The History of Mariachi!
Folklorists and musicologists have argued for many years over the origin of the term - Mariachi.
The explanation which appears most frequently - particularly in travel brochures and on record jackets - is that it’s a variation of the French term marriage, which means marriage or wedding, and comes from the period in the 19th century as a Frenchman, Maximillian, was Mexico’s Emperor. According to the myth the Mariachi was named by French people after the celebration with which it was more typically associated. However, this explanation, always regarded as very doubtful by linguists, was recently thoroughly discredited as a use of the word was discovered that predated the period as the French arrived within Mexico.
However, currently the top scholarly opinion is that the term mariachi has native roots. A theory is that it derives from the term of the wood utilized to make the platform upon which the artists danced to the music of the musicians in the village. However, whatever its real source - and the fact might never be found with absolute certainty - the term these days has a single meaning which is very clear: Mariachi will mean one of the most enchanting and exciting musical ensembles discovered anywhere within the world.
Unique Composition of Mariachi Ensembles
Today, in a complete Mariachi group there are as many as 6 - 8 violins, 2 trumpets, and 1 guitar - all standard European instruments. Next, there’s a round-backed, high-itched guitar referred to as the vihuela that as strummed in a traditional way is going to give the Mariachi its common rhythmic vitality; deep-voiced guitar referred to as the guitarró n that will serve as the ensemble’s bass; and Mexican folk harp that generally doubles the base line, yet additionally ornaments the melody. As those 3 instruments have their origins on Europe, within their present form they’re stringently Mexican.
The sound which those instruments blend to make is unique. Similar to the sarape that oftentimes widely uses contrasting colors side to side – orange and green, blue and yellow - the Mariachi utilizes sharply contrasting sounds: those sweet sounds of the violins against a brilliance of trumpets, and deep sound of the guitarró n against high, crisp voice of the vihuela; and frequent shifting in between on-beat rhythm and syncopation. The sound that results includes the heart and soul of Mexico.
Mariachi during Special Occasions
Oftentimes, Mariachis assist in celebrating the fun moments within the lives of the people of Mexico. With the serenade (serenata), the Mariachi participates within the rite of courtship. Within a society in which the younger members of opposite sexes were kept apart, the serenade included a means of communication where a young male might send a message of love to the female that had captured his heart. In the majority of regions of Mexico, it isn’t considered unusual to be fully awakened by the sound of Las Mañ anitas, the traditional song birthdays or for saints days. Usually, the Mariachi is strategically positioned on the street under the window of a festejada, yet the sound of its music is going to echo all throughout the whole neighborhood. Houston Mariachis also are typically employed for weddings, baptisms, funerals and/or patriotic holidays. It isn’t unusual for a deceased individual to leave a list of his or her favorite tunes to be sung beside his or her grave at burial.
Mariachi music was integrated into the most sacred ritual in the Roman Catholic Church: the Mass. The Misa Panamericana includes a Mariachi folk mass that is sung in Spanish, which utilizes traditional instruments to develop new, vivid interpretations of the traditional aspects of the service: Agnus Dei, Sanctus, Credo, Offertory, Alleluia, Gloria, Kyrie eleison, and Angelus.
The original Mariachi Mass was the idea of Father Juan Marco Leclerc, a Canadian priest, and was celebrated in Cuernavaca since the year 1966. Originally, it took place inside a little chapel, yet news of it spread so quickly, and the masses grew so massive, that the routine Sunday Mariachi Mass was moved to the Cathedral of Cuernavaca. Now, it frequently is performed all throughout Mexico, and inside many regions in the U.S. in which individuals of Mexican origin reside.
Mariachi en Houston TX is a group of talented, young, and formally trained musicians. It’s comprised of talented performers with a wide variety of repertoire. The group will feature Guitarron (bass), vihuela, guitars, violins, and trumpets. We conduct traditional Mexican favorites and more contemporary musical hits, as well as popular songs from America. We work hard to put on an excellent show. We’re certain you’ll be pleased with our performance!
