Page 3 - Los Cabos - Lands End

talk travel MAGAZINE

ISSUE 7 • VOLUME 9 • TABLE OF CONTENTS

Features

3. The Music of Mexico

4. Planning a Wedding in Los Cabos

6. Los Cabos - A Window to Paradise

12. Berliner Dom

15. Magical South Germany Rail Tour

16. Cambodia -
One of World’s Most Unique Countries

18. What’s Cooking in Mexico

19. Modern Mexican Wine

THE MUSIC OF MEXICO

Mexican music has its roots in the Indian flute, huehuetl (drum) and
conch shell. The Spaniards brought their musicians with them as the
Indian music proved inadequate for bullfights.
Bullfighting and bullfight music originates in Pharanoic Egypt
and was introduced into Spain by the Moors. Mexico’s first bull-
fight took place in Mexico City in 1526 (to honor Cortes upon his
return from a Honduran expedition) and the first bullfight music
was heard in the new world.
French music impinged itself on the Mexican scene during the French
intervention (when Emperor Maximilian and Empress Carlota reigned
supreme) from 1862-1867...and the Mexican mariachi was born.
All mariachi say that Jalisco was the birthplace from whence the
name is derived. The word itself seems to be a variation of the French
word mariage for which music was provided...mostly waltzes, pol-
kas, and the instruments were the harp, violin, and guitar.
The French mariage (marriage) evolved into “mariachi”, as this
type of mexican musician is commonly known to this day, and
they play all kinds of music. The most popular combination of
instruments is two violins, a harp, guitarrón (bass guitar), and
guitarra de golpe, a five-string instrument that is tuned differ-
ently from the others.
Musicians say that it is not easy to be a mariachi. Only those who
have the proper heritage find it a good life...not everyone can do
it - MARIACHI MUSIC MUST COME FROM THE HEART.

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