Difference between Tejano, Nortena, etc

[post...@sd.aetc.com]

I live in San Diego and am learning Spanish and Mexican culture. There are
several Tijuana radio stations I listen to. Can someone enlighten me on
the difference between some of the musical genres?

I like Selena's music. What makes it Tejano? Who are other prominent
Tejano artists and artistas?

I bought "Jefe De Jefes" (Los Tigres Del Norte) recently. In this NG
someone said it was mostly "pure Nortena than Ranchera" I noticed a lot of
the songs have to do with the US, drug lords, etc. What makes it Nortena?

I have Linda Ronstadt's "Mas Canciones" Is this Ranchera? Do her albums
authentically represent Mexican / Mexican-American music?

I have found Tejano links, but they have not helped me understand the
differences between genres.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Michael

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[Dean Estes]

Hector B. Rodriguez wrote:
> =

> I'll have a go at this. Somebody correct me if I'm rong.
> =

> First Tejano is a sound that came out of south Texas some 10 years ago.=

Yes and no. Its roots go way back to the previous century. The word
Tejano was being used a lot in the 1930s. Mexican people will frequetly
object to my understanding of the history of the form. My pal Marco
recently, vehemently said, "Please don't say Tex-Mex! It's Mexican
music, and Texas musicians have helped develop it!" Well, whatever. I'm
still learning.

> It combines the traditional ranchera, norte=F1o, and cumbia sound with
> it's own distinctive sound. It has something to do with loud annoying s=
trings sounds from the keyboard palying accompaniment and accordion being=
the lead instrument.

Loud annoying string sounds? I don't get your meaning. I assume you're
speaking of synthesisers in contemporary commercial Tejano. There I have
to agree with you. I like the rootsier stuff. (Sorry, Selena!)

> The way the traditional Tejano artist (Ram Herrera, Emilio, Jay Perez)
> is rather bland. (I don't like tejano music, can you tell!)

Someone who does should respond to us. I don't like it much, either, but
want to try.

> Now norte=F1o is your more typical full blooded mexican accordion and b=
ajo sexto (12 string guitar) music (Ramon Ayala Y los Bravos Del Norte,
> Hurracanes Del Norte, Traileros Del Norte, Tigres Del Norte). By the
> way not all their names have del Norte but it's a giveaway that it is
> Norte=F1o.

Ok amigo, now your're talkin! :)

> Ranchera songs usually deal with the hard life one lives out in the
> rancho. Rancheras can be done with accordion and bajo sexto but also a=
lot of mariachi music is considered ranchera. (Vicente Fernandez,
> Antonio Aguilar)

Yes, but here's where I beg to differ a little with what's happened.
Mariachi is technically its own form, and the same goes for Ranchera.
Every Mariachi band these days does Norteno tunes, but that doesn't mean
the musics are the same. I long for more "pure" Mariachi, and am
grateful for the few bands who are still doing it, although they're ALL
in Mexico.

There's nothing like seeing Mariachi in the streets, restaurants, and
especially at the *ferias* in Mexico. =

I hope I'm not coming off like some know-it-all in this; I'm not, just a
lover of Mexico and her music, and still have a lot to learn myself. As
I mentioned to Michael, I'll try to post some pointers tomorrow to sites
that have taught me a thing or two.

One last name to note: Vicente's very popular son, Alejandro Fernandez,
is a remarkable Ranchera singer in his own right. Everyone who loves
Mexican music MUST have his CD "Que Seas Muy Feliz." There's a few good
Norteno songs (like the classic "Paso del Norte" on that record, but
most of all, THE VOICE!

Peace,
Dean

[íSandra/Sandy!]

I would like a better understanding of the categories, too. The best
I have been able to figure out, is that if the group has an accordian
in it, it USUALLY has a tejano sound!!!! But, I am sure there is
more to it than that! Help somebody!??? - Sandy

[Dean Estes]

Hector Rodriguez wrote:

> Now when you speak of Tejano, it's like I mentioned, about 10 years
> old. Actually if I may be petty, it even has political roots. It's
> when the Chicanos (Americans born of Hispanic parents) wanted to
> separate themselves from the Mexicanos, so they developed their own
> style of music. You notice this a lot on Tejano radio stations, the
> dialog will all be in English but the music in spanish. Makes you
> wonder.

Thanks Hector,

I didn't think that was petty at all, but very interesting.

Regards,
Dean

[jdj...@gmail.com]

TEJANO: It derives from norteño music, Mexican Americans created this music using same instruments as norteño music but incorporated other instruments such as keyboard musical instruments and were influenced by rock and roll and country music, originally the accordion was a secondary instrument while in norteño music it has been the main instrument since its conception.

NORTEÑO: Originated in the mid 1800 when Maximiliano of Habsburgo came to Mexico and brought with him the rhythms and dances of europe, after the triumph of Juarez over the european invaders, europeans and creoles started to migrate to the north of Mexico in what is now Nuevo Leon, Coahuila and Tamaulipas and south of Texas, mexicans started to copy polkas and other rhythms and created their own lyrics, singing rancheras and other mexican songs adopting the accordion as the main instrument of the Conjunto Norteño, tejano music started to develop in the same way singing lyrics from norteño and ranchera music but incorporating sound of the southern/USA...

[pdr...@yahoo.com]

I hope this isn't too late to be a contribution.
I was working in a Spanish language Gospel station on the Tex/Mex border back in the early 90's. Tejano music was already a big deal by then.
A DJ/Music Director at a station in McAllen which always polled the highest on both sides of the river explained the difference between Tejano and Norteno music as follows:
Norteno music started back when Polish workers arrived to build the railroads in Mexico. With them, they brought the accordion. The very first Norteno music sounded a lot like polkas and if you listen carefully, you might hear some similarities today.
Going on, he explained that Tejano is basically a synthesized form of Norteno with a keyboard replacing the accordion and often other instruments as well. Remember, this was back in '90 and '91 and genres often evolve over the years.