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.
Mariachi is probably Mexico's most famous musical export. This style of folk music originated in the central and western parts of Mexico such as Jalisco state during the nineteenth century, but became especially popular during the early twentieth century. With a little help from radio and film, it became an integral part of Mexican identity.
Mariachis play at many different types of event, from birthday parties and weddings to Cinco de Mayo celebrations. They can even play at funerals or during church services. Dine at any authentic Mexican restaurant and sooner or later a group will come by to serenade you while you sip on that other export from Jalisco, tequila.
Strings make up the biggest part of a mariachi band's instrumental arsenal. The high-pitched guitar known as the vihuela, with its rounded back, provides much of the rhythm. A couple of other guitars may be added too. An essential is the guitarron for its bass sound. This instrument resembles a guitar in looks but is closer to a cello or double bass in size.
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.
Miami's growing Mexican community has created a greater demand for charro-suit-wearing musicians. Even if you're not of Mexican descent, you can hire mariachis in Miami to add some Mexican flavor to your birthday celebration or any other type of fiesta. You don't have to be able to speak Spanish to enjoy the music either. Maybe you won't know the words, but you'll certainly know the melodies of Mexican classics like 'Cielito Lindo' and 'La Cucaracha'.
Mariachi is probably Mexico's most famous musical export. This style of folk music originated in the central and western parts of Mexico such as Jalisco state during the nineteenth century, but became especially popular during the early twentieth century. With a little help from radio and film, it became an integral part of Mexican identity.
Mariachis play at many different types of event, from birthday parties and weddings to Cinco de Mayo celebrations. They can even play at funerals or during church services. Dine at any authentic Mexican restaurant and sooner or later a group will come by to serenade you while you sip on that other export from Jalisco, tequila.
Strings make up the biggest part of a mariachi band's instrumental arsenal. The high-pitched guitar known as the vihuela, with its rounded back, provides much of the rhythm. A couple of other guitars may be added too. An essential is the guitarron for its bass sound. This instrument resembles a guitar in looks but is closer to a cello or double bass in size.
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.
Miami's growing Mexican community has created a greater demand for charro-suit-wearing musicians. Even if you're not of Mexican descent, you can hire mariachis in Miami to add some Mexican flavor to your birthday celebration or any other type of fiesta. You don't have to be able to speak Spanish to enjoy the music either. Maybe you won't know the words, but you'll certainly know the melodies of Mexican classics like 'Cielito Lindo' and 'La Cucaracha'.
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