All About Mexican Instruments

Music is the lifeblood of cultures, and Mexican culture is no different. And with Pixar’s Coco, interest in Mexican instruments and music may be greater than ever before. In addition to being a wonderful movie, it successfully spotlighted several musical styles: mariachi, trio music, and banda music.

And if you want to read a great interview where the music is discussed, look no further than this interview with screenwriter/co-director Adrian Molina and film composer Germaine Franco.


Guitars

Guitarra de Golpe

The guitarra de golpe has five nylon strings in five courses, and it’s traditional shape is designed to look like an owl.

Guitarra Panzona

Unlike the guitarra de golpe, the guitarra panzona has six strings and provides a tubby sounding rhythm.

Guitarra Séptima

The guitarra septima more than doubles the number of strings on the guitarra de golpe and guitarra panzona.

Guitarrón Mexicano

The guitarron mexicano is what many people envision when they think mexican guitar. It is a deep-bodied instrument, and often used in mariachi groups. One of the more interesting facts is that its great size/volume provide tremendous amplification sufficient for small venues.

Other String Instruments

Requinto jarocho

The requinto jarocho, often used in conjunto jarocho ensembles, is shaped like a guitar with a small body. The entire instrument is made from a single piece of wood, and the strings are generally made from nylon.

Harps

Arpa Jarocha

The arpa jarocha is a stringed instrument (wooden harp, to be precise) customarily played while standing, though that was not always the case: when it was first introduced to Mexico in the 16th century, it was smaller than its modern day version and played while sitting.

The arpa jorcha is unique among Mexican harps in that its sound holes are located on the soundboard’s back, not front.

Jarana

The jarana is a guitar-like string instrument from Mexico, with different versions depending on location:

  • jarana huasteca: found in the Huasteca region of Mexico
  • jarana jarocha: found in the Veracruz region of Mexico

Enneg

The enneg is a string instrument native to two Mexican tribes: Seri and Konkaak. The single-string instrument has a rectangular body carved from a wooden block. Musicians play the instrument using a bow.

Jarana

The jarana is a guitar-like string instrument from Mexico, with different versions depending on location:

  • jarana huasteca: found in the Huasteca region of Mexico
  • jarana jarocha: found in the Veracruz region of Mexico

Leona

Percussion

Redoba

Redobas are wooden blocks connected to the musician’s belt and hit with sticks.

Ayoyotes

Ayotoes are a percussion instrument made of shells from the ayoyote or chachayote tree. They are played by attaching to the ankles or wrists of the musician, and they are typically used while dancing (e.g., the concheros dance).

Cajon de Tapeo

The cajon de Tapeo (also known as the Mexican cajon or tapeador) is a wooden box drum played by hitting the top of the drum with a wooden block and bare hand.

Cantaro

The cantaro is a clay pot, which is played by striking its mouth or outer surface, each of which produce different effects. Varying water levels in the pot will create different pitches.

Woodwinds

Chirimia

Chirimias, found in various parts of Latin America, are similar to oboes. The exact construction (e.g., size and location of holes) differs based on region, but all chirimias are double reed instruments.

Quijada

Quijada is another name for an instrument made from the jawbone of a donkey or horse. In Mexico, the quijada is used in son jarocho and “Costa Chica” ensembles.

About Wesley Lyles 117 Articles
Wesley is a jack of all trades hobbyist. Though much of his spare time is spent playing board games (especially solo card games like Legendary), Hearthstone, Rocket League, and MLB The Show.e He also enjoys most sports, but pays way too much attention to baseball and football.

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