Bajo Sexto Essay

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The bajo sexto is a unique Mexican stringed instrument. The name bajo sexto translates to English as “sixth bass”. It is a combination of both a bass guitar and a regular guitar. No one really knows the origins of the instrument. It was in the 1800’s when the instrument first appeared, but has gained popularity since then. It is also to have been said it could be the ancestor to both the bass guitar and the twelve string guitar. Since it plays both bass and guitar it is used for folk music. It is popular in the northern part of Mexico, which plays norteno music and also Tex-Mex. The bajo sexto has started to appear in other genres of music like Cumbia, Banda and Narco corridos. Since it has become very popular, Mexican states have started …show more content…

While a standard tuning of a guitar is E-A-D-G-B-E. So only the first two highest string are tuned slightly higher. Originally the bajo sexto was tuned lower and had only six string. As time passed on it has evolved to having 12 strings. The bajo sexto has a larger body and a thicker neck to support the tension of the strings, compared to an ordinary guitar. Nowadays the bajo sexto has a body is similar to that of modern guitars. It can be either be an acoustic, electric or both. The husky, hoarse sound of the refashioned bajo sexto is capable of both bass rhythm and harmony, this gives it great flexibility for other instruments like the accordion. Materials used to making the instruments is similar to other modern guitars. Usually it is made of either maple, spruce, mahogany, rosewood and other exotic wood materials. It represents a key contribution by Mexican instrument makers to local traditions and, increasingly, international musical …show more content…

Those that play the instrument are called Jaliyaa. There are two theories on how the instrument came about. One involves a person traveling through a forest and he was hearing beautiful music as he walked. He went out to seek it and found the instrument being played by a spirit. He asked to learned to play it, but in return the spirit wanted him to marry his daughter. He agreed to marry, but after a few years he escaped and brought it to his people. The other version states the korra was basically a Mande harp that they added strings to. The kora can be reference to the 16th or 17th

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