Polkas - Mariachi

by Jesse Flores | October 17, 2019 | Uncategorized

Influence on Mariachi and Mainstream Music

The norteño musical style influenced music from other regions of Mexico, such as what is probably the most widely-recognizable form of Mexican music, the mariachi music from the Guadalajara region.

Norteño or tejano-style music is nearly always performed in Spanish, even by Mexican-Americans who speak primarily English. For example, native Texan and Spanish-English crossover artist Selena sang in Spanish before she could properly speak Spanish. For Selena, later known as the Queen of Tejano Music, the competition was less fierce in the Mexican music market compared to the American music market. She rode the Mexican music market to fame and ranks as one of the most influential Latin musicians of all time.

The norteño or tejano-style genre in the United States is often erroneously viewed as synonymous with Hispanic music, but it is just a type of Spanish-language music and represents only one genre of Mexican music. Mexican music is incredibly diverse and Spanish-language music is even more diverse, spanning many continents and representing different nationalities around the world.

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A casual listener would be forgiven for not knowing one kind of accordion music from another. But where two cultures in particular are concerned, the similarity comes with a century-old backstory involving immigration and imitation.

On the 76th birthday of Flaco Jimenez — one of the instrument's most celebrated living players — Morning Edition asks how the accordion-heavy folk music of northern Mexico came to sound so much like the polkas and waltzes of Eastern Europe. Hear the conversation, featuring Felix Contreras of NPR's Alt.Latino and Chris Strachwitz of Arhoolie Records, at the audio link.

From the 19th to 20th century, migrations from rural areas into Guadalajara, along with the Mexican government's cultural promotion gradually re-labeled it as Son style, with its alternative name of “mariachi” becoming used for the “urban” form. Modifications of the music include influences from other music such as polkas and waltzes, the addition of trumpets and the use of charro outfits by mariachi musicians. The musical style began to take on national prominence in the first half of the 20th century, with its promotion at presidential inaugurations and on the radio in the 1920s.

In 2011 UNESCO recognized mariachi as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, joining six other entries on the Mexican list of that category.^[1]

Song styles and instrumentals performed with Mariachi include rancheras, corridos, cumbias, boleros, ballads, sones, huapangos, jarabes, danzones, joropos, pasodobles, marches, polkas, waltzes and chotís.

Traditionally from the northern part of México, they are instrumental and played slightly faster than their German ancestor.
Traditionally played for dancing.
2/4 rhythm.

Mariachi Reviews

Industrialization, urbanization, and the Mexican Revolution forever changed the hacienda way of life that had given rise to the son jaliscience. As the old haciendas faltered in the new economic and political reality, field workers were let go, and many of them moved to cities in search of new opportunities. The ones who could play music often used their skills to earn a living or supplement their incomes in the new world in which they found themselves. New influences began to transform the old style of music: cross pollination with jazz, Cuban music, and European waltzes and polkas led to the introduction of trumpets to the traditional ensemble of strings and gave rise to the modern Mariachi soun

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RANCHERA

Ranchera music draws on traditional folklore and its songs are usually about love, patriotism or nature. “El Grito Mexicano” a yell that is done during instrumental interludes either by the musicians or by members of the audience is common in Ranchera music. The word Ranchera was derived from the word “rancho” because the music originated on the ranches of rural Mexico. Ranchera music is said to have been born of a new national consciousness during the Mexican revolution in reaction to the aristocratic tastes of the era. Rancheras are varied and can reflect the tempo of a waltz, a polka or a bolero.

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NORTEÑO (GRUPERO)

The accordion and the “bajo sexto” (a twelve string guitar) are Norteños most characteristic instruments. In the late 19th century European migrants brought the accordion, waltz and polka, from their homeland to Northern Mexico (hence the name Norteño which means “Northern”) and the U.S. Southwest. Local bands adopted these elements, blended them with their Ranchera music, and a new genre was born. The tempo is usually middle or fast. “Tejano” or “Tex-Mex” music is often confused with Norteño, however Tejano is a blend of Norteño and American rock and country music. Grupo Pesado is the leader in Norteño music today.

Although the people of Mexico listen to music from all over the world and also produce their own forms of modern music, traditional Mexican music continues to be very popular with people of all ages. These traditional forms of Mexican music are undeniably colorful, filled with passion and were created in the origins of this culturally rich country.

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