Learning About Music Genres (Part I- Hispanic Heritage)

Tejano Music Tejano music or Tex-Mex Music (Mexican-Texan music) is the name given to various forms of folk and popular music originating among the Hispanic populations of Central and Southern Texas. In recent years, artists such as the “Queen of Tejano” Selena Quintanilla, La Mafia, Jay Perez, and Mazz have transformed Tejano music from primarily a local, ethnic form of music to a genre with wide appeal in North America, Latin America, Europe, and beyond.

Selina, La Mafia, Jay Perez, and Mazz

Mariachi Music Mariachi is a genre of music that originated in Guadalajara, in the State of Jalisco, Mexico. It is an integration of stringed instruments highly influenced by the cultural impacts of the historical development of Western Mexico. Throughout the history of mariachi, musicians have experimented with brass, wind, and percussion instruments.

The mariachi ensemble generally consists of violins, trumpets, an acoustic guitar, a guitarrón (a large acoustic bass) and, on occasion, a harp. They dress in silver studded charro outfits with wide-brimmed hats. The original Mariachi were Mexican street musicians. Many mariachis are professional entertainers doing paid gigs in the mainstream entertainment industry. Mariachi music is also noted for the grito mexicano, a yell that is done at musical interludes within a song, either by the musicians and/or the listening audience. An example of this would be the mariachi players singing “AY YA YAY YA!”

Mariachi Band Instruments

violin, trumpet, guitar, guitarron, harp