Mariachi Magic-More than Just a Song
Tara A. Spears
Nothing says Mexico like mariachi music, beaches, and tequila! The passion of a culture is exemplified in the mariachi performances: it is more than music; it is more than visual costumes; Mariachi is history, pride and passion put into a musical form. One doesn’t listen to mariachi- you are enveloped by the melodies and romantic clothes, pulled to your feet to participate. Mariachi is an art form that has always been transmitted orally.
While it is uncertain exactly where the first mariachi group originated in Mexico, it is certain that string bands have been popular in Mexico since the colonial era (1521-1810), and that regional variations of these groups that existed in rural areas of Jalisco and surrounding states eventually evolved into what became known as the mariachi.
According to music historian, Vicente Mendoza, “Mestizo folk ensembles that were forerunners of the mariachi group were found over a very large territory and varied greatly in instrumentation, sometimes including wind and percussion instruments, as well as strings.”
It is in the area of Jalisco and surrounding states — widely considered the heartland of the mariachi — two regional instrumentations had become prominent by the nineteenth century: In the region of Cocula, in central Jalisco, a mariachi commonly consisted of two violins, a vihuela and a guitarrón. In the region of Tecalitlán, in southern Jalisco, a mariachi commonly consisted of two violins, a guitarra de golpe and a harp.
While its roots are rural, the mariachi we know today is an urban phenomenon that evolved mainly in Mexico City. After the Mexican Revolution died down in the 1920s, traditional mariachis from different parts of the country began migrating to Mexico City, the nation’s capital, where Plaza Garibaldi became the urban mecca of mariachi music. There, and in other urban and suburban areas, changes in instrumentation and attire occurred, and the mariachi adopted new types of music to accommodate urban tastes. Radio, records, films and international tours all helped project this more contemporary type of mariachi to national and international audiences.
In the early 1920s mariachi ensembles that had been predominantly quartets tended to increase in size, and urban population centers became melting pots of different regional mariachi traditions. As part of this evolutionary process, the less practical harp and guitarra de golpe all but disappeared. Contemporary mariachi instrumentation for a full mariachi group today typically includes two trumpets, up to six violins, a vihuela, a nylon-string guitar and a guitarrón. All members may sing as well as play an instrument.
The trademark outfit of mariachi musicians is the Mexican charro suit or traje de charro. In the early days, rural mariachis dressed informally. But as the music gravitated to urban environments, however, with increased employment opportunities and more formal presentations, uniforms became common. When mariachis first acquired the purchasing power to dress their groups, the apparel they chose was the charro suit.
In imagery and symbolism, the mariachi has long been associated with Mexico’s charro tradition. The traje de charro is a Mexican adaptation of a type of horseman’s riding outfit that originated in Spain. The gala version of this suit worn by today’s mariachis — with its pantalón de charro (fitted trousers adorned with botonadura and/or greca), chaquetilla (short jacket), cinturón bordado (embroidered belt), botines de charro (ankle-high boots), moño or corbata de rebozo (wide bow tie) and sombrero de charro (wide-brimmed hat) — was once the attire of Mexico’s rural upper class. Although black with silver is considered the most formal color, mariachis today wear trajes de charro in many different colors. The costumes are so romantic and enhance the auditory experience of the music.
During the early 20th century mariachis played mainly sones (songs), corridos (a popular narrative song and poetry that forms a ballad. The songs are often about oppression, history, daily life for peasants, and other socially relevant topics.); valonas (The valona is a popular narrative song- and poetry-form of the Mexican state of Michoacán. Its main characteristics are a bitter sense of humor, bawdy content, and social concerns {Wikipedia};
Mariachi music includes the jarabe which is one of the most traditional song forms of the mariachi genre. The jarabe is traditionally performed with dancers, and in its traditional form constitutes a highly improvised choreographic tradition. An example is the Mexican Hat Dance song.) Mariachi is sometimes termed Mexican country music because the bands always include canciones mexicanas (Mexican songs).
In the urban setting, however, mariachis began adopting almost any music that was requested of them, adding folklore from other regions of Mexico, popular, classical, and international genres to their repertory. Modern mariachi musicians generally have a repertory of at least a thousand songs!
As the proficiency level of mariachi musicians and vocalists skyrocket, opportunities in the entertainment industry continue to expand. In the 21st century, mariachi is an internationally popular music genre. This uniquely Mexican music represents the soul of the people with songs about everyday live (cockroach); love; ballads about heros and the lively dance melodies that inspire everyone to get on their feet.
You can experience firsthand the professional mariachi performers Saturday, February 15 and Saturday, February 22, in the Guayabitos Plaza. These free concerts are excellent!