A minimum mariachi group has 2 violins, 2 trumpets, 1 guitarrón, 1 guitar, and 1 vihuela. Complete mariachi groups have a minimum of 12 members with the standard 6 violins, 3 trumpets, 1 guitarrón, 1 guitar and 1 vihuela. A 13th member is often a harp, an extra violin, or an extra guitar. The Vargas de Tecalitlán currently has thirteen members, distributed as follows:
Violins: Manuel Alcaraz Vargas, Alberto Alfaro, José "Pepe" Martínez (Director), José Martínez Jr., Daniel Martínez, and Andres Gonzalez
Trumpets: Federico Torres (member since 1966), Gustavo Alvarado (since 1991), and Fernando Valasquez (since 2007)
Guitarrón: Enrique de Santiago (member of the group since 1989)
Guitar: Arturo Vargas (member of the group since 2003 and originating in Jalisco)
Vihuela: Gilberto aguirre (part of the group since 2011, being the newest member of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán)
Harp: Julio Martínez (member since 1996)
The history of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán is divided into five phases (or generations); the first generation from 1897 to 1930, the second from 1931 to 1949, the third from 1950 to 1993, the fourth from 1994 to 2002 and the fifth since 2003 to date.
1st generation (1897–1930)
The Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán was born in a small city called Tecalitlán, to the south of Jalisco. Founded in 1897 by Don Gaspar Vargas the formation during those years was provided by the guitarra de golpe (or mariachera) played precisely by Don Gaspar, the wooden harp by Manuel Mendoza, and two violins played by Lino Quintero and Refugio Hernandez. The combination of these instruments established the "Sonido Tecalitlán" which distinguished from the "Sonido Cocula". (The Mariachi from Cocula utilized the guitarron and the vihuela in place of the harp and the guitarra de golpe aside from the two violins). In 1913, Don Gaspar introduced one trumpet to the group but it was not well accepted and, in later performances, its high-pitched sound was considered annoying. The cornet was replaced by another violin. The group consisted then of five elements. The son of Don Gaspar Vargas, Silvestre Vargas, joined as a violinist in 1921. From 1926 the group consisted of Gaspar Vargas - Guitarra de golpe, Manuel Mendoza - Harp, Silvestre Vargas, Trinidad Olivera and Nicolas Torres - Violins.
2nd generation (1931–1949)
In 1931 Gaspar Vargas turned the leadership of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán over to his son, Silvestre. As the first step in his reorganization Silvestre decided to enlarge the group to eight musicians. He invited his compatriots, the Quintero brothers, Rafael and Jeronimo to join. One played a violin and the other a guitar. Later he would add another violin played by Santiago Torres. He moved Trinidad Olivera from the violin to the guitarron, although still preserving the wooden harp. It was Silvestre who possessed a dream that his group would one day be the greatest mariachi in all Mexico and he was relentless in his pursuit of fulfilling that dream. The Mariachi Vargas was something of an oddity in the early 1930s; the members were all dressed in charro suits, they showed up on time for performances, and they were sober.
In 1933 they won first place in a Mariachi contest celebrated in Guadalajara. Then again, in Mexico City, in 1934, they were awarded another first place prize. President Lázaro Cárdenas, who enjoyed the music of "Vargas", subsequently had the group hired as the official mariachi of the Mexico City Police Department and the group moved to Mexico City where they remained for 20 years. They provided music and entertainment for the capital city at its parks and gardens. Beginning in 1937, the Mariachi Vargas appeared in "Asi es mi Tierra", the first of its more than 200 motion pictures. They played in many of Pedro Infante's movies as well. In that same year they recorded their first record and signed an exclusive contract with RCA.
In 1941 they definitively integrated the trumpet into the musical interpretations of the group. Miguel Martínez was the first trumpet player for Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán. He is considered the creator of the mariachi-style trumpet and the best performer, teacher and example of the instrument. In 1944, Rubén Fuentes, a classical violinist with no background in mariachi music, was asked by Silvestre to join the group. He joined as a violinist and became music adjuster. Silvestre Vargas and Ruben Fuentas reorganized Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán and changed their image and sound. They demanded a professional presentation to overcome the unruly concept that the term "mariachis" had to the general public in those days.
3rd Generation (1950–1993)
Fuentes took complete responsibility for the group's musical direction, and enriched the evolution that for many years had conserved the primitive and unstudied qualities of mariachi. The changing sound of the Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán was redirected without the abandonment of its roots or traditions. The Huapangos and Sones (which were two very distinctive styles of the mariachi music) were being interpreted in many diverse and different ways. The Mariachi Vargas recorded the Sones with arrangements and adaptations as patterns for other groups. This stratagem promoted the concept that all mariachi groups could be unified to those versions by taking them as examples. The traditional songs and the original sound of the mariachi began to mature in the 1950s. It was during the recordings of the "Golden Age of the Huapangos" that the compositions, arrangements and musical direction of Rubén Fuentes, and the unequaled voice of Miguel Aceves Mejía, initiated a musical shift that would change the sound and instrumentation of the mariachi. Due to the fact they change mariachi from the start they choose to keep it in away that it would still be traditional.
