Get to know the instruments behind música Mexicana

As a music enthusiast and someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich tapestry of Latin American rhythms, I find myself captivated by the unique instruments that give Mexican music its distinct flavor. The accordion, guitarrón, and violin each hold a special place in my heart, not just for their roles in creating the harmonious melodies we all love, but also because of the stories they tell about the people who play them.

The distinct sound of Mexican music, from the resonant guitarron on “Cielito Lindo” by the mariachi, to the forceful accordion in Los Tigres del Norte’s “Ni Parientes Somos”, and even the trap drums in a Natanael Cano corrido tumbado, is undeniably recognizable.

Over time, the dynamic nature of this genre has a knack for blending and adopting elements from different forms. As it evolves, it also gives birth to innovative sounds and even creates fresh musical instruments along the way.

Mexican musicians are always discovering innovative methods, be it by blending an instrument with roots traced back to the ancient Mayan era or reinterpreting one to produce something original, such as the folksy accordion, a European import from the 19th century that they have transformed in unique ways.

Mexican music artists are blazing their unique trails, leading to the emergence of fresh tunes such as Estevie’s innovative pop-cumbia harmonies and Fuerza Regida’s “Jersey corridos.” This diversification offers listeners a rich variety of musical experiences to explore.

As a passionate lover of music with a particular affinity for Latin rhythms, I can confidently say that Mexican music is a vibrant tapestry woven from various cultural threads. While my personal journey through music hasn’t taken me to every corner of this vast genre, I have come across some truly unique sounds that set música Mexicana apart. Here are a few instruments that embody the spirit of this captivating art form.

Tololoche

Born in southern Mexico, this upright bass is known for its slapping technique – a raw, percussive sound produced when the string strikes the fretboard. Similar to the European double bass but smaller, it’s called a tololoche. Jorge Cardenas of the sierreño group Los Del Momento regards it as the most versatile Mexicana instrument; it can be used in corridos, mariachi, and norteño without requiring electrical amplification.

The secret ingredient is often missing. Even with countless tools at your disposal, if there’s no bass, it lacks depth,” Cardenas pointed out. “My style is a fusion that combines the raw energy of rock ‘n’ roll with the structured, clean tones characteristic of mariachi music.

Requinto

Prominently associated with Mexican music, the distinctively bright and often fast-paced notes of the requinto guitar are easily identifiable. This instrument gained widespread recognition due to Los Panchos, a renowned romantic trio from Mexico City in the 1940s, who produced hits like “Besame Mucho” and “Sabor a Mi,” collaborating with American jazz singer Eydie Gorme. The requinto guitar can come with 5, 6, or 12 strings and is generally tuned higher than a standard guitar. Diego Magaña, a member of the L.A.-based band Arsenal Dorado, specializes in playing the 12-string requinto, focusing his style on the “old-school Mexican music,” where the guitar has a slightly simpler, heavier sound.

Magaña stated, “It’s the one that performs all the enchanting tricks and subtle background effects. At times, you’ll hear sounds you didn’t realize a guitar was capable of. I prefer to keep things straightforward, but occasionally I’ll add some flair or pizzazz.

Vihuela

Similar to a scaled-down guitarrón, the vihuela contributes to the mariachi’s string section by reaching higher notes. The A, D, and G strings are set an octave above those of a standard guitar, introducing a fresh dimension of sound. Nancy Sanchez, a singer-songwriter and member of Las Chorizeras who grew up immersed in mariachi music, admits to being captivated by the vihuela’s rhythmic pattern known as “los manicos.” By alternating between upward and downward strumming, she creates a more percussive effect with the instrument. Drawn from her traditional mariachi roots, Sanchez uses the vihuela as a means to infuse novelty into her sound.

Sanchez expressed that he employs the vihuela creatively, viewing it more as a composer than a traditionalist. He enjoys experimenting with extended chords and various manicos, and prefers to strum it, which lends a unique texture to his music.

Guiro

The guiro, a crucial element in various Latin music styles, acts as the pulse of cumbia. Its tubular shape, often crafted from wood or metal, is adorned with ridges or serrated edges that enable musicians to scrape its sides, producing a sound similar to a snare drum. This portable instrument plays a vital role in maintaining the rhythm and ensuring dancers stay in step with the beat. Alan Vega, a renowned producer-songwriter who has collaborated with artists like Estevie and Sofia Reyes, considers the guiro as “the most significant and easily identifiable component of cumbia’s percussion.

Vega stated, “Removing the guiro would diminish the overall vibe of the music.” He explained, “Some cumbias possess a unique energy that grows, and when all elements come together, it creates an atmosphere perfect for dancing.

