Mariachi steel?

Chris Heinrich · Post by **Chris Heinrich** » 11 Jul 2003 2:09 pm

Other than good ole Paul Neihaus with Calexico, does anyone else play steel in the genre, and is it done traditionally? Seems to me the two sounds are a natural fit. CH

Nathan Delacretaz · Post by **Nathan Delacretaz** » 12 Jul 2003 3:19 pm

I've had the same thought, because one of the great things about steel is that it allows you think a little bit like a horn section - all those great inversions available... But having some experience south of the border, I would guess that the tradtion involved in mariachi would pretty much shun anything electric or really modern.

Chris Heinrich · Post by **Chris Heinrich** » 13 Jul 2003 10:50 pm

Hey Nathan,
I live in Austin too, guess I need to up date my thingy. CH

Emmett Roch · Post by **Emmett Roch** » 14 Jul 2003 2:34 pm

Maybe not strictly Mariachi, but I've been called upon to play Mexican trumpet parts quite a few times, my first time being on "Ring Of Fire". Some years back, I used to play fairly often with a band in Terlingua, Texas (right on the Rio Grande) that played several Mexican songs and I played the horn parts, sometimes on dobro; again when I was with Gary P. Nunn on several Mexico-flavored songs he performs; and now, living in Spain, I often find myself the designated horn section on certain traditional Spanish songs.

So I guess that could be described as a semi-regular basis, anyway.

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GFI S-12 extended E9

[This message was edited by Emmett Roch on 14 July 2003 at 03:36 PM.]

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 14 Jul 2003 3:02 pm

el Senor Emmett toquar muy bueno

suave y caliente
Benga Benga

Chris Heinrich · Post by **Chris Heinrich** » 16 Jul 2003 3:01 pm

That's awesome, Emmett. It's the style I really want to learn. Do you usually play/harmonize the horn parts, or do you ever try the violin parts? I've played "ring of fire" a bunch on steel, and those simple lines are such a joy to play. I might be in spain Novemberish with Preston School of Industry, no dates yet, though. CH

Emmett Roch · Post by **Emmett Roch** » 17 Jul 2003 6:22 pm

Thanks CB---I got the wife to translate your post for me and she told me you said something nice :b

Chris--I always like to play harmonies on horn parts, since most of the songs of this type that I usually play have multiple horns, seemingly most often two trumpets.

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GFI S-12 extended E9

[This message was edited by Emmett Roch on 17 July 2003 at 07:29 PM.]

Wayne Franco · Post by **Wayne Franco** » 18 Jul 2003 10:10 am

Do any of you know what type of modal scales sound good in spanish type songs. I use to play Caravan on the 5 string and if played in the right key a Gmajor scale worked great. Its been so long ago, I don't remember what key! Its hell gettin old ain't it.

Gary Lee Gimble · Post by **Gary Lee Gimble** » 18 Jul 2003 10:26 am

W, I too picked Caravan on the old five and as far as modal scales are concerned, don't sweat it. They are all under your hand, right next to a magnum of Phillips to assist the aging process. C YA at the ISGC!

Gary LeeeeeeeEeeeee