Joyous country Mexico is. Mariachi music is distinguished from other types of music by it's instruments, unique style of dress, and the songs themselves! The two instruments used that give a Mariachi band it's distinct sound are called a guitarron and a vihuela. The guitarron resembles a large bass guitar, and also has a belly in the back.
It has six strings tuned within an octave and a half range, and is the heart of the Mariachi ensemble. The vihuela is a variation of a small guitar with a belly in the back and five treble strings.Other instruments found in your typical Mariachi band include trumpets, violins, and guitars. The Mariachi costume consists of ankle boots, a sombrero, a mono or large bow tie, a short Jacket, snug trousers without back pockets and shiny buttons along the side, and a wide belt.
This costume is known as "charro", or Mexican cowboy. In Mexico, women are not allowed to be in a Mariachi group. It is strictly for men. But here in the U. S. , more and more women have been Joining them! Mariachi lyrics, for the most part, are humorous and not to be taken seriously.
Simply because of what a happy and fun style of music it is!The rhythmic pattern distinguishes is from the other styles of music. It is an alteration between 3/4 and 6/8 with heavy syncopation. The resulting sound is the heart and soul of Mexico! The birthplace of Mariachi music is Jalisco, located west of Mexico City, in the nineteenth century. Musicologists, folklorists, and linguists have argued for years over the true meaning of the word Mariachi. Still, to this day, the meaning is still ambiguous.
The best scholarly opinion is that the word Mariachi has native roots. Most Mariachi bands found employment at haciendas (ranches). There, they would earn more than the average laborer.After the revolution, many haciendas has to let the Mariachi bands go.
The musicians then traveled from town to town, playing in public venues for fees. Then, in the 1950's and 60's, their popularity blew up to it's highest point. Even today, Mariachi music is played around the world in places as far away as Japan and Europe! Mariachi music the typical music you hear playing in all the popular Mexican beats that give us the idea of what a Joyous country Mexico is. Not only is Mariachi music considered to be the best representation of the Mexican culture, but it is also considered the heart and soul of Mexico!
