Our Musical Heritage

1. Our Musical Heritage Cultural Influences of Mexican/Mexican American Music

2. 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

3. Aztec Instruments

4. 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

6. African Influences • In Mexico  “tropical music”, dancing music has a strong African influence • danzones, • mambo, • cha cha cha, • salsa, • Sones • Instruments; drums and others

7. Mexican Music • Mexican musicians incorporate their Pre-Columbian 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

8. Mexican American Music • Carlos Santana • African,Spanish and Native Influences