Music of the Mexican Mariachi
Ahh, mariachi . The wonderful tradition of finely-dressed men playing string and brass with a style that can always be tied back to Mexico. Where did this tradition come from? What are the specifics of the genre? And why are mariachi bands almost always comic relief in most modern films? I can only offer answers to most of these questions, and it'll all start with the origins of the genre, from it's name, to it's outfits, to it's form. A typical mariachi band's appearance. First of all, what is mariachi ? Well, mariachi is a style of Mexican music characterized by the style of the musicians performing it, and the name refers to the type of ensemble themselves. The typical mariachi group is an ensemble of about 4-6 musicians, with string and brass instruments (typically guitars, trumpets, and violins) dressed in fancy clothes with the iconic sombrero atop their head. The music itself is recognizable by it's happy tone and feel-good energy! ...
