M USIC FROM M EXICO 6 th Grade Lesson Mrs. Serres.

MUSIC FROM MEXICO6th Grade Lesson

Mrs. Serres

FACTS ABOUT MEXICO

Mexico, officially the United Mexican States

Capital: Mexico City

Currency: Mexican peso

President: Enrique Peña Nieto

Official language: Spanish

Government: Federal republic, Presidential system

Population: 114,793,341 (2011)Mayan ruin Chichenitza

OLMEC CIVILIZATION The first civilization to evolve in Mesoamerica

was that of the Olmecs, around 1500 B.C. They possibly came from Africa. They built huge religious stone emblems of their

gods and rulers. Some were more than nine feet tall, and weighed more than 40 tons.

They transported these emblems miles across the terrain without the use of wheels or the aid of animals.

They were expert farmers and had a sophisticated Market place system.

Archeologists are not sure what led to the decline of the Olmec civilization.

Olmec

ANCIENT CULTURES - AZTEC The Aztecs were a wandering tribe that settled on

the swampy shores of Lake Texcoco around 1300 BC. 

They built canoes, created floating gardens for growing food and filled in the marshes to create more land.

After they settled in, they began to conquer the neighboring tribes.

Each conquered tribe had to pay tribute to the Aztecs in the form of food, clothing, jewels, and of course, captives to feed the hungry gods. That made the Aztecs very happy and very rich.

In 1500 ACE Spanish explores arrived and were amazed at the empire the Aztecs had created.

AZTEC CULTURE CONTINUED

The Spanish had come to Mexico to conquer and take over the country for the Spanish Empire.

The Spanish brought guns, horses, huge fighting dogs, and disease.

Because the Aztecs were such fierce warriors, they might have had a slim chance of survival against guns and horses and huge fighting dogs. But they had no defense against disease. They had never been exposed to childhood diseases like measles. Many became ill once the Spanish arrived; many died.

By the late 1500’s the Aztec empire was extinguished

THE MAYAN’S 400 BCE, a new people suddenly appeared, the

Maya. No one knows where they came from, but they

arrived with amazing skills. They were an advanced civilization. They soon took over the Yucatan Peninsula of Central America. 

Their system of mathematics was among the most sophisticated in the ancient world. 

Like the ancient Romans, the Mayas were master builders.

Around 900 CE, the Maya cities were  abandoned and no one seems to know why.

Archeologists continue to look for clues in Mayan ruins to find out what happened to the Mayan people

The Mayan Civilization

QUIJADA

Made the jawbone of a donkeyThe musician strikes thelarge end with their palm so the teeth rattle, or scrapes the teeth with a stick

TEPONAZTLI DRUM (ANCIENT AZTECS)

Made from a hollowed out treetrunk with two slits cut into the side. It is played with two mallets.This drum was used for special ceremonies

GUITARRA CONCHERA

Small guitar made from the shell of anArmadillo. Used for Concheros DanceSongs and ceremonies

MARIACHI Originated in the state of Jalisco in the late

1800’s Features two violins, guitar, vihuela,

guitarron and trumpets Often times a singer may join the band for

certain songs Trumpets and violins play the melody Guitar, vihuela, guitarron play the rhythm Dance music, lively rhythms and melodies Style can vary slightly from region to region

in Mexico

MARIACHI INSTRUMENTS

MARIACHI COSTUMEMEXICAN CHARROS OUTFIT

INFLUENCES FROM OTHER COUNTRIES

Germany –Contributed the Accordion, Tuba & Trumpet

Spain – Guitar & Violin

Africa – Marimba (like a xylophone but made of wood)

MODERN STYLES OF MEXICAN MUSIC

Son Jarocho (song style of Veracruz) – songs like “La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens

Banda – style that uses a lot of brass instruments like tuba, trumpets and trombones – Songs like “Inolvidable” by Jenni Rivera

Rock en Espanol – A combination of American rock and Spanish instruments and influences; modern performers like Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Inglesias, Selena Gomez

Tejano – “Amore Prohibido” by Selena Perez

SON JAROCHO MUSIC “LA BAMBA”

CINCO DE MAYO Commemorates the battle at

Puebla where a small group of Mexicans defeated a well trained French Army

Des Colores is a song traditionally sung at Cinco de Mayo celebrations

Celebrated with parades, parties, food, dancing, concerts and fun!

Celebrated more in the United States then in Mexico

“DE COLORES” CINCO DE MAYO SONG

MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

Celebrated on September 16! The song “Viva Mexico” is traditionally sung

during independence day celebrations

“VIVA MEXICO” (MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY SONG)

“LAS MANANITAS”SONG SUNG ON A PERSON’S BIRTHDAY

FAMOUS MEXICAN MUSICIANS

TabooFrom BlackEyed Peas

Selena Gomez

Richie Valens

Jenni RiveraSelenaPerez

Freddy FenderCarlos SantanaMexican &

Native American