The explanation which appears most frequently - particularly in travel brochures and on record jackets - is that it’s a variation of the French term marriage, which means marriage or wedding, and comes from the period in the 19th century as a Frenchman, Maximillian, was Mexico’s Emperor. According to the myth the Mariachi was named by French people after the celebration with which it was more typically associated. However, this explanation, always regarded as very doubtful by linguists, was recently thoroughly discredited as a use of the word was discovered that predated the period as the French arrived within Mexico.
However, currently the top scholarly opinion is that the term mariachi has native roots. A theory is that it derives from the term of the wood utilized to make the platform upon which the artists danced to the music of the musicians in the village. However, whatever its real source - and the fact might never be found with absolute certainty - the term these days has a single meaning which is very clear: Mariachi will mean one of the most enchanting and exciting musical ensembles discovered anywhere within the world.
Unique Composition of Mariachi Ensembles
Today, in a complete Mariachi group there are as many as 6 - 8 violins, 2 trumpets, and 1 guitar - all standard European instruments. Next, there’s a round-backed, high-itched guitar referred to as the vihuela that as strummed in a traditional way is going to give the Mariachi its common rhythmic vitality; deep-voiced guitar referred to as the guitarró n that will serve as the ensemble’s bass; and Mexican folk harp that generally doubles the base line, yet additionally ornaments the melody. As those 3 instruments have their origins on Europe, within their present form they’re stringently Mexican.
The sound which those instruments blend to make is unique. Similar to the sarape that oftentimes widely uses contrasting colors side to side – orange and green, blue and yellow - the Mariachi utilizes sharply contrasting sounds: those sweet sounds of the violins against a brilliance of trumpets, and deep sound of the guitarró n against high, crisp voice of the vihuela; and frequent shifting in between on-beat rhythm and syncopation. The sound that results includes the heart and soul of Mexico.
Mariachi during Special Occasions
Oftentimes, Mariachis assist in celebrating the fun moments within the lives of the people of Mexico. With the serenade (serenata), the Mariachi participates within the rite of courtship. Within a society in which the younger members of opposite sexes were kept apart, the serenade included a means of communication where a young male might send a message of love to the female that had captured his heart. In the majority of regions of Mexico, it isn’t considered unusual to be fully awakened by the sound of Las Mañ anitas, the traditional song birthdays or for saints days. Usually, the Mariachi is strategically positioned on the street under the window of a festejada, yet the sound of its music is going to echo all throughout the whole neighborhood. Houston Mariachis also are typically employed for weddings, baptisms, funerals and/or patriotic holidays. It isn’t unusual for a deceased individual to leave a list of his or her favorite tunes to be sung beside his or her grave at burial.
Mariachi music was integrated into the most sacred ritual in the Roman Catholic Church: the Mass. The Misa Panamericana includes a Mariachi folk mass that is sung in Spanish, which utilizes traditional instruments to develop new, vivid interpretations of the traditional aspects of the service: Agnus Dei, Sanctus, Credo, Offertory, Alleluia, Gloria, Kyrie eleison, and Angelus.
The original Mariachi Mass was the idea of Father Juan Marco Leclerc, a Canadian priest, and was celebrated in Cuernavaca since the year 1966. Originally, it took place inside a little chapel, yet news of it spread so quickly, and the masses grew so massive, that the routine Sunday Mariachi Mass was moved to the Cathedral of Cuernavaca. Now, it frequently is performed all throughout Mexico, and inside many regions in the U.S. in which individuals of Mexican origin reside.
Mariachi en Houston TX is a group of talented, young, and formally trained musicians. It’s comprised of talented performers with a wide variety of repertoire. The group will feature Guitarron (bass), vihuela, guitars, violins, and trumpets. We conduct traditional Mexican favorites and more contemporary musical hits, as well as popular songs from America. We work hard to put on an excellent show. We’re certain you’ll be pleased with our performance!