Conjunto Music of the Southwester Border

Musical Characteristics Conjunto music is dance music. The dances include two-steps, polkas, waltzes and cumbias It is sung in Spanish The themes are often about love. Includes rancheros, and corridos

Instrumentation The bass or low notes are played with a bass guitar or tuba The accordion plays the melody Drums keep the beat so that people can dance to the music They use guitars and sometimes the bajo sexto, a traditional Mexican stringed instrument

History, Culture and Origin Conjunto music, sometimes called Tex- Mex originated in the border towns of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. It was first performed in cantinas and at parties Early conjunto music was instruments music with not singing.

Pioneers Lydia Mendoza, the first lady of Tejano: Sang traditional Spanish And Mexican folk songs Valerio Longoria, first conjunto accordion player to add drums and sing. First to play the cumbia and other Latin styles to conjunto music

Current Performers Texas Tornados Los Tigres del Norte

References Wikipedia, Los Tigres del Norte, retrieved at Los_Tigres_del_Norte The Roots of Tejano Music, retrieved at rhoolie2/raices.html