Mariachi Country of Origin: Mexico (Latin America) Ensemble: voice, trumpet, violin, ela, (acoustic/classical) guitar, and ge 1n, folk harp. Context: Costumed (the traje de charro) originating from cowboys of Western Mexico. Form: Usually free-metered introductions establishing the narrative event (love, betrayal, machismo etc). This is followed usually by a mix of simple (3/4) and compound (6/8) triple and duple meters, but can also be in 2 or 4/4. Structure: Call and response techniques between singers (there is rarely a lead singer; all the members of the chorus take tums); singing in close harmonies. Harmonies: Close harmonies between singers usually in parallel motion, major or minor modes. Rhythm: The main rhythm element is the guit in, the bass instrument. Language: Spanish (Latin American) The guitars and y can (BEF will often strum in this pattern: Note the very distinctive bass-line provided by the guitarrén, a bass instrument which often alternates between providing the downbeats and syncopations. It is the main rhythmic force of the ensemble.