Mexican music includes a range of genres, and the son is one of them. The very word “son” means “sound” (Noble 82). It refers to the regional music that can be mostly heard in eastern, western, and central parts of the country. It is played using such instruments as haupanguera, harp, and guitar, etc. As a rule, the performance is followed by foot-heel tapping and traditional or extemporized lyrics.
As people who play the son can be found throughout different locations, the peculiarities of the music vary. Still, there are common ones. Syncopation is among them. By dint of it, the rhythm of the melody occurs to be irregular. Rapid tempo encourages listeners to join the musicians, dance, and sing. Manicos imply a complicated sample of strumming that is aimed to produce a rhythmic background. The dance itself tends to become a part of melody as its acoustic qualities emphasize music.
This musical genre originates from the combination of local and Spanish elements, particularly for the 16th century. At that time, it was a theatrical song performed in a flippant tone and followed by a dance. At the beginning of the 18th century, the Church tried to forbid the son and claimed it to be immoral and indecent. Fortunately, the authorities did not achieve success and by the end of this century, it was played between the acts in the theaters of Mexico City. When the independence movements started, the son identified the new nation.
There are three well-known son varieties. The son jarocho can be observed during fandangos where musicians gather to present their sones in southern Veracruz. The son huasteco is performed throughout La Huasteca. The son de mariachi is played by representatives of western Mexico.
Work Cited
Noble, John. Mexico, Footscray: Lonely Planet, 2008. Print.