Miami, the Gateway to the Americas, is a city of many cultures. Latin American culture dominates with a large part of the population originally hailing from countries like Cuba, Colombia, the Dmonican Republic, Nicaragua and Honduras. These communities brought with them their music, including Cuban conga and rumba, Colombian cumbia and Dominican merengue. Adding to this salsa is a more recent addition in the form of Mexican mariachis in Miami.
Think of the music of Mexico and you'll probably think of mariachi first and foremost. This folk music style is as much part of Mexican identity as the images of the Virgin of Guadalupe or La Katrina, the hat-wearing skeleton. The music first developed sometime in the nineteenth century, in Jalisco and surrounding states. By the first decades of the twentieth century the style had become extremely popular, especially with the help of radio and movies.
Today it's almost impossible to attend any kind of Mexican-themed event without the presence of a group of musicians in charro suits. Whether it's a Cinco de Mayo celebration or a wedding, there will be a band serenading the guests. Good Mexican restaurants all over the world hire these musicians to create an authentic sound to complement the tamales, mole, quesadillas and of course Jalisco's other famous export, tequila.
The sound of mariachi music is created mainly by stringed instruments. Guitars are essential and there will be at least one in a group. The round-backed vihuela is a type of guitar that produces a high-pitched sound and adds rhythm. Bass comes from the guitarron, which looks like a guitar made for giants.
Guitars are not the only stringed instruments to feature. Violins are essential in creating the melody and a group will have several violins, as much as eight in some cases. A harp may feature too, but is not essential. Trumpets are important, though, adding to the melody. Some bands also feature an accordion. When it comes to the vocals, all the band members sing along for the chorus while they take turns to sing the lead vocals.
Traditionally only men played in the bands. However, in recent years it has become more accepted to include female musicians too. There are now even a growing number of all-female bands, especially in the United States.
The charro suit is essential to the distinctive look of a mariachi musician. Charros are in fact horsemen from the Jalisco region, but the suit became linked with the music during the golden age of 'comedia ranchera', Mexican Westerns, during the 1930s and 1940s. A traditional charro suit consists of pants, jacket and vest. It is usually black and elaborately decorated with silver buttons and embroidery. A soft tie, boots and a sombrero, often elaborately decorated too, complete the outfit.
There is an ever-increasing number of mariachis in Miami. They cater to the growing population of Mexican descent, but you can hire their services even if you don't have a drop of Mexican blood. Tunes like 'Cielito Lindo' and the ever-popular 'La Cucaracha' are universally recognizable and standard in a mariachi repertoire, so your guests will be able to enjoy the music even if their Spanish is limited to words like 'tortilla' and 'burrito'. All you need to add to the mix is the tequila.
Think of the music of Mexico and you'll probably think of mariachi first and foremost. This folk music style is as much part of Mexican identity as the images of the Virgin of Guadalupe or La Katrina, the hat-wearing skeleton. The music first developed sometime in the nineteenth century, in Jalisco and surrounding states. By the first decades of the twentieth century the style had become extremely popular, especially with the help of radio and movies.
Today it's almost impossible to attend any kind of Mexican-themed event without the presence of a group of musicians in charro suits. Whether it's a Cinco de Mayo celebration or a wedding, there will be a band serenading the guests. Good Mexican restaurants all over the world hire these musicians to create an authentic sound to complement the tamales, mole, quesadillas and of course Jalisco's other famous export, tequila.
The sound of mariachi music is created mainly by stringed instruments. Guitars are essential and there will be at least one in a group. The round-backed vihuela is a type of guitar that produces a high-pitched sound and adds rhythm. Bass comes from the guitarron, which looks like a guitar made for giants.
Guitars are not the only stringed instruments to feature. Violins are essential in creating the melody and a group will have several violins, as much as eight in some cases. A harp may feature too, but is not essential. Trumpets are important, though, adding to the melody. Some bands also feature an accordion. When it comes to the vocals, all the band members sing along for the chorus while they take turns to sing the lead vocals.
Traditionally only men played in the bands. However, in recent years it has become more accepted to include female musicians too. There are now even a growing number of all-female bands, especially in the United States.
The charro suit is essential to the distinctive look of a mariachi musician. Charros are in fact horsemen from the Jalisco region, but the suit became linked with the music during the golden age of 'comedia ranchera', Mexican Westerns, during the 1930s and 1940s. A traditional charro suit consists of pants, jacket and vest. It is usually black and elaborately decorated with silver buttons and embroidery. A soft tie, boots and a sombrero, often elaborately decorated too, complete the outfit.
There is an ever-increasing number of mariachis in Miami. They cater to the growing population of Mexican descent, but you can hire their services even if you don't have a drop of Mexican blood. Tunes like 'Cielito Lindo' and the ever-popular 'La Cucaracha' are universally recognizable and standard in a mariachi repertoire, so your guests will be able to enjoy the music even if their Spanish is limited to words like 'tortilla' and 'burrito'. All you need to add to the mix is the tequila.
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The homepage at www.mexicalimariachi.com offers info on mariachis in Miami that people require for their entertainment needs. For more details check out http://www.mexicalimariachi.com now.
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