Intro

Mariachi

The origin of the Mariachi has spawned different versions throughout history. Some pointed at the French word “mariage”, but further studies proved it could be traced in the Nahualt (an Indian language) term MARIA CE SON, found in a prayer to the Virgin of Pila and that was mispronounced as MARIA-SHE or MARIA-SHI.

In the early days, Mariachis didn’t have brass instruments, only guitars, violins, vihuelas and harps. Back in the 1930’s, trumpets broke in and in 1949 Pedro Iturralde became the first man ever to record a song using two trumpets.

One of the world’s best-known mariachi bands is the Mariachi Vargas de Tecatitlan, founded by Silvestre Vargas with a bunch of relatives and friends that he taught to read music scores. That was quite about-face because until then mariachi musicians used to play only by ear. He was the first to dress performers with “campirano” uniforms, pants and shirt made of blankets that eventually got a new lease on life with many of the greatest singers of the past century.

Those uniforms resembled the “charro” garment with long lines of buttons, spats and boots. Mariachis are linked to the state of Jalisco, though they now embrace others states as well. But one thin is certain: they all croon to the purest and hottest feelings of the soul, to sorrow and happiness, to love and broken hearts.


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