Huapango

The huapango is the name of a Mexican musical style and the accompanying lively dance of mestizo origin that is especially popular in the lands along the Gulf of Mexico.

Different styles of huapango are performed by many bands, with singers and instrumental ensembles ranging from a duo of guitars to a full mariachi band, with trumpets and guitarrones. A very well known piece of classical music is the Huapango, by the Mexican composer José Pablo Moncayo.

Nicolas Slonimsky explained that the word huapango "is derived either from a native vocable meaning ‘on a wooden stand’ (the huapango is danced on a platform), or it may be a contraction of Huastecas de Pango, "Pango" being another name for the River Pánuco and the Huastecs, the indigenous population of that area.

Huapango típico (son huasteco)

	Huapango típico (son huasteco)
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The classical trio huasteco brings together a violin , a quinta ( a big guitar ) and a jarana ( guitar-looking , but with 8 strings, and a dry tinkling sound ) . The classical huapango is characterized by a complex rhythmic structure mixing duple and triple meters which reflect the intricate steps of the dance . When the players sing ( in duo , on a falsetto tone ) the violin stops , and the zapateo ( heels rolling on the floor ) softens . The huapango is danced by men and women as couples; the men sing, the women do not. A very popular huapango is El querreque in which two singers alternate pert and funny repartees.

Huapango norteño

	Huapango norteño Huapango performed by conjunto norteño
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The huapango norteño is a fast dance piece in 6/8. This dance style and rhythm was included in early conjunto norteño music. It is performed by conjunto norteño (northern groups.) The instrumentation of this type of ensemble consists of accordion, bajo sexto, double bass, drums and saxophone.

Huapango de mariachi

	Huapango de mariachi Huapango performed by mariachi band
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The huapango in mariachi has alternating rhythmic patterns similar to the son jaliscience. Both major and minor keys are used. One of the distinctive characteristics is the use of a falsetto by the vocalist. Another characteristic is the use of busy violin passages for the musical introductions and interludes. Famous songs include Cucurrucucu paloma and Malagueña .

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