The bright sounds of trumpets ring out, punctuating the sweet melodies of the violins. The guitarist steps forward and begins belting out the lyrics to a son, or traditional Mexican folksong. Meanwhile, a guitarron—a huge bass guitar—provides a steady rhythm, accented by the much smaller five-string vihuela. This is mariachi music!
Mariachi music originated hundreds of years ago in colonial Mexico. The earliest groups consisted of string instruments such as violins, guitars, and a harp. These groups would provide entertainment solely for the local community. Different styles of the music, and the dance that accompanied it, developed in different regions of the country.
Modern mariachi music first appeared in western Mexico in the middle of