Mariachi

Mariachi is a Mexican (street) orchestra consisting of 2 violins, 2 trumpets, guitar or vihuela, guitarron and singers. The name is used for both the type of orchestra and the style of music they produce. Mariachi music originated from picardy folk ensembles in the mid-19th century. Traditional mariachi consists of string and violin ensembles with several traditional Mexican instruments and a guitarresca performance style. Around the 1930s, mariachi underwent a leap in evolution, adopting winds and radically changing sound structures. Both traditional and modern styles of Mariachi are performed in Mexico in modern times and are considered central to Mexican identity.