On Tejano Music 4: Primary Instrumentation

A seasoned Musician (Vocals, Guitar and Piano), Filmmaker, and Actor, J.D. Mata has composed 100 songs and carried out 100 reveals and venues all through. He has been a daily on the legendary “Whisky a Go Go,” the place he has wooed audiences along with his unique shamanistic musical performances. He has written and directed nerous characteristic movies, internet sequence, and music movies. J.D. has additionally appeared in numerous nationwide T.V. commercials and reveals. Memorable appearances are TRUE BLOOD (HBO) as Tio Luca, THE UPS Retailer Nationwide tv business, and the lead within the Lil Wayne music video, HOW TO LOVE, with over 129 million views. As a MOHAWK MEDICINE MAN, J.D. additionally led the spiritual-based movie KATERI, which received the distinguished “Capex Dei” award on the Vatican in Rome. J.D. co-starred, carried out and wrote the music for the unique world premiere play, AN ENEMY of the PUEBLO — by one in all right this moment’s preeminent Chicana writers, Josefina Lopez! That is J.D.’s third Fringe; final 12 months, he wrote, directed and starred within the Fringe Encore Efficiency award-winning “A Evening on the Chicano Rock Opera.” He’s in season 2 of his NEW YouTube sequence, ROCK god! J.D. is a local of McAllen, Texas and resides in North Hollywood, California. 

Scott Douglas Jacobsen: Would you think about the accordion, the bajo sexto, brass devices, the keyboard, or the vocals extra important by way of manufacturing and sound? Which one sometimes leads the remainder of the instrumentation?

J.D. Mata: The bass and the drums are the heartbeat of the music. Whenever you’re doing a recording session, that’s the very first thing you report. You report the bass and the drums first, then go on to a dummy vocal monitor. For those who’re a dummy and also you’re singing, it’s a dummy vocal monitor.

I’m simply kidding. However sure, the bass and drums drive Tejano music. Then you could have the guitar, which gives the rhythm, if you’ll. The bass goes growth, the guitar goes chat-chat, and the drums tie all of it collectively. So, I’d rank bass and drums tied first, then guitar, after which the keyboard. It’s important.

Often, the keyboard gives the opening lead after which provides the dressing. The keyboard is the dressing on the salad. For those who eat the salad dry, it should style higher. However whenever you add some scrumptious dressing, that’s what the keyboards and horns are.

I’d give vocals an honourable point out. By way of driving drive, bass and drums are primary. After all, the vocals deserve an honourable point out for driving drive. They’re the physique of the tune. The human physique has pores and skin and bones, however with out the center, arteries, DNA, and white cells, the physique received’t stand. It’s like having no knees—the physique falls. The singing is the physique of the tune.

The voice and the phrases are the enticing a part of the music. The phrases are the attractive dance, the motion. However the bass and drums are the tune’s heartbeat, drive, and power. Cartilage and ligaments, which join the whole lot, can be the keyboards and the guitar. That’s how I’d reply that.

Jacobsen: Was this found as finest apply over time, or has it at all times been that manner?

Mata: It’s at all times been that manner as a result of that’s how it’s. For instance, let’s say you wish to be a Tejano artist and begin a band. For those who’re a singer, you possibly can’t go on stage and sing, anticipating everyone to bop and observe and not using a bass. There’s no construction, no coronary heart. You have to end up drummer and bass participant to get a band collectively. It’s been that manner for the reason that starting of Tejano’s time.

Jacobsen: For those who have been to report a tune, why is beginning with the bass beat foundational? It’s doable to construction in reverse order should you’re eager about a recording studio with out regard to the viewers as a result of the top product is the tune. However should you do it that reverse manner, what occurs? What chaos ensues?

Mata: Apparently sufficient, many bands, together with The Beatles, once they first began recording with solely two tracks, would report the entire tune collectively: bass, drums, guitar, and vocals. Then, they might do some backup vocals as one other monitor. To get the texture and vitality of the tune, some bands report it as a band, which may be very efficient. To reply your manufacturing query, sure, it will be chaotic should you tried to do a tune with out beginning with the bass and the drums. Folks want to grasp that music is math—time signatures: 1, 2, 12, 1234, 12, 3.

