As part of the 26th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza, Mariachi Vargas trumpet player Agustín Sandoval created a three-part video tutorial on mariachi trumpet techniques.
Agustín starts off the series with a tutorial on trumpet articulation. In music, articulation can be defined as the way a specific note or melodic phrase should sound in regard to its style. Examples of articulation include: legato, meaning smooth or in a flowing manner, and staccato, which means to be performed with each note sharply detached.
The second video in the series is a tutorial on trumpet vibrato. Vibrato is the manipulation of the airstream during a note to create a sense of warmth and expressiveness.
Lastly, Agustín concludes the series by applying methods from the first two videos in a tutorial of Son de la Negra.
Agustín is one of three trumpet players in Mariachi Vargas. The Guadalajara, México native picked up the trumpet at the age of 8 and comes from a long line of mariachi musicians. He has a degree in music from the Universidad de Guadalajara and has performed as a soloist with a wide variety of ensembles. His diverse musical background includes symphonic music, big band and modern jazz. Prior to joining Vargas, Agustín was a member of Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán and Mariachi Real de Oro in Guadalajara. He is a cousin to former Vargas member Steeven Sandoval.
Make sure to check out our harp tutorial series with Victor Alvarez on the MariachiMusicDotCom YouTube channel.
Videos were shot and edited by SolarShot. English subtitles available by pressing the CC button of the video player.
These online tutorials are free thanks to support from Gonzaba Medical Group, H.E.B. and the San Antonio Independent School District Fine Arts Department.
Be sure to mark your calendar for the 27th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza December 1–5, 2021. Although we aren’t 100% sure if a live, in person event will take place this year, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that life will be back to normal soon and we’ll reunite with everyone in San Antonio in December. What we do know at this time is that the Lila Cockrell Theatre, the primary location for the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza, will begin reopening their doors in February after being closed since June last year. We’ll continue to share updates with you so please stay connected with us and encourage your friends to sign up to receive the mariachimusic.com newsletter.
In the meantime, stay safe, wear your mask, wash your hands and practice social distancing!