Revolutionary new harmony
In 1955 Rubén Fuentes stopped performing in the group. However, to date he maintains his position as producer, musical arranger and musical director, assisted during this first age by Jesús Rodríguez de Hijar and, under both, the administrative and leadership skills of Silvestre Vargas. In 1966 Rubén Fuentes wrote "La Bikina", a song that was recognized as the epitome of this Revolutionary New Harmony and sound of the mariachi. He continues to write and produce music for Mariachi Vargas that takes is an emotional roller coaster from the height of happiness to the despair of a broken heart or a lost love. As much in Mexico as in foreign countries the Sones and Huapangos acquire new directions.
Mariachi conferences
In the 1970s interest in mariachi music was waning. But all that changed when San Antonio, Texas held its first international mariachi conference in September 1979. In 1975, Jose "Pepe" Martinez, Sr. became the musical director of Mariachi Vargas. He wrote many arrangements including "Violin Huapango" which individually showcase the different instruments and members in the group. In 1983, the Mariachi Vargas appeared for the first time at the Tucson International Mariachi Conference. A new movement began to grow and many other conferences began to develop. The Mariachi Vargas was often chosen as the headline performer.
In 1986, Linda Ronstadt appeared with the Mariachi Vargas at the Tucson International Mariachi Conference where she sang publicly in Spanish for the first time. In 1987 she released her "Canciones de mi Padre" album featuring Mariachi Vargas which won her a Grammy award for the album. She also went on a national tour with the group, giving greater international exposure to mariachi music than ever before and creating a new audience for mariachi music among non-Hispanics.
Classical mariachi
In 1989, the Mariachi Vargas released their "En Concierto" CD featuring some of the greatest renderings of classical music ever played by a mariachi group. They also accompanied Lucero in the 1990s as she rose in the ranks of contemporary musical stardom. The Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán initiated a series of solo recordings: Sones, Valses, Pasos Dobles, Bailes Regionales, Polkas, Clasico e International, etc. They have added more than 50 recordings of mariachi music interpreted by what has become "The Best Mariachi in the World."
4th generation (1994–2002)
It is known by all mariachi lovers that this generation was the most talented group of musicians performing since 100 years of their foundation.[citation needed] In their album "La fiesta del Mariachi", Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, fourth generation, the group integrates to make a tribute to Jose "Pepe" Martínez, who besides his magnificent musical arrangements and direction of the group, inspired many as a composer. Their recordings on Polygram with this generation include are, "El Mariachi Vargas", "En Concierto", "Los sones Reyes", "La fiesta del Mariachi" and "50 anniversary of Rubén Fuentes". Rubén Fuentes's arrangements and music with the Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán are the first five recordings for the one-hundredth anniversary of the foundation of "Vargas" in 1997.
5th generation (2003–present)
In 2003 Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán began its fifth generation. Their latest recordings are, "5ta Generacion", "Sinfonico I", "Sinfonico II", and "Penas, Desengaños... Y Amores". Today the group is composed of two harps, one vihuela, one guitar, one guitarron, three trumpets and six violins. With the added instruments, a new sound has emerged that crosses all international borders. The music they play now ranges from the traditional sones to classical works as well as popurris that continue to delight audiences everywhere. In the 100 years since its foundation, the group has gone through some major changes. While there has been some departure from the tradition during that time, the group has maintained its roots through the playing of traditional Mexican sones. In 1997, "Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán" celebrated its first One Hundred years of foundation.
Discography
From 1937 until now (2009), the Mariachi Vargas has produced over 50 recordings, whose contents are Huastecos sones, waltzes, popurris, polkas, huapango, cumbias, among others.
Danzones (1964 RCA)
Mariachi *Colección Original (BMG Latin, 1999) –This is a recording recompilation made while 1958–1968 -.
Lo Mejor de lo Mejor (BMG Latin, 2000) –This is a recording recompilation made while 1958–1967 -.
Tradicionales de México Lindo Y Querido (LIDERES, 2001).
Sinfónico With Orquesta Filarmónica del Estado de Querétaro (2001) –Directed by Maestro José Guadalupe Flores-.
5ta. Generación (2002).
Sinfónico II With Orquesta Filarmónica del Estado de Querétaro (2002) Directed by Maestro José Guadalupe Flores-.