Let’s say we do 8 bars. For those who’re in 4/4 time, 8 bars of 4/4 equals 32 beats: 1-2-3-4, 2. 8 instances 4 is 32. So, the drums and the bass are the maths behind the tune. For those who attempt to sing or play the guitar or keyboard first, you could possibly arrange the maths if the keyboard participant is nice with a click on monitor. In case your keyboard participant has to exit of city, you could possibly report his monitor first. Then, you’d report bass, drums, and guitar. They may all be recorded concurrently, however you’d begin with the keyboards for a keeper recording after which wrap up the keyboard monitor.

The keyboard will likely be on time should you’re utilizing a click on monitor. Earlier than clicking tracks, bands are recorded by really feel, which may be difficult and not using a strong metronome. Recording on really feel means the texture comes from the bass and drums, not the keyboard. Following the bass and drums fairly than the keyboard, vocalist, or guitarist makes extra sense. Sure, it will be chaotic in any other case. Some artists begin with drums and guitars, however drums are at all times first. Mathematically, the widespread denominator is the drums.

Jacobsen: So, you’re describing the construction of a city or the development course of?

Mata: Appropriate. It might be like placing in a home’s piping and electrical work with out laying the muse.

Jacobsen: Like placing the cart earlier than the horse?

Mata: Precisely. It may very well be performed, however it will be fairly a feat. That is essential as a result of Tejano music is supposed to be danced to. It has to have a strong beat. Folks dance to Tejano music. Whilst you can dance to classical music, Tejano is primarily for motion. Musicians realize it needs to be structurally sound by way of timing, rhythm, and the make-up of the devices. You need a hook from the start and a pleasant, catchy intro, often with the keyboard or a horn part.

The tune’s construction sometimes contains an intro, the primary verse, then a refrain, again to the intro, one other verse, a refrain, and generally a center 8. The same old construction is the intro, verse, refrain, instrumentation (a variation of the intro), verse 2, refrain, and out.

Jacobsen: There was a Kenyan grasp of an instrument known as the nyatiti named Ayub Ogada. I recommend everybody studying this go and take heed to songs like “Obiero” or one thing related. In his final interview, Ayub Ogada talked about how his instrument was meant to be performed communally. He described how, each time he performed, he gave a part of himself away. His common philosophy on life got here from the communal facet of music. He figured that he would have given the remainder of himself away when he lastly stopped being right here. It was about giving oneself by way of one’s instrument to the group, being a part of it, and being in it. It’s stunning to Western ears that somebody like that even exists, however many like him exist. Do you suppose this concept of Tejano music being dance music is a part of that commonality? In our first session, we mentioned how folks taking part in in these Tejano bands entertained these working a few of the hardest blue-collar jobs.

Mata: Sure. To start with, I profoundly determine with that philosophy. My life has gotten difficult relating to relationships as a result of, as a musician, that is what I do as a profession. I don’t know if I shared this with you but, however this could be the primary time. It’s my philosophy that, for me, it’s obligatory. Earlier than we began the session, I talked about how difficult it’s to get wealthy and well-known. I’m not wealthy and well-known for the sake of vainness however for with the ability to have my recording studio, purchase the very best devices doable, and make use of different artists. That’s my vainness. However to get to that degree, it’s important to give the whole lot.

Ayub Ogada says he provides his instrument; I need to give the whole lot. I’ve been in relationships the place I instructed musicians this, and now I’m telling you for the primary time as a result of it’s a part of my evolution. As a musician, and this is applicable to my Mexican tradition and Tejano roots, we’re very delicate. We’ll provide the shirt off our again, however should you don’t give me your shirt, look out.

As a musician, I give the whole lot. Earlier than this session, I used to be late as a result of I used to be engaged on a tune. I may very well be out doing a dozen different issues, however I keep right here and apply all day. So, after I’m in a relationship, and my girlfriend or good friend is having a celebration, if I’m not the primary individual they consider to rent for music, then both she doesn’t care about me, or I should be higher.

You must be so good that when folks say, “I’m gonna have a celebration,” they suppose, “I gotta get JD.” For those who’re not the go-to man in your family members, you’re not ok, and you’ll’t anticipate success. You have to be so good that you just’re the primary individual they name. In any other case, you’re simply spinning your wheels.

