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Our Musical Heritage
Cultural Influences of
Mexican/Mexican American Music
Pre-Colombian
The Maya and Aztec peoples played
instruments
• tlapitzalli (a flute)
• teponatzli, a log drum
• the conch-shell trumpet
• various rattles/ rasps
• huehuetl, a kettle drum
• Aztec music was entirely religious in
nature, and was performed by
professional musicians
• Instruments were considered
Aztec Instruments
Spanish
• The arrival of the Spanish introduced new music and
instruments
• At the time, parts of Spain and Portugal were controlled by
the Moors of North Africa who in turn influenced Spanish
music
• Moorish instruments were adopted in Spain,
• North African nasal, high-pitched singing style and
improvisation spread to the all the peoples of Iberia,
• From continental Europe, Spain adopted the French
troubadour tradition, which by the 16th century was a major
part of Spanish culture.
• Both ethnic Spaniards and Moors contributed to the
troubadour tradition, which spawned the décima song form,
which features ten lines of eight syllables each.
• The décima format remains an important part of Latin
music, include in corridos, bolero, and vallenato
African Influences
• In Mexico “tropical music”, dancing
music has a strong African influence
• danzones,
• mambo,
• cha cha cha,
• salsa,
• Sones
• Instruments; drums and others
Mexican Music
• Mexican musicians incorporate their PreColumbian roots together with the lasting
influence of the Spanish.
• Both folk and classical Mexican music have
drawn from these influences, and regional styles
reflect these traditions.
• The Spanish regime also imported African slaves,
adding a third dimension to the areas music.
• Mexican Son: Mexican son first appeared in the
17th century and is a fusion of indigenous,
Spanish and African traditions
Mexican American Music
• Carlos Santana
• African,Spanish and Native Influences