Vocal Problems in Mariachi Singers
The conditions under which Mariachi vocalists perform under are not always
optimal for vocal health. A typical performance day is quite hectic,
filled with many environmental factors that make it difficult to take good care
of the voice. The wait time between meeting at a gig and actually
performing can be up to an hour or more. This can make it difficult to
warm up the voice and keep it warm before one actually performs. The
environments in which Mariachis perform in are often smoky and loud causing the
performer to inhale smoke or overexert the voice. Mariachis perform at
outside parties quite often and the heat of the Southwest can be exhausting and
drying. The spirit of Mariachi music often calls for vocalizations such as
loud shouting, whistling, or tirando un grito, a scream like sound used
to imitate laughing or crying.
All of these behaviors and conditions make
it difficult for the mariachi to keep his/her voice from being misused and/or
abused. The fact that many vocalists are untrained increases the chance
that a voice disorder will occur. Many of the young musicians who are
joining the ever increasing movement of Mariachi music in the Southwest look up
to the great musicians of today and yesterday. The influence of famous
musicians on up and coming performers can be positive or negative. A
positive point is that many are choosing to be trained vocalists as well as
instrumentalists therefore the standard for the Mariachi singing voice is on the
rise. A negative point is that the famous images of today and yesterday
still engage in drinking alcohol and smoking to maintain the "spirit"
of the music. There is also the fact that many young singers strive to
imitate their idols but this can only cause vocal difficulty. Although it
is exciting for spectators to see young performers imitate famous performers of
the past, it can be very damaging singing out of the range of one's own
voice.
Summary of Problems (Vocal overuse, misuse, and abuse) the Mariachi Vocalist may Encounter
Overuse Misuse/Abuse Environmental
Heroic Schedule | Siinging out of range | Noise Pollution |
Bad time management | Use of a voice that is not one's own | Dryness |
Fatigue | Yelling/Screaming | No amplification |
Vocal nodules resulting from misuse/abuse. | Dehydration | |
Travel | ||
Poor diet | ||
Medications/drugs/alcohol |
Mr. Lujan, vocal coach of Mariachi
Cobre, gives some suggestions for the Mariachi vocalists for maintaining
vocal health in conditions and situations that are less than optimal.
Don't
drink alcohol
Don't
smoke
Learn
how to do "gritos" properly. Use falsetto when doing them in a
range that is comfortable. Sing them instead of actually yelling, make it
a controlled vocalization.
Drink
a lot of water during performances.
Hum
to keep the voice warm (personal communication, February 22, 2001).
What is Involved in Singing? What is a Mariachi Ensemble? The History of Mariachi Music What is the Difference in Training Between Genres? The Speech-Language Pathologist's Role Glossary of Terms Related to Singing Links References