Saxophone

In the 1940s, this brassy woodwind instrument, often associated with the saxophone, became indispensable to Mexican music. By doing so, it enabled bands to focus more on the melody. Within an ensemble, the saxophone typically assumes the role of delivering the song’s lyrical aspects. Manny Dorado, a saxophonist for Tamborazo Aguila y Serpiente, appreciates this instrument for its “vibrant color palette” and “shimmery yet modern sound.” Originally intending to play jazz with it, he was amazed by the versatility of the saxophone within Mexican music, eventually deciding to explore that avenue instead.

Dorado mentioned that “it can closely mimic a human voice, particularly an alto one.” He added that although it’s pitched higher, it also has lower undertones which enables it to emulate the richness of an alto voice.

Bajo quinto

The bajo quinto resembles an acoustic guitar but is somewhat larger, featuring a sharp point and recognized by its powerful, ominous resonance. Featuring five sets of steel strings, this robust guitar takes on the role of following the requinto and enriching the melody with its rhythmic metallic hum. Andres Torres, from the corrido group Los Torres, notes that the bajo quinto gives Mexican music a distinctive flavor. Alongside his brothers, he spends much of his time touring the country, sharing the bajo quinto in as many locations as possible.

Torres expressed that the unique vibe of the bajo quinto, both in its performance and sound, is truly exceptional. He also emphasized that Mexican music possesses a distinctive energy which seems to be unparalleled elsewhere.

Accordion

Through the polkas of German and Czech immigrants, the accordion found its way into various subgenres of Mexican music, such as cumbia (like Celso Piña’s “Cumbia Sobre el Río) and norteño (for instance, Ramón Ayala’s entire discography). In these musical settings, the accordion adopts a unique tuning style known as diatonic, which limits it to playing a specific range of notes in a particular key. There are two types of accordions – one with piano keys and another with buttons – but they both produce similar effects. Christian Salazar of Los Desvelados, an L.A.-based corrido group, was captivated by the accordion’s ability to take charge as a leading instrument.

As a passionate movie buff, I’d put it this way: Mexican music, much like a vibrant, boisterous character in a film, possesses its own unique charm. It mirrors a significant part of my identity and the way I present myself on stage – one might even say it craves the spotlight, just as some unforgettable characters do.

Guitarrón

Almost every mariachi band includes an oversize bass that is often twice the size of the musician playing it: the guitarrón. The large, guitar-shaped instrument with a V-shaped back has six strings and keeps the rest of the group in rhythm. Its echoing rumble sharpens the sound of the leading guitar, making its presence crucial. Stephany Mejia, guitarrón player and founder of Mariachi Loco del Valle, connected with her passion for mariachi music when she took classes at Plaza de la Raza’s School of Performing and Visual Arts. Moving from the guitar to the vihuela and finally landing on the guitarrón, the San Fernando Valley musician stuck by the bass as an act of female empowerment — it tends to be played by men.

In my own words, I’d say: “This guitarron holds deep significance for me. I acquired it from a mariachi musician who was affiliated with Alejandro Fernandez, a renowned singer who sadly passed away not long ago. Many people might be unaware or may not fully appreciate its value. Yet, in a sense, it feels as though it’s been entrusted to me.

Violin

Often associated with being part of an orchestra, the violin plays a crucial role in shaping melodies within mariachi music. Unlike the rhythm section, its four strings introduce a lively tone to the traditional folk music style. In many mariachi groups, multiple violinists come together to create a more robust sound while also maintaining individual responsibilities. For Anisette Noperi, a violinist from Las Chorizeras, the instrument holds sentimental value as her father and brothers are also musicians. Trained in both orchestras and mariachi bands, she is intrigued by how modern Mexican music performers are pushing the boundaries with the violin.

Noperi shared that he is skilled in playing traditional mariachi tunes, yet contemporary Mexican music continues to drive our growth. The fresh sounds we can blend into our repertoire help us become more proficient musicians.

Read More

• JPY VND PREDICTION
• PSP PREDICTION. PSP cryptocurrency
• GBP MYR PREDICTION
• USD ISK PREDICTION
• UNIBOT PREDICTION. UNIBOT cryptocurrency
• NFAI PREDICTION. NFAI cryptocurrency
• GNO PREDICTION. GNO cryptocurrency
• CWAR PREDICTION. CWAR cryptocurrency
• GENE PREDICTION. GENE cryptocurrency
• EUR RUB PREDICTION

2024-09-19 18:34