{"id":12442,"date":"2019-04-10T12:20:32","date_gmt":"2019-04-10T16:20:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/spanish\/?p=12442"},"modified":"2019-04-10T12:20:32","modified_gmt":"2019-04-10T16:20:32","slug":"mariachi-music","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/spanish\/mariachi-music\/","title":{"rendered":"Mariachi Music"},"content":{"rendered":"

El mariachi es un g\u00e9nero de m\u00fasica tradicional de M\u00e9xico<\/strong> (Mariachi is a genre of traditional Mexican music). It’s an important part of Mexican culture and has even been recognized on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at mariachi music and learn some Spanish along the way.<\/p>\n

An Intro to Mariachi Music<\/h2>\n

Interestingly enough, no one really knows where the word mariachi comes from. Some believe it comes from the now-extinct language of the Coca Indians, but no one is sure. Wherever the word comes from, it can mean the style of music, a group, or just an individual performer.<\/p>\n

The origins of mariachi go back to the arrival of the Spanish. Prior to their arrival, indigenous people played music primarily with drums, flutes, and conch-shell horns. The Spaniards brought with them new instruments such as guitars, violins, and harps. Indigenous and mestizo people quickly took to these new instruments and even adapted them with new shapes and tuning.<\/p>\n

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Learning about the history of mariachi.<\/p><\/div>\n

Many different states claim to be the birthplace of mariachi. Many cite Jalisco as the place where mariachi originated, but the states of Colima, Nayarit, and Michoac\u00e1n all state their claim as well. Of course, different areas had different styles of mariachi. The mariachi ensemble that’s typical today has its roots in 19th century Jalisco.<\/p>\n

Mariachi stems from a folk style of music known as the son<\/em>. The variety that was popular in Jalisco was known as son jalisciense <\/i>and this is where the famous song “La Negra” comes from. \u00a0It was primarily performed in rural settings, usually as a serenada<\/em>. This is when a man would hire a mariachi group on his behalf to perform romantic music for a woman he was courting.<\/p>\n

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Mariachi en la plaza.<\/p><\/div>\n

By the early 1900s, mariachi made it to the big city. Many farm workers from rural Jalisco moved to Mexico City and brought mariachi along with them. They soon developed new practices, such as performing in plazas and restaurants to earn some extra income.<\/p>\n

After the Mexican Revolution, the government was trying to create a unified Mexican identity. As a result, mariachi was promoted as a symbol of Mexican culture. It became increasingly popular with the development of the radio and film industries in Mexico. Training for mariachi became more professional and formal over the years. It’s now one of the most famous aspects of Mexican culture and known all around the world.<\/p>\n

The Instruments of Mariachi<\/h2>\n

El mariachi es un grupo musical conformado generalmente por un n\u00famero m\u00ednimo de tres integrantes<\/strong> (Mariachi is a musical group usually made up of a minimum of three members). The size of a mariachi group varies, but these are the most typical instruments:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • guitarra (guitar)<\/li>\n
  • vihuela (a high-pitched 5-string guitar)<\/li>\n
  • guitarr\u00f3n (a bass guitar)<\/li>\n
  • viol\u00edn (violin)<\/li>\n
  • trompeta (trumpet)<\/li>\n
  • *flauta (flute)<\/li>\n
  • *arpa (harp)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    *flutes and harps are not very common but are sometimes used<\/p>\n

    \"Mariachi

    A large mariachi group performs in Guadalajara.<\/p><\/div>\n

    In a mariachi group, there isn’t exactly a “lead singer.” Rather, all members of the group take turns singing. It just depends on the song that they’re playing. Speaking of songs, mariachi groups usually know hundreds of songs, as they’re expected to be able to take requests.<\/p>\n

    The Clothing of Mariachi<\/h2>\n

    Originalmente los mariachis llevaban trajes tradicionales rurales de Jalisco<\/strong> (Originally, mariachi wore traditional rural costumes of Jaliso). Early mariachi groups dressed in simple peasant attire of white shirts and pants with huarache sandals. In the early 20th century, male mariachi bands began wearing the traje de charro\u00a0<\/em>that’s typical of cowboys from Jalisco. This includes:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • a big\u00a0sombrero\u00a0<\/em>(hat)<\/li>\n
    • a mo\u00f1o\u00a0<\/em>(lace bow)<\/li>\n
    • a corbata <\/em>(tie)<\/li>\n
    • a chaleco\u00a0<\/em>(vest) or\u00a0chaqueta corta<\/em> (boleto jacket)<\/li>\n
    • pantalones<\/em>\u00a0bien ajustados <\/em>(really tight pants) with a\u00a0correa ancha<\/em> (wide strap), cuffs and shiny buttons<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \"\"

      Mariachi band kicking out the jams.<\/p><\/div>\n

      These days, mariachi groups really dress to impress. I’m always amazed at how they manage to wear those elaborate suits and carry their heavy instruments along the beach in the hot sun where I live in Puerto Vallarta.<\/p>\n

      Famous Mariachi Songs<\/h2>\n

      One of the most famous mariachi songs is “Las Ma\u00f1anitas<\/em>” (“Little Mornings”). This song is always played at birthdays and during celebrations of patron saints. Here are the lyrics of this famous song so you can try to sing along!<\/p>\n

      \n

      Estas son las ma\u00f1anitas,
      \nque cantaba el Rey David,
      \nHoy por ser d\u00eda de tu santo,
      \nte las cantamos a ti,
      \nDespierta, mi bien, despierta,
      \nmira que ya amaneci\u00f3,
      \nYa los pajarillos cantan,
      \nla luna ya se meti\u00f3.<\/p>\n

      Que linda est\u00e1 la ma\u00f1ana
      \nen que vengo a saludarte,
      \nVenimos todos con gusto
      \ny placer a felicitarte,
      \nYa viene amaneciendo,
      \nya la luz del d\u00eda nos dio,
      \nLev\u00e1ntate de ma\u00f1ana,
      \nmira que ya amaneci\u00f3.<\/p>\n<\/div>

      \n

      This is the morning song
      \nthat King David sang
      \nBecause today is your saint’s day
      \nwe’re singing it for you
      \nWake up, my dear, wake up,
      \nlook it is already dawn
      \nThe birds are already singing
      \nand the moon has set<\/p>\n

      How lovely is the morning
      \nin which I come to greet you
      \nWe all came here with joy
      \nand pleasure to congratulate you
      \nThe morning is coming now,
      \nthe sun is giving us its light
      \nGet up in the morning,
      \nlook it is already dawn<\/p>\n<\/div>

      <\/div><\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n