John Contreras plays the guitarron, a stringed bass guitar that keeps the beat in modern mariachi music.Contreras is trying to revive use of some older mariachi instruments in his group, like the smaller guitarra de golpe. Many mariachi groups also have a harp player. Guitars are the rhythm section in mariachi bands. (Julia Barton)

A Mariachi Life

John Contreras plays the guitarron, a stringed bass guitar that keeps the beat in modern mariachi music.Contreras is trying to revive use of some older mariachi instruments in his group, like the smaller guitarra de golpe. Many mariachi groups also have a harp player. Guitars are the rhythm section in mariachi bands.

Credit: Julia Barton