At our local regular session last night I was admiring a friends new bass (150 years old, black, battered and a beautiful sound) when conversation turned to acoustic bass guitars used in Mexican bands (I think they are called Mariachi bands).

None of us seemed to know much about these bands, other than what we have seen in B grade movies or read about in Mitchener's book about Mexico.

Can any one at Mudcat help with some information such as;

What sought of music do they play ? Where can I find some of this music (in written form or midi) ? Can they be considered traditional or a modern invention ? Is the name and spelling correct ? What instruments are used in the band ? And, most importantly, what are the features of the bass ?

If any one can help I be grateful.

By the way, we hold our sessions on the first Tuesday of each month at Churinga Café, Mt Dandenong - about 35 klm east of Melbourne, Australia. The setting is magnificent – temperate rain forest, beautiful gardens (it's spring here), enormous trees and mountain air. There is no amplification and very few rules – it's simple but it works. Songs are popular at the moment but six months ago it was tunes. So if you are passing by, come and join in and maybe give us a song or poem or a tune.

Thanks, Phil