Mexico has many different types and regional variations of music, as well as Mexican rock, pop, punk, post-rock, banda, ranchero, and marching music (for parades), to name a few. I am always tickled about how Mexicans use their music for just about everything – it is very hard to sit anywhere in Mexico for an hour or so and not hear music playing somewhere nearby. Usually, it’s a private party, but it could be a parade, a celebration of the neighborhood’s patron saint, workmen with a loudspeaker on, or even a car driving by.
Big speakers are popular in Mexico. They are sold by the thousands in department stores, electronics stores, dollar stores, street corner pop-up markets, garage sales, and sidewalk stalls – you name it, every household has some kind of big speaker, sometimes two.
One form of music that I would normally find a little loud and jarring if it is stand-alone is Mexican party music. But it is great in context One of the best contexts is as music used in the Charreada –often called the Mexican rodeo, but different from American or Canadian rodeos. Sometimes the music is mariachi, which is a wonderful art form. Other times it is party music – often tuba-led, very loud, fast, and noisy, great for dancing, lots of percussion, and often atonal melodic elements. Sometimes it is Mexican classical music, heaving on woodwinds.
I went to the Gran Charreada Sunday afternoon which was accompanied, first by recorded Mexican party music, and then later by Mexican classical, and finally by a local live band playing an even faster ad louder version.
The most interesting event was the Escaramuza Infantile – the complex horse drills performed by girls in full traditional skirts while riding sidesaddle. The girls at the Gran Charreada had just “graduated” – received their official sombreros and were showing off their skills, with a music accompaniment. The full Escaramuza with experienced women riders took place a little later, also with music.
It was a great afternoon, watching the skilled horsewomen and men (bull riding and roping, among the men’s events). The music was not the feature, but it added to the ambiance. A little later we dropped in on Ellizé and her trio at Baja Norte and soaked in her great voice. The next musical stop was La Cochera Cultural for the penetrating emotional music of Flamenco at a dance performance that evening. All in all, a good day for music and, horses and dance. Check out the videos for this unusual use of Mexican party music, and a little Flamenco.
Patrick O’Heffernan
