The Music of the Hispanic Americans

Like most folk music of immigrants that came to America "Hispanic American folk music and folk based music is very closely related to the styles brought from their native countries" (Lornell 251). There are many styles of Hispanic American folk this is especially true in Texas where music and other forms of Hispanic culture is group under the name "Tex-Mex".  the music and culture is highly concerted along the broader of Mexico and Texas. Styles of Hispanic American folk music that can be found there is Corridos, Mariachi, and Conjunto.

Conjunto music particularly is used in constructing and affirming identity for the Hispanic American folk. Conjunto "...reflects it's origins in Northerner Mexico" and is the  "...most prominent form of folk music along he boarder" (Lornell 257). It is the music of the blue collar men and women of society and it "...remains to this day the everyday music of working-class Texas Mexicans and Mexican "Nortenos" (Northerners)" (Pena). The music helps to preserve a Mexican working class culture. Its establishes the identity of the folk in society in regards to social class and it gives these folk a voice. This ideology of the Mexican working culture was carried over and rooted in America because Conjunto music helped to construct and affirm it in the soil of the new land. Another example of a folk where music serves as a similar purpose were the Irish. There songs were of the working class much like the Hispanics and their music. 

The experience of the Hispanic immigrants  were similar to those of other immigrants that came to the America. These other groups included the African Americans, the Irish, Scottish, and English. Their songs were of the working folk and their music help to preserve it the identity and affirm it in the new world. The Hispanic Americans musical response focused heavily on their native countries folkways and ideologies. Although American folkways did touch the music of the Hispanic Americans, but it did not over take it and completely change over the generations like other music of other immigrants groups such as the Germans and the their Polka. The African Americans take on music reflected the inner struggles of oppression and the Anglo Cowboys of the west sang songs that provoked their loneliness. These groups did not maintain the music of their native lands like that of the Hispanic Americans.

Hispanic American is heavily based on their native country's music from style, to form, to what instruments are used. There are many styles of Hispanic music especially in the region of the Texas and Mexican boarder (Tex-Mex region). Conjunto is one particular style of music that affirms the Hispanic folks identity as a working class people.


1. http://newamerica.umd.edu/images/img11.jpg

2. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFalUTLQPQnYnr9t6shZUYbtBfBX7OmHgdE4hFYvvQDbeK6g1lsItHjd5Nrnc7XS1b7VOhcm5HzwcwvhrcZlmQIH85B-SQsbkOCN7sqIfbudwnd1P_ARLQLW-W5FrGHyrG01Iig26ApY/s1600/2011-09-Conjunto-Concert-yv-51.jpg

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