You must have it to narrate to what you’re saying. You possibly can’t give what you don’t have. You have to be so good that to share the music with everybody, you need to have it. The one solution to have it’s to work onerous. For those who don’t have it, the folks round you’ll inform you by not asking. They’ll inform you by omission. I used to be relationship somebody, they usually had two or three events, and I wasn’t requested to play.

Jacobsen: Did they ever need you to come back over to play, contemplating this individual had a piano?

Mata: I don’t know what the rationale is, however I failed due to my mind-set. I should be higher. That could be why I’m not well-known but, however I’m engaged on it.

Jacobsen: American tradition is famously individualistic, if not hyper-individualistic. Mexican tradition is extra communal. Do you suppose Tejano music, being a combination of polka, Texan components, and a few Mexican music, is extra influenced by Mexican communal tradition than American individualism?

Mata: Sure, it’s certainly Mexican. It’s patriarchal in that the male typically dominates the household construction in Mexican tradition. For a very long time, Tejano music was male-dominated. However then, with Selena and others like Laura Canales and Shelley Lares, feminine entertainers began breaking the glass ceiling.

Patriarchal. That’s the phrase. It’s patriarchal as a result of male dominance is obvious. You have to be daring and courageous to get in entrance of individuals, carry out, and set your self up for scrutiny. There’s a specific amount of craziness and madness required to place your self up for scrutiny. This is applicable to Tejano music and doubtless different genres, too.

The need to be invited to play can also be existential as a result of should you’re not taking part in, you’re not consuming. So, it’s survival of the fittest. The strongest musically survive. That is Mexican-oriented as nicely. Mexican tradition is family-oriented and group-oriented, however there’s at all times the dominant one within the household, the alpha, and the alpha in music.

Jacobsen: A communal patriarchal hierarchy, proper?

Mata: Sure, precisely. Mexican alpha. Music is so much about emotions and feelings. If somebody retains returning to a tune, one thing in regards to the rhythm or the lyrics touches them, and it’s tough to disregard them.

Jacobsen: I used to be within the college choir for 2 and a half years. Any exterior stressor may dampen my really feel for a tune, which might have been extra expressive in a previous context. Suppose artists wrestle with lease or meals or have difficulties with associates or companions who need assistance understanding the creative pursuit. How does that influence their skill to envelope their feelings in efficiency and apply? Is it a skilled ability to beat that blockade?

Mata: Sure. It’s one thing you both have, otherwise you don’t. It’s an inherent ability. One in all my largest pet peeves is when folks inform me, “It is advisable get a job.” It’s like, f-you. That is my job. I’m an artist. I’m a musician. I’m an actor. I’m a filmmaker. That’s what I do. For those who’re not being compensated, it’s important to determine it out. You must get ok. It might assist to place your self in the appropriate place and time for issues to occur.

In contrast to academia, the place you examine onerous and get your bachelor’s, grasp’s, and PhD. Within the music trade, performing trade, or any artistic trade, you possibly can work your ass off, however there are so few alternatives on the market. A part of the genetic make-up needs to be the drive to do it it doesn’t matter what. There can be a thousand extra Tejano artists or musicians if onerous work alone decided success. It’s onerous work, however it’s additionally luck. It’s about displaying up too.

It’s 80% inspiration and 20% perspiration. It might assist should you caught it out and didn’t depart a day earlier than the miracle occurred. That drive can’t be taught. It’s one thing innate.

Jacobsen: Do you suppose the setting can reinforce or modify this, regardless that it’s largely innate?

Mata: I don’t suppose so. I’m considering of Jason Castaneda, an unbelievable piano participant and singer. Look that cat up. He’s nice. He performed Tejano. He was a lot better than me as a musician, however I had the drive to carry out extra. He turned a profitable lawyer with an enormous home and all these pianos and guitars. He had to surrender music to develop into wealthy and profitable, however he received’t be well-known. Possibly I’ll make him well-known now. I hypothesize that you just both have the “it” issue, the genetic make-up, the inherent skill to stay it out it doesn’t matter what, otherwise you don’t. It shouldn’t be taught.

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Picture Credit score: J.D. Mata.

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