Mexican Son music

Son mexicano is a category of Mexican folk music and dance that encompasses various regional genres, all of which are called son. The term son means "sound" in Spanish, and is also applied to other unrelated genres, most notably Son cubano.

Mexican son likely originated in Veracruz with major son traditions in this state along with the La Huasteca region, the Pacific coast of Guerrero and Oaxaca, Michoacán and Jalisco (where it morphed into mariachi). The music is based on string instruments such as guitars and violins, with elements which have not changed since the Spanish Baroque music that was introduced into Mexico during the colonial period. The dance associated with this music is social and often includes a stomping rhythm on a raised platform to provide percussion.

The term "son" is given to a category of Mexican folk music which covers a variety of styles that vary by region. However, these styles share a number of common characteristics in its rhythms, lyrics and dance. The music is a mix of Spanish, African and indigenous elements, which mingled at least as far back as the 18th century.

It is related to other Latin American folk music such as that of Colombia, Venezuela and Cuba but has had its own development. It is most popular on the Gulf Coast and certain sections of the Pacific coast, with three main regional varieties: son jarocho in Veracruz, son huasteco (or huapango) in the La Huasteca region and son jaliscience, which has morphed into what is now known as Mariachi.

Mexican son is usually played by bands playing string and percussion instruments. All generally sing but there is usually one or two lead singers. Most son songs are about love, mythological figures, legends, the landscapes of Mexico as well as political and religious themes. It is strongly tied to social dance which also varies by region, but not ceremonial dance. Dancers are generally couples executing zapateados on raised wooden dance floors. The zapateado provides most of the percussion in son jarocho and son huasteco.

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