Mariachi as a Built Bridge Among Latin American Cultures
Ethnicity of Musicians:
During our time interviewing some of these Mariachis, it was noted that a certain amount of them were from countries other than Mexico. Amid the most predominant countries stood El Salvador and Honduras.
First involvements in the music:
Most of the interviewees shared that they already had family members as musicians in a Mariachi group, mostly uncles and fathers who invested time in learning the skills to play the guitar and violin in music schools. These individuals served as some of the musicians' primary inspiration in learning to play the same instruments and eventually become part of mariachi groups.
Here is a piece of an interview Damian did with a local mariachi musician in the plaza whom we will refer to as Don Eleno, who signed a consent form where he gave permission to be interviewed and recorded. Here is the English version of the consent form for those who do not speak Spanish. He is recollecting how he first became involved in mariachi music.
"I have uncles that played, not precisely mariachi, but guitar and liked to sing. So then I became involved with them." -Don Eleno
Difference in atmosphere and presentation in previous environments other than Mariachi plaza:
Using some of the vocabulary our interviewees used, Mariachi plaza is a place that is "prettier," more "interactive," and more "known" than other places these musicians have performed at before. This place and space, therefore, is one that is more beneficial for a better performance and presentation of the Mariachi culture.
Authenticity of the musicians expertise:
It is difficult to believe that the performances of some mariachis in this plaza are not completely authentic. As how some of the interviewees explained, some of the newer mariachis do not demonstrate capacities to perform authentic mariachi music as those who have been in the plaza for a longer time. Those who were educated since a young age surpass the musical abilities of new age mariachi musicians. The legacy and reputation of the plaza has been affected by these newer musicians who are not completely capable of playing traditional music as older mariachis have learned. New mariachi groups do not completely wear the entire charro suit, have cheapened their quality in music, and use instruments such as the electric keyboard and electric guitar. In response to this, however, the mariachis continue to present themselves as they always have, with their traditional mariachi uniforms carrying their instruments and beautifully exposing their talents to the drivers passing by the streets and the public passing by the plaza.
Women Mariachi Groups
Recently there has been a wave of female mariachi groups giving male mariachi groups a run for their money. The genre of mariachi is typically known for being directed only to males. However, Latina women nowadays have been appearing more and more and making people question what authentic mariachi music is. Usually when a woman is in a mariachi group she was regulated to dancing, and if she played an instrument it would have small strings. Mariachi is breaking the barriers of sexism and allowing women to make a name for themselves in a world dominated by males. When mariachi music first started, there were hardly any women playing in these groups (mainly because women did not know how to play instruments).
The video below shows a group of women known as Mariachi Las Colibri reversing the roles of men and women in mariachi music, where the men are dancing and the women performing.
During our time interviewing some of these Mariachis, it was noted that a certain amount of them were from countries other than Mexico. Amid the most predominant countries stood El Salvador and Honduras.
First involvements in the music:
Most of the interviewees shared that they already had family members as musicians in a Mariachi group, mostly uncles and fathers who invested time in learning the skills to play the guitar and violin in music schools. These individuals served as some of the musicians' primary inspiration in learning to play the same instruments and eventually become part of mariachi groups.
Here is a piece of an interview Damian did with a local mariachi musician in the plaza whom we will refer to as Don Eleno, who signed a consent form where he gave permission to be interviewed and recorded. Here is the English version of the consent form for those who do not speak Spanish. He is recollecting how he first became involved in mariachi music.
"I have uncles that played, not precisely mariachi, but guitar and liked to sing. So then I became involved with them." -Don Eleno
Difference in atmosphere and presentation in previous environments other than Mariachi plaza:
Using some of the vocabulary our interviewees used, Mariachi plaza is a place that is "prettier," more "interactive," and more "known" than other places these musicians have performed at before. This place and space, therefore, is one that is more beneficial for a better performance and presentation of the Mariachi culture.
Authenticity of the musicians expertise:
It is difficult to believe that the performances of some mariachis in this plaza are not completely authentic. As how some of the interviewees explained, some of the newer mariachis do not demonstrate capacities to perform authentic mariachi music as those who have been in the plaza for a longer time. Those who were educated since a young age surpass the musical abilities of new age mariachi musicians. The legacy and reputation of the plaza has been affected by these newer musicians who are not completely capable of playing traditional music as older mariachis have learned. New mariachi groups do not completely wear the entire charro suit, have cheapened their quality in music, and use instruments such as the electric keyboard and electric guitar. In response to this, however, the mariachis continue to present themselves as they always have, with their traditional mariachi uniforms carrying their instruments and beautifully exposing their talents to the drivers passing by the streets and the public passing by the plaza.
Women Mariachi Groups
Recently there has been a wave of female mariachi groups giving male mariachi groups a run for their money. The genre of mariachi is typically known for being directed only to males. However, Latina women nowadays have been appearing more and more and making people question what authentic mariachi music is. Usually when a woman is in a mariachi group she was regulated to dancing, and if she played an instrument it would have small strings. Mariachi is breaking the barriers of sexism and allowing women to make a name for themselves in a world dominated by males. When mariachi music first started, there were hardly any women playing in these groups (mainly because women did not know how to play instruments).
The video below shows a group of women known as Mariachi Las Colibri reversing the roles of men and women in mariachi music, where the men are dancing and the women performing.
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