Traditional Spanish/Mexican Song | Multi-Level Masterpiece Arrangement by Michael Linert
Commissioned by the Aspen Music Festival and School 2022
The video above is from the Aspen Music Festival and School’s 2026 performance at the Mariachi Workshop and Celebration. More videos can be found below!
This work is currently not available for licensing. Join the newsletter to receive a notification when this work will be available! Check out currently available works here!
Part Instructions - Version 6/1/26
(Videos - Coming Soon!)
Welcome and Part Overview
These parts show just a normal 1st ending and 2nd ending, however the video above demonstrates utilizing the 1st ending twice before continuing to the 2nd ending.
1st Time: Verse 1
2nd Time: Instrumentals Only
3rd Time: Verse 2
This work has many different verse for many different occasions/reasons. Additional verses can be created and sung buy the musicians, if desired!
Condensed Score
Creating a score that fully-encompasses each of the parts for each of the instruments would be either too large or would require to small of print for usability. The condensed score shows the correct rhythms, dynamics, bowings, strumming directions, articulations, and other part text. It also shows the correct pitches at concert pitch, though the ranges and octave leaps will differ greatly depending on the instrument.
Melody 1 - Heart and Vast
The “Heart” and “Vast” Melody 1 parts are identical in everything except the pitches. The “Heart” parts feature a reasonable register that minimizes extensive range, including shifting for strings. The “Vast” parts have an extended range, particularly navigating higher in each instrument’s register, though in some cases, the “Heart” parts may be more preferable for performance.
Melody 1 - Vast Parts Are Currently Available For:
Violin
Viola
Cello
Double Bass
Vihuela
Guitarrón
Melody 2 - Heart and Vast
Melody 2 is identical to Melody 1 in all aspects except that the pitches are typically a third lower. This adds a characteristic melodic harmony when both parts are played together.
Melody 2 - Vast Parts Are Currently Available For:
Violin
Viola
Cello
Double Bass
Vihuela
Guitarrón
Harmony - Essence
These parts are written for C, Bb, Eb, and F instruments and mainly play on beat 1 to give musicians more time to switch chords. Since the style of this piece is that of a Mariachi Ranchera Valseada, where the bass instrument(s) would typically play on beat 1 with chords played on beats 2 and 3, this part should be played softer if played simultaneously with the Harmony - Heart part.
Options:
Play root of the chord following the score rhythm. (Bows can be used, though this part is typcially played by guitars/vihuelas and thus plucked/strummed. Bowings are written under the notes.)
Pluck (or bow) one or more of the non-root notes of the chords. Options are listed below:
C Instruments
G: G B D
C: C E G
D7: D F# A C
G7: G B D F
Bb Instruments
A: A C# E
D: D F# A
E7: E G# B D
A7: A C# E G
Eb Instruments
E: E G# B
A: A C# E
B7: B D# F# A
E7: E G# B D
F Instruments
D: D F# A
G: G B D
A7: A C# E G
D7: D F# A C
Strum the notes of the chords, playing two or more notes at a time. All strums should be played “down stroke” with the back of the nails of the right hand fingers. Violins and violas can hold their instruments in “guitar position”.
Harmony - Heart
These parts are written for C, Bb, Eb, and F instruments and showcase the traditional rhyhm of guitars and vihuelas of a Mariachi in this Ranchera Valseada style. The options for performance are the same as the Harmony - Essence parts.
Bassline - Heart
Play, as written with a shortened articulation. (For bowed strings: plucking is more authentic, but if using the bow, play with a shortened articulation.)
Pluck in octaves, playing the lowest two notes of your instrument of the written pitch. Pluck with your thumb and 1st finger OR thumb and 2nd finger.
Musicians can play just the downbeats, if needed.
Roots
These parts are written for C, Bb, Eb, and F instruments to be played alongside the other parts, but without the need for staff notation. The pitches shown in each box are the roots of each chord. Officially they do not show the quality of the chord (Major, Minor, 7th, etc.)
Rhythm 1
Piano / Harp - Melody 1 & 2 - Heart / Bassline - Vast
The top note of the melody line can also be doubled an octave lower.
Accompaniment
Includes both the “Harmony (Realized) - Heart” and “Bassline - Vast”
Vocals
To keep the contour of the melody intact, it is true that the range may not be comfortable/appropriate range for all singers. The overall tessitura of the line was written to prevent copious usage of ledger lines, not necessarily to notate the exact octave in which to sing. For “De Colores”, any comfortable range would be historically appropriate for performance. In some cases, switching registers between phrases (preferred) or within phrases may be necessary.
Lyrics
Includes the written Spanish lyrics.
Conducting Recommended Kickoff
1, 2, 3, 1
Errata, Requests, and Possible Future Updates - Version 6/1/26
The Melody 1 and 2 rhythms of m. 55 and 63 can be updated to the rhythm of m. 1 and 9. The change of rhythm was done on purpose to highlight the text of the chorus, but this aspect will likely be unified in future arrangements for simplicity of form.
A slur can be added in m.29 for all melody parts. The circle bow in m.30 would need to be removed.
Melody 2 - Notes can be changed in m. 74-end as follows (GABABCDB C B) to enhance the melodic harmony.
A contrapuntal “Sparkle” part may be considered to add an additional layer of complexity.
Melody 1 - Essence parts may be added in the future to serve as a bridge to the Heart and Vast parts. The Essence part would include simplified rhythms that still align with the Heart and Vast parts.
Additional Melody and Bassline Vast parts will be considered.
Separate harp and piano parts will be considered, and fills (glissandos) will likely be added. A fuller approach to the chords of each will be considered, though the current goal of these Multi-Level Masterpiece arrangements is that each part is playable by the other instruments, so we may keep this aspect still on the simpler side.
Bassline - Essence parts with simplified rhythms will be considered.
The video below is from an Orchestra, Mariachi and Choir performance at Westminster High School (Colorado) as part of their Homecoming Pep Assembly!
The video below is from the 2022 premiere performance at the Aspen Music Festival and School’s Mariachi Workshop and Celebration!