Post on 14-Dec-2015
Bellwork: Define Terms
Re-entrant tuning: the strings are not tuned from lowest to highest.
Nahuatl-central Mexican native language and tribe, pronounced (nahwat), which preceded the Spanish language.
Quetzalcoatl: literally, the Feathered Serpent, one of the major deities of the ancient Mexican pantheon.
Tlaloc: the Aztec god of rain fertility and water.
AnnouncementsTest Thursday May 22nd on Mexico.
Next week we will study about Panama on Tuesday and review for the final exam on Thursday.
OutcomesScholars Will:
Grammar: Learn basic facts about Mexico.
Logic: Play various rhythmic patterns common in Mariachi and Jarocha music.
Three basic phrases in the Nahuatl languageQuen Motoca?
What is your name?
Notoca “Melinda”
My name is Melinda
Cualica
Very Good
Tlaloc: How to recognize him
Feather Headdress
Cape
Jade necklace
Dots on his face
Jaguar teeth
Goggles on his eyes
Active Listening #3Cielito Lindo
Does the violin play with the vocal line or does it answer in response to it?
Does the trumpet play with the vocal line or does it answer in response to it?
Can you identify the two guitars which strum the chordal accompaniment?
Just the facts #3Cielito LindoAlthough the word "cielo" means sky, it is also
a term of endearment comparable to sweetheart or honey.
The poetic lyrics correspond to the Spain Castilian classical stanza known as "seguidilla," i.e. seven lines of alternating heptasyllabic (7) and pentasyllabic (5) verses.
Tomen Nota In Mariachi, the trumpet plays mellifluous
countermelodies to the vocal line and uses pronounced vibrato.
Trumpeter Miguel Martinez invented trumpet styles which were copied, including the use of two trumpets usually harmonizing in 3rds or 6ths.
The tightly interlocking pattern of the vihuela, guitar and guittaron are the armonias (harmony).
Mariachi wear a charro costume that includes a hat, implements of horse handling and botonadura or silver buttons.
Mariachi Apados: NicknamesLa Escoba—the broom, a tall man
El cara de leon—the lion face
El Loco= the crazy man
La hormiga=the ant
El cocoon=the turkey
La vaca=a long cow-like face
Jitomata=tomato, red-faced
Typical Mariachi GigsPlaying for tourists
Chambas (casual engagements)
“Al talon”-on foot, walking around tables
Active Listening #5EstrellitaList four adjectives which describe the mood of
this piece:
How does the melodic line mirror the attributes of a star?
Describe the style of classical violin playing. How does it compare to the mariachi style violin sound?
Just the facts #5EstrellitaManuel Ponce’s compositional style is a
combination of impressionism and nationalism.
He spent many years in Paris, where he studied with Paul Dukas, best known for his work “The Sorcerers’ Apprentice”.
Active Listening #6TLEN HUICANI - El Cascabel
Video Identify the instruments of Jarocha:
Which instrument dominates the introduction?
How is this jarocha different than “La Bamba”?
Name at least three differences.
Just the facts #6TLEN HUICANI - El Cascabel Video
This is the most popular son in a minor key.
The title means “Little Bell”.
CFU: The Sesquialtera Rhythm Count: 123456 123456
This time clap on beats 1 and 4
123456
Next, clap on beats 1, 3 and 5
123456
In the first example, we are feeling the beat in 6/8 with two groups of three notes per measure. Play Tortuga.
In the second example, the measure is divided into three groups of two.
In a time signature, the note on top tells us how many beats per measure and the note on the bottom tells us what type of note.
Thinking of the bottom note as a fraction is quite helpful.
Tomen NotaMarimba music is common in southern Mexican
states.
In northern Mexico the waltz and polka are typical song forms.
Near the end of the son jarocho, the guitars stop and there is a harp solo, then the requinto will join in.
There was a musical practice from Spain of combining different sizes of instruments. For example, a small instrument is called the mosquito. This practice was duplicated in the jarocho ensembles.
In son jarocho, there is an alternation of singers between the pregonero (leader) and the coro (chorus).
CFU: Playing common Mexican rhythms on guitarEx. 1 Page 49
Using two guitars we will recreate the following rhythms:
Clap First, then imitate a strumming pattern
Ex. 2 Page 50
Ex. 3 Page 56
Clips of musical performances from early Mexican cinema“Santa”-1931
Starring Lupita Tovar
The first appearance of Mariachi
in Cinema.
Note the absence of
trumpet in this earlier mariachi style.