The Historical Elements Of The Mariachi
The Mariachi was the distinctive version of the Spanish theatrical orchestra of violins
, harp and guitars which developed in and around Jalisco. It originated in the southern part of the state of Jalisco sometime in the 19th century.
The mariachi is the sum of a cultural evolution that has taken place over the last century or so in Mexico. It is native to a region of western Mexico that includes what are today the states of Jalisco, Nayarit, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Michoacan, and Colima; extending as far north as Sinaloa and Durango and as far south as Guerrero.
The band is Mexico's only true surviving folkloric ensemble. They often help celebrate the great moments in the lives of the Mexican people. The mariachi band is used for many different occasions, such as dances, weddings, and funerals.
The mariachi tradition, as it is practiced in Mexico, is one of male dominance; and the mariachi band contains the following parts: the violins and vocals are the top voice, the rhythm section is the harmony, and the guitarrn is the bass (like the baroque "basso continue"). The mariachi violinists play the melody, or song line, in a particular way.
The mariachi - a hundred-year tradition - has been widely considered the quintessential Mexican folk-derived musical ensemble. The band is usually positioned strategically on the street beneath the window of the festejada, but the sound of its music echoes through the whole neighborhood.
The phenomenon rode the wave of immigration from Mexico into the desert, Southwest during the 20th century, appearing early in Los Angeles, Tucson, San Antonio and other cities with large Hispanic populations.
The mariachis perform the sones, or songs, of various regions across Mexico; the ballet folklorico music of various regions; and dance melodies called jarabe, huapango, danzon and cumbia. This was a version of Spanish theatrical orchestra containing violins, guitars, and a harp. The mariachi harp has its origins in the middle western part of Mexico, in the states of Colima, Jalisco and Michoacan.
The mariachi singing voice is one of the most popular folkloric sounds you will hear in the southern region of Texas today. The mariachi voice is a very unique sound in that any voice interpreting mariachi literature will have its own flavor and flare within the style.
The mariachi sound thus came to include the style known as the "son", which also reflected an African influence that combined a mixture of Spanish, native and African traditions and differs from region to region.
The Mariachi from Cocula utilized the guitarron and the vihuela in place of the harp and the guitarra de golpe, besides the two violins. The mariachi bolero is a romantic song in 4/4 time. The mariachi corrido is similar musically to the ranchera.
The Mariachi is forced to choose between his peaceful life (the guitar) and his violent past (the gun within the guitar). The Mariachi and their style of music can be found in all quadrants of the world now, in places as far away as Japan and Europe.
by: Jackie Spivey
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