¡Arriba Jalisco, sí señor! No other kind of Mexican music stirs excitement, emotion, and alegria like the son. With its energetic playing, exuberant singing, and festive dancing, the son is the heart and soul of mariachi music. In this Lesson, you will experience and learn about the son de mariachi.

Lesson Paths & Learning Objectives

1. What Is Mariachi?

   • Identify textual and musical clues about Chicana/o identity.
   • Identify the typical instrumentation of música norteña.
   • 25 minutes

2. Mariachi Roots: History and Geography

   • Describe several rationales for the Chicano movement.
   • 20+ minutes

3. Mariachi Basics: ¡Toquemos!

   • Use music to describe important aspects of your own cultural identity.
   • Explore why certain songs became anthems for people who identified as Chicana/o during the Chicano movement.
   • Explain how music can celebrate/reaffirm cultural identity and serve as a symbol of cultural pride.
   • 30+ minutes