Norteño (Spanish: "northern") is a style of traditional Mexican music that originated in rural northern Mexico in the early 20th century, a form of conjunto based largely on corridos and polka. The accordion is its most characteristic instrument. Norteño is extremely popular among first-generation Mexicans in both the inner city barrios and the rural countrysides of the United States and Mexico.

In the 1950s, the spread of conjunto and norteño into southern Texas gave rise to Tejano (or "Tex-Mex"), which in its modern version is also influenced by rock and swing. Another norteño-derived style is banda, which uses brass instruments.

Some of the most popular norteño artists include Los Tigres del Norte, Los Rieleros del Norte, Los Huracanes del Norte , and Adolfo Urías.

The sound of norteño

In the past, norteño bands consisted of an accordion as the lead instrument, with the bajo sextos (a large Mexican guitar) serving as the roots of the music. Today, a modern norteño band usually consists of an accordion, one or more bajo sextos, an electric guitar, and a drum set. Click here to hear what a typical norteño song sounds like. (Un Puño de Tierra by Ramon Ayala )

See also

• Music of Mexico
• Banda