Huapango
Encyclopedia
Huapango is a corruption of the Nahuatl
word huapanco that textually means on top of the wood platform according to the dictionary of the Real Academia Española
("huapantli", wood table; "pantli", row; and "co", place, on) http://buscon.rae.es/draeI/SrvltConsulta?TIPO_BUS=3&LEMA=huapango. Today huapango refers to a musical style that originated in and is played throughout the La Huasteca
region in Mexico. It is interpreted in different forms, the most common being the classic huapango interpreted by a trio of musicians (un trio huasteco); the huapango norteño interpreted by a group (un conjunto norteño); and the huapango de ariachi]], which can be performed by a large number of musicians.
, a huapanguera
and a jarana huasteca
. The classical huapango is characterized by a complex rhythmic structure mixing duple and triple meters which reflect the intricate steps of the dance. When the players sing (in a duet, in a falsetto tone), the violin stops, and the zapateado
(the rhythm provided by heels hitting the floor) softens . The huapango is danced by men and women as couples. A very popular huapango is El querreque, in which two singers alternate pert and funny repartees.
. It is performed by conjunto norteño (northern groups). The instrumentation of this type of ensemble consists of accordion
, bajo sexto
, double bass
, drums and saxophone
.
. Both major and minor keys are used. One of the distinctive characteristics is the use of a falsetto
by the vocalist. Another characteristic is the use of busy violin passages for the musical introductions and interludes. Famous songs include "Cucurrucucú paloma
" and "Malagueña
".
Nahuatl
Nahuatl is thought to mean "a good, clear sound" This language name has several spellings, among them náhuatl , Naoatl, Nauatl, Nahuatl, Nawatl. In a back formation from the name of the language, the ethnic group of Nahuatl speakers are called Nahua...
word huapanco that textually means on top of the wood platform according to the dictionary of the Real Academia Española
Real Academia Española
The Royal Spanish Academy is the official royal institution responsible for regulating the Spanish language. It is based in Madrid, Spain, but is affiliated with national language academies in twenty-one other hispanophone nations through the Association of Spanish Language Academies...
("huapantli", wood table; "pantli", row; and "co", place, on) http://buscon.rae.es/draeI/SrvltConsulta?TIPO_BUS=3&LEMA=huapango. Today huapango refers to a musical style that originated in and is played throughout the La Huasteca
La Huasteca
La Huasteca is the first climbing area in Monterrey, Mexico, only 15 minutes from the city. With nearly 200 bolted routes with grades from 5.8 to 5.13C, it is the favorite place for weekend climbers. It is also known for the slippery type of limestone from which it is comprised, and which makes...
region in Mexico. It is interpreted in different forms, the most common being the classic huapango interpreted by a trio of musicians (un trio huasteco); the huapango norteño interpreted by a group (un conjunto norteño); and the huapango de ariachi]], which can be performed by a large number of musicians.
Huapango típico (son huasteco)
The classical trio huasteco brings together a violinViolin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, a huapanguera
Huapanguera
The guitarra quinta huapanguera or guitarra huapanguera is a Mexican guitar-like instrument that usually forms part of a conjunto huasteco ensemble, along with the jarana huasteca guitar and violin. Here it takes on the role of the bass instrument using a rhythmical strumming technique. Its...
and a jarana huasteca
Jarana huasteca
The jarana huasteca, jarana de son huasteco or jarana is a string instrument.It is a guitar-like chordophone with 5 strings. It is smaller than the guitarra huapanguera and usually forms part of the trio huasteco ensemble, along with the quinta huapanguera and violin, taking on the role of the...
. The classical huapango is characterized by a complex rhythmic structure mixing duple and triple meters which reflect the intricate steps of the dance. When the players sing (in a duet, in a falsetto tone), the violin stops, and the zapateado
Zapateado
The zapateado is a dance of Mexican Indian origin characterized by a lively rhythm punctuated by the striking of the dancer's shoes, akin to tap dance...
(the rhythm provided by heels hitting the floor) softens . The huapango is danced by men and women as couples. A very popular huapango is El querreque, in which two singers alternate pert and funny repartees.
Huapango norteño
The huapango norteño is a fast dance piece in 6/8. This dance style and rhythm was included in early conjunto norteño (music)Norteño (music)
Norteño , also norteña or conjunto, is a genre of Mexican music. The accordion and the bajo sexto are norteño's most characteristic instruments. The norteño genre is popular in both Mexico and the United States, especially among the Mexican community...
. It is performed by conjunto norteño (northern groups). The instrumentation of this type of ensemble consists of accordion
Accordion
The accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
, bajo sexto
Bajo sexto
A bajo sexto is a musical instrument with 12 strings in 6 double courses, used in Mexican music. It is used primarily in norteño music of northern Mexico and across the border in the music of south Texas known as "Tex-Mex", "conjunto, or "música mexicana-tejana".A similar instrument with five...
, double bass
Double bass
The double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
, drums and saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
.
Huapango de mariachi
The huapango in mariachi has alternating rhythmic patterns similar to the son jaliscienceSon Jaliscience
Son Jaliscience from Jalisco and Colima, in Mexico, has both instrumental and versed songs in this form, mostly in major keys. It is performed by mariachi ensembles. It has an alternating rhythmic pattern in the armonía and guitarrón. Basic pattern consists of one measure of 6/8 with the next...
. Both major and minor keys are used. One of the distinctive characteristics is the use of a falsetto
Falsetto
Falsetto is the vocal register occupying the frequency range just above the modal voice register and overlapping with it by approximately one octave. It is produced by the vibration of the ligamentous edges of the vocal folds, in whole or in part...
by the vocalist. Another characteristic is the use of busy violin passages for the musical introductions and interludes. Famous songs include "Cucurrucucú paloma
Cucurrucucu paloma
"Cucurrucucú paloma" is a Mexican Huapango song written by Tomás Méndez and introduced by Lola Beltrán in the film Cucurrucucú Paloma. The song also appeared in other movies, such as Escuela de Vagabundos, The Last Sunset, Happy Together, Talk to Her, and My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done...
" and "Malagueña
Malagueña
Originally the sixth movement of the Suite Andalucia by Ernesto Lecuona, who also provided it with Spanish lyrics, the song "Malagueña" has since become a popular, jazz, marching band, and drum corps standard and has been provided with lyrics in several languages.-Notable vocal performances:A...
".