Son mexicano (Spanish: [ˈsom mexiˈkano]) is a style of Mexican folk music and dance that encompasses various regional genres, all of which are called son. The term son mexicano literally translates to “the Mexican sound” in English. Mexican sones are often rooted in a mix of Spanish, African, and Indigenous musical elements.
Major son traditions are located in the La Huasteca region, the Gulf coast, the Pacific coast of Guerrero and Oaxaca, Michoacán and Jalisco (where it later developed into mariachi). The music is historically played on string instruments such as guitars and violins, with elements which have not changed since the Spanish baroque music that was introduced into Mexico during the colonial period. The dance associated with this music is social and often includes a stomping rhythm on a raised platform to provide percussion.
