Son jalisciense

Son jalisciense is a variety of Mexican son music from which much of modern mariachi music is derived. This son relied on the same basic instruments, rhythms and melodies as the sones of Veracruz and the Huasteca regions, using the same string instruments. By the 19th century, Son jalisciense developed to be played with one vihuela, two violins and a guitarrón (which largely replaced the harp). Modern mariachi developed when trumpets were added to the ensemble in the 1930's, becoming a fixture of the previously all-string genre by the 1940's.

Son jalisciense has both instrumental and vocal songs in this form, mostly in major keys. It is performed by mariachi ensembles. It has an alternating rhythmic pattern in the armonía (vihuela, guitars) and guitarrón. This basic pattern consists of one measure of ⁶
₈ with the next measure of ³
₄, known as sesquialtera. The best known song of this type of son is called “La Negra”.