I have a question about mariachi music -- at least I think it's mariachi --

[eppur_se_muova]

about 20 years ago, when I worked in Morgantown, WV, I occasionally visited a Mexican restaurant which played some interesting music in the background. Unfortunately, I moved away without ever asking them who/what was playing! It featured several trumpets, other brass (I'm pretty sure I remember both trombone and tuba) but the unusual thing was that I could hear two clarinets playing high above the other instruments. At least once, there was a soprano sax instead of clarinet. I don't remember hearing strings or accordion, but that may not mean a whole lot. Does anyone know if this might be some sort of sub-genre of mariachi music, or maybe not mariachi at all ? Is it familiar enough to anyone that they could post a YouTube example that's clearly this and not "standard" mariachi ? Thanks, folks !

PS: Also, were those Eb clarinets ? Or even the tiny little Ab ?


ETA: Here's why I was wondering about Eb and Ab clarinets...

And we mentioned a Czech link.

"Yes, there is a link through Maximilian, because many scholars and musical authorities consider that the presence of so many brass instruments and polka and waltz tunes in Mexican music is attributable to this period in their history, and particularly Maximilian was supposed to have taken some military bands with him. Anybody who's a fan of Mexican music will recognize some of the similar sounds, particularly the instruments such as the tuba and the accordion. These were instruments that were brought over from Europe."

https://english.radio.cz/brass-bands-beer-and-a-famous-boulevard-czech-links-mexico-8558700

[MuseRider]

1. I have never heard an Ab clarinet

played anywhere, an Eb sure but I have never heard that anywhere but in a band or in an orchestra where there are great parts but not a lot of them. There are also some solo works for Eb.

I do not know enough about music from Mexico to speak about that, I dearly love it but actually know nothing about it.

My guess is you are hearing Bb clarinets, they can go quite high but probably just sounded higher than the other instruments.

[Bobstandard]

2. That's probably Banda music

In Banda wind instruments dominate, often trumpets , clarinets and tuba, and often in groups of six or more. The tuba carries the bass line.

Conjunto music is a similar form but with much smaller groups with an accordion taking lead and a stringed instrument called a bajo keeping rhythm and a stringed guitarron taking bass. Usually there are no wind instruments

Mariachi will have violins, guitars, guitarron and trumpets. All or most of the players will also sing

[Goonch]

3. What is Mariachi, Banda, and Norteo? 3 Types of Mexican Music

[eppur_se_muova]

4. Thanks! From your descriptions, I agree completely.

Now I know what to YouTuble for.

[Iggo]

5. Sounds like Banda.

Here's one of my favorites.