For guitarists seeking to broaden their musical palette, the captivating world of mariachi offers a vibrant and enriching avenue. Much like bluegrass, mariachi music is deeply characterized by its distinctive instrumentation. While the broader definition of bluegrass might encompass various rural string band sounds, its core essence typically features guitar, mandolin, fiddle, Dobro, and upright bass. Similarly, a traditional mariachi ensemble is specifically composed of violin, trumpet, vihuela, guitarrón, and occasionally guitar, harp, and flute. For guitar players, several of these mariachi instruments present an accessible entry point into this passionate musical style.
Many modern iterations of these instruments incorporate guitar-like features absent in their traditional counterparts. These enhancements include truss rods for neck adjustment, inlaid frets replacing traditional tie-on nylon frets, and the addition of strap buttons on the neck heel and endpin. This last innovation is particularly beneficial for students, as it addresses the traditional strap system which, by hooking into the soundhole and wrapping under the instrument, requires constant player stabilization.
However, mastering these instruments extends beyond mere strumming patterns and techniques. At its heart, mariachi music embodies collective artistry, prioritizing ensemble unity over individual virtuosity. As the late Nati Cano, revered leader and vihuela player of the Grammy-winning Mariachi los Camperos, eloquently stated, “Being a good musician doesn’t do it. If you don’t sing and play, you’re not a complete mariachi. When we sing mariachi, we become part of the group, ‘we’ become ‘one.’” This spirit of unity and shared musical expression is central to the soul of Guitar Mariachi.
Exploring the Mexican Vihuela
The Mexican vihuela, with its compact body reminiscent of a miniature guitarrón and its high-pitched tuning, delivers a crisp and immediate attack, ideally suited for the rapid triplet strums characteristic of mariachi music. Pronounced vee-whey-lah, the vihuela’s tuning (A D G B E) will allow guitarists to utilize familiar chord shapes. However, the tuning itself can initially be perplexing, as the lower three strings are tuned an octave higher than those of a standard guitar. Combined with the vihuela’s resonant, turtle-shell-shaped back, this unique tuning creates a distinctive sonic profile, positioned somewhere between the bright chime of a ukulele and the warmer tones of a nylon-string guitar. The vihuela is typically strummed using fingernails, and occasionally employing a fingerpick on the index finger for added projection and articulation.
Delving into the Guitarrón
The guitarrón, undoubtedly the most visually striking member of the mariachi string family, serves as the bass voice of the ensemble. This large, six-stringed instrument is played with its substantial body held at an upward angle, a posture facilitated by its deep, arched back. The playing technique involves using the thumb and index finger of the picking hand to pluck the strings directly away from the fretless fingerboard, rather than across it as with a guitar. The guitarrón (gee-tar-RHON), with a rolling ‘r’ pronunciation, often employs octave pairings across its six strings (three steel and three nylon). This technique is used to emphasize the downbeat of each measure while also crafting melodic walking bass lines to connect chord roots. A distinctive guitarrónista technique also includes using the fretting hand’s thumb to finger notes on the neck.
A mariachi musician skillfully playing the guitarrón, showcasing its large size and unique playing posture.
Discovering the Bajo Quinto
While not strictly classified as a mariachi instrument, the five-string, double-course bajo quinto (literally “fifth bass”) stands as a powerful guitar in its own right, forming the rhythmic and harmonic core of norteño and Tex-Mex conjunto music. Often elaborately decorated with large pickguards and rope-style binding, the bajo quinto (bah-ho keen-toe) is a modern evolution of the bajo sexto. It omits the lower E-string pair of the bajo sexto, resulting in a 10-string configuration tuned aA dD GG CC FF (in perfect fourths). This tuning allows the bajo quinto to handle both rhythmic and melodic responsibilities, making it versatile beyond the Tejano music of legends like Lydia Mendoza or Santiago Jimenez. Its robust sound and resonant power make it comparable to a baritone 12-string guitar, suitable for any musical context where a deep, commanding presence is desired. Adapting to the bajo quinto’s wider neck and altered tuning may require adjustments to standard guitar chord shapes, but the instrument’s rich and powerful voice makes the effort exceptionally rewarding.
Exploring the Charismatic Requinto Guitar
The requinto guitar, tuned like a standard guitar with a capo placed at the fifth fret, frequently serves to interweave melodic passages between vocal phrases and to perform instrumental solos within mariachi music. Beyond its mariachi context, the requinto (ray-keen-toe) offers any guitarist an avenue to explore new sonic territories. Its higher tuning imparts a bright and lively character to its sound, making it an excellent addition to ensembles that already feature a standard guitar but seek a distinctive, sweeter tonal layer. The requinto’s smaller size and higher pitch make it particularly well-suited for intricate melodic work and for adding a sparkling upper register to the mariachi soundscape.
requintoA musician playing the requinto guitar, highlighting its smaller size and bright tonal qualities.
In conclusion, the world of guitar mariachi instruments offers guitarists a fascinating and sonically rich realm to explore. From the rhythmic drive of the vihuela and guitarrón to the melodic versatility of the bajo quinto and requinto, these instruments are integral to the vibrant and soulful sound of mariachi music. By venturing into this musical landscape, guitarists can not only expand their instrumental skills but also deepen their appreciation for the collaborative and expressive spirit at the heart of mariachi.
