Mariachi

Easter will be one of the most profitable times of the year for both professional mariachis and amateur minstrels.

Tourists often confuse professional mariachis with the musicians and singers who roam from one restaurant to another hoping to make a few pesos. Over the Easter holidays, we will see many of these entertainers roaming the beach and restaurants of Guayabitos. They are not true mariachis.






The more affluent Mexicans will hire authentic mariachis to perform for them over the holidays.

The performer, the musical style, and the musical ensemble are called mariachi.

Initially mariachi music was strictly instrumental, but it has come to include vocal. Usually a mariachi consists of at least two violins, two trumpets, one Spanish guitar, one vihuela (a high-pitched, five-string guitar) and one guitarron (a small-scaled acoustic bass), but sometimes features more than twenty musicians.

The majority of mariachis are men, but occasionally you will see women mariachis.
Beautifully dressed women dancers will often accompany the mariachi during performances.







Mariachi outfits are much the same as those of the Charro. They consist of a waist-length jacket and tightly fitted wool pants which open slightly at the ankle to fit over a short riding boot. Both pants and jacket are often ornamented with embroidery, intricately cut leather designs, or silver buttons in a variety of shapes. These clothes are usually accessorized with a large bow-tie, a wide belt and a large sombrero.

Although mariachis are most often employed to play at political events, holidays and celebrations such as weddings, funerals, and birthdays, they are sometimes hired to serenade women.