Over the last century or more Mariachi evolved from religious services, to theatrical music, to street musicians and to the modern music scene with a variety of cultural forms.
The dress has shifted from traditional area work clothes to the attire of the charro: tight pants, short jackets trimmed with large silver buttons, silver buckled belts, large bow ties, sombreros and short boots.
Mariachi music includes instruments and vocals melded into the different regional styles of all Mexico. The famous La Bamba is a happy mix of Spanish, African and native rhythms.
Mariachi also includes regional dance. Dancing may include hard rhythmic heel stomping, straight backed with gliding, shuffling footwork. It can also be waltzes, polkas, schottisches or other regional dance.
Today's full Mariachi ensemble includes violins, vihuela, guitar, guitarrón and trumpets. The vocals are sung in clear and most often classical-trained voices with strength and clarity.