteristics. This paper is about the scholarly literature and musical selections of Mayan music to confirm the premise of hybridization.…

    • 666 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Spanish Music Culture

    • 666 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The music of Spanish culture is mostly upbeat and energetic, with a fast tempo. Such as the Jota, a traditional music style that is originated in Aragon, Spain. The Jota is very well known in Aragon but it has been widely spread all the way to the Philippines. This type of music style includes a dance, like a waltz, but with more variations. The Jota music style, has songs that are diverse content with interpretations. Another fast up beat music style is the Fandango. Fandango means “a big fuss,” or “nonsense.” This style has dances that are very lively and energetic. This style, like the Jota, has been spread to the Philippines, and also to Portugal. One of the most energetic, music style is the famous Flamenco. The flamenco is famous for its very entertaining singing, dancing, guitar playing, and hand clapping. With it’s intricate dance moves and musical abilities, Flamenco has become popular all over the world, even all the way to Japan. Another, very popular music style, originating in Seville, is similar to the Flamenco style, the Sevillanas. Sevillanas is a type of folk music, which can be heard in most of southern Spain, during festivals and fiestas. The dancing for Sevillanas is usually an old folk dance, that is danced by people of all ages and genders. Also, there is the Zambra. Zambra is another type of Flamenco, which the dance includes barefoot and finger cymbals. The dance mostly resembles belly dancing and is sometimes performed by gypsies for tourists. Then, there is the Paso Doble. The Paso…

    • 666 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays