How can I start a mariachi band?

Question

I just had this recent craze with mariachi music, and I can play some on my guitar. I know who I'd pick to be in it, but how do I start. We all know how to play our instruments pretty well. I can't find any mariachi music and don't have a credit card to buy it online. I tried writing some myself, but I can't write parts for trumpets and violins. I just need a little advice. That would be very appreciated.

Answer 1

Mariachi Oro has a few arrangements online.

http://www.mariachioro.com/

Writing for violins isn't that hard. They are a concert instrument, which means that if you write a Middle C on the music, they will actually play a middle C (Three fingers on the G string)

Writing for Trumpets is a little more difficult, but not nearly as daunting as you might think. When you write a C on the Page, they actually play a B Flat. This means that whatever key you write the Violin part in, you write the trumpet parts in the next highest key (Violins C, Trumpets D)

The Guitaron (Mexican Bass Guitar) plays in octaves, but most of the music is just written with one note. Some Mariachi groups use stringed Basses (Bass Violins) Electric Basses, or even the Arpa (kind of a bass harp) These are all concert instruments as well, and the main thing is not to write outside of their range.

Guitars and Vihuelas are usually just given chord sheets. The rhythm can be written into the slashes underneath the chords, or you can teach the players by rote. Remember that most Mariachi Guitar and Vihuela players prefer to use the down stroke predominantly, whenever possible.

Violins usually play in intervals of thirds or sixths (a third is just an inverted sixth and a sixth is an inverted third i.e. - Middle C up to E is a third, but Middle c down to the lower E is a sixth!) Listening to the recordings gives you lots of clues as well. Make sure you stick to the traditional tunes when you write for your group. If you try to write arrangements for copywritten material you get into other difficulties. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Have you tried the library's audio section? Or you could always go listen to real mariachis.

Answer 3

WELL TRY THE INTERNET REMEMBER YOU NEED THE UNIFORM.AND ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO DO THAT.YOU DON'T GET ANYTHING OUT OF IT........