Mariachi is a musical genre that originated in 19th century Mexico. It is native to western Mexico and incorporates influences from indigenous Mexican music and music brought by Europeans and enslaved Africans. Mariachi bands typically include guitars, vihuelas, trumpets and violins. They wear traditional charro suits and perform at events like baptisms, weddings, and funerals. The most famous mariachi group is Mariachi Vargas, founded in 1898 in Jalisco, Mexico.

1. MARIACHI FACTS
Victoria Sanchez
IAS 108
Fall 2012

2. WHAT IS MARIACHI?
Mariachi is a musical genre originated in the 19th century
in Mexico
The earliest written version of the word Mariachi
dates back to 1852 in Rosamorada, Nayarit, carrying
the meaning of "fandango" or a popular festivity

3. ORIGIN
Hernan Cortes brought musicians with
him in 1519 to Mexico.
Over time, the music blended with the
native music. As well as the African music
of the imported slaves.

4. GEOGRAPHY
It is native to the region of
western Mexico that includes
what are today the states of
Jalisco, Nayarit, Zacatecas,
Aguascalientes, Guanajuato,
Michoacan, and Colima;
extending as far north as
Sinaloa and Durango and as
far south as Guerrero.
The exact birthplace of the
mariachi is unknown

5. OUTFIT
Wide Bow
Belt
Short Boots
Pants & Jacket
Sombrero

6. INSTRUMENTATION
Vihuela- A string instrument similar to a
guitar but smaller and with five strings.
Trumpet- The trumpets
were added to the Mariachi
bands in the 20th century.
Guitar- This is the modern
classical guitar.
Violin- Usually
several violins play
with a Mariachi.
Guitarrón- Literally meaning
"large guitar" in Spanish, it is an
accoustic bass with six strings.

7. MARIACHI SONGS
Their songs speak about:
-machismo
-love
-betrayal
-death
-politics
-animals
-revolutionary heroes

8. DANCE
Mariachi also includes
regional dances
 hard rhythmic heel
stomping
 straight backed
with gliding
 shuffling footwork
 Waltzes
 Polkas
 zapatiado

9. THE MARIACHI AT SPECIAL OCCASIONS
Funeral
Serenata
Mariachis are commonly hired for:
-baptisms
-weddings
-patriotic holidays
-funerals
-serenatas (serenade)
Mariachi music has even been Wedding
incorporated into the Roman
Catholic Church's most sacred ritual

10. Mariachi Vargas
The most important group in
the history of mariachi music is
Mariachi Vargas.
It founded in 1898 by Gaspar
Vargas in Tecalitlán, Jalisco.
In the 1930s, its leadership was
taken over by his son, Silvestre
Vargas, considered the greatest
mariachi organizer and
visionary of all time.

11. SUMMARY
 Mariachi is a musical genre originated in the 19th century in Mexico
 It is native to the region of western Mexico extending as far
north as Sinaloa and Durango and as far south as Guerrero.
 Mariachis wear the suit of the horseman or
traje de charro.
 Instrumentation consists of a vihuela, guitar,
guitarrón, trumpet, & violin.
 All members may sing
 Mariachis include regional dances
 Mariachis are commonly hired for baptisms,
weddings, patriotic holidays, and even funerals
 The most important group in the history of
 mariachi music is Mariachi Vargas.

12. •
CREDITS
http://www.sobrino.net/mer/entry_on_the_word_mariachi.htm
• http://whatismariachi.com/
• http://www.ehow.com/facts_5791078_mariachi_.html
• http://www.mariachi.org/history.html
• http://www.wmich.edu/mus-gened/mus150/WorldMusic_files/image008.png
• http://www.musicwithease.com/violin-and-bow-10.gif
• http://www2.hawaii.edu/~palika/images/trumpetmed.jpg
• http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31VAOmh2mML._SL500_AA300_.jpg
• http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Guitar_1.jpg/127px-Guitar_1.jpg
• http://di1-4.shoppingshadow.com/images/pi/17/92/22/94980838-260x260-0-
0_Lucida+Lucida+Traditional+Mexican+Style+Vihuela+W+.jpg
• http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2066/2211500812_219469fa4f.jpg
• http://bodasblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Serenata.jpg
• http://camelsnose.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/mariachi-side-view.gif?w=780
• http://cache4.asset-cache.net/gc/115786557-mariachi-guitars-accompany-a-funeral-
gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=opcyceS8hiJ9DZ7f3dg%2BYf92X2VaaWWa%2BlUQADzytxYS3BZePOLqmxo3QOE1V5%2B
t
• http://cache4.asset-cache.net/gc/115786557-mariachi-guitars-accompany-a-funeral-
gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=opcyceS8hiJ9DZ7f3dg%2BYf92X2VaaWWa%2BlUQADzytxYS3BZePOLqmxo3QOE1V5%2B
t
• http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_00sjjGgyzok/SwHRc0hsM4I/AAAAAAAAEGE/1RhxshP0RXI/s1600/Mariachi+Vargas_then.jpg
• http://imagecache.artistrising.com/artwork/lrg//0/74/NOVD000A.jpg
• http://www.elmariachi.ca/images/history-image3.jpg
• http://tucsoncitizen.com/morgue/2007/04/26/49146-fiesta-de-garibaldi-schedule/
• http://www.clowns4kids.com/images/mariachi-band.jpg
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS-4jE4xhq8
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMfxWqA_0jE