El son de "El cuervo": The transformation of armonía practice in the mariachi tradition

Author

Adolfo Estrada Jr., The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

8-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Music (MM)

Department

Ethnomusicology

First Advisor

Dr. Andrés R. Amado Pineda

Second Advisor

Dr. Susan Hurley-Glowa

Third Advisor

Dr. Dahlia Guerra

Abstract

In mariachi scholarship to date, armonía practices are often overlooked. The armonía instruments provide essential rhythmic and harmonic support, yet their specific practices are assumed to be invariable. Close analysis suggests a more complex story. This work provides an analysis of the armonía within the son jalisciense song form in particular, by comparing several performances of the popular son jalisciense song “El Cuervo ” (The Crow). Analysis reveals that the armonía underwent a homogenization process before arriving at present-day practices, and I argue that the 1965 Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán recording is the point of homogenization on which future practice is based. Earlier recordings reflect an older, less familiar and considerably more varied style armonía in son jalisciense practice. In sum, this works explores a neglected aspect of mariachi performance, studying the armonía’s variation over time, laying the groundwork for more detailed future studies on this topic.

Comments

Copyright 2016 Adolfo Estrada Jr. All Rights Reserved.

https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/el-son-de-cuervo-transformation-armonía-practice/docview/1850205061/se-2?accountid=7119

Recommended Citation

Estrada, Adolfo Jr., "El son de "El cuervo": The transformation of armonía practice in the mariachi tradition" (2016). Theses and Dissertations. 155.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/155