Penas, Desengaños Y Amores (2004).
Y aquí estamos (2008).
El Cuatro
Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
El rey de todo los sones,
Este es el cuatro mentado,
El rey de todo los sones...
Querido de las mujeres, apreciados de los hombres...
Querido de las mujeres, apreciados de los hombres...
Que de dóses, que de tréses, que de malillas y áces,
Que de dóses, que de tréses, que de malillas y áces,
Chinita que mal pagas, pero tú sabes lo que haces.
Señora si usted quisiera hacerme una caridad
Señora si usted quisiera hacerme una caridad,
Partiera su rebozito, ay! me diera la mitad
Para hacerme un cotoncito, que ya vergüenza me da!
The song "El Cuatro" by Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán is a tribute to the cuatro, a small guitar-like instrument that is often used in traditional Mexican music. The lyrics describe the cuatro as the "king of all sones" - sones being a type of Mexican folk music that is often played with the cuatro. The song goes on to describe how the cuatro is beloved by both men and women, and how it is played in different rhythms and styles (represented by "doses," "treses," and various chord progressions).
The second half of the song becomes more personal, with the singer addressing a woman directly. He asks her if she would be willing to give him part of her shawl so he can make a small cotono (a Mexican garment similar to a tunic). He acknowledges that the woman may not be very generous (saying "Chinita que mal pagas"), but he also suggests that she knows what she's doing. The implication here is that the woman may be playing hard to get, and the singer is trying to win her favor by hinting that he needs her help.
Overall, "El Cuatro" is a celebration not just of the instrument itself, but of the broader musical culture that it represents. By highlighting the different rhythms and chord progressions that can be played on the cuatro, and by weaving in personal elements like the singer's request for the woman's shawl, the song captures the joy, passion, and improvisatory spirit of Mexican folk music.
Line by Line Meaning
Este es el cuatro mentado...
This is the famous cuatro, known as the king of all traditional Mexican music...
El rey de todo los sones,
...which is at the forefront of every mariachi performance, beckoning everyone to dance and sing!
Querido de las mujeres, apreciados de los hombres...
Adored by women, respected by men, this cuatro brings joy and merriment to all who listen!
Que de dóses, que de tréses, que de malillas y áces,
Be it in twos, threes, or with more complex chords, this cuatro sings out and enchants everyone with its melody and rhythm.
Chinita que mal pagas, pero tú sabes lo que haces.
Dearest girl, you may not pay me well, but I know you appreciate the music and enjoy dancing to it, and that is worth more than any coin!
Señora si usted quisiera hacerme una caridad...
Madam, if you would be so kind as to grant me a small favor, might you part with a bit of your shawl to help me make a small cloth, for I am embarrassed by my own threadbare clothes!
Partiera su rebozito, ay! me diera la mitad...
Please, part with your shawl, oh! and give me just a small piece, so I can make myself a new shirt, for I am ashamed of my current state!
Para hacerme un cotoncito, que ya vergüenza me da!
This will allow me to have a simple yet dignified garment, and I can play my cuatro with newfound confidence, without shame or worry!
Contributed by Lucas Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Angelina Gonzalez
El mejor mariachi de México.Recuerdo cuando estaba en la primaria por los años 80' en los festivales bailabamos estos lindos sones, que recuerdos!!. arriba Jalisco México,,!desde San Diego ca
Estela Sanchez
No hay música mas alegre que los sones jaliscienses, arriba Jalisco!!! Mariachi Vargas maravilloso!!! Ésta es buena música, no como otras que están de moda
joel contreras
es correcto. esta es la musica mas hermosa.puros sones, y que toquen el relampago si senor como dijo vargas
Sonia Angelica Ucaranza
Mi papa Tomas Ucaranza oriundo de Otatlan jalisco por alla en los inicios del mariachi vargas era el guitarrista cuando el papa de Silvestre Vargas tambien tocaba no recuerdo su nombre solo se que le decian el Tejon . Amo esta musica me recuerda mi ninez
David Gonzalez
Gaspar Vargas.
Hector Manzo
Una pregunta, esta hermosa pieza en qué película aparece, gracias
juan manuel velázquez galicia
No hay como la alegría
Eugenio Armando Galván Pimentel
Es un verdadero placer escuchar las selecciones de mariachi que nos comparte sr. Tuco 25, es todo un conocedor de nuestras raíces musicales. Felicidades por su buen gusto y altruismo al compartirlas. Enhorabuena. !!
Eduardo Vela
Esta muy bonito
Guadalupe Lozano
Estupendo son jaliscience. Una chulada la musica mexicana!!! Y no te rajes Jaliscoooo!!!