Secrets of a Mariachi Violinist

by D.R. Ransdell

D.R. Ransdell would have never guessed that nostalgia for living in Mexico would lead her to join a mariachi band in Tucson, Arizona. Nor would she have guessed that learning by ear could be such a devilish challenge. Despite scheming rivals and flirtatious compadres, she persevered. She participated in stage performances and rowdy house parties while learning song after song. In her book the former Illinoisan recounts memorable evenings at El Mariachi Restaurant and describes the exasperating process of relearning technique and new musical traditions. Her cheerful vignettes inspire readers to embrace their own love of music as well as this amazing art form. Ransdell begins her story in Mexico, where she first encountered a mariachi band. Although she later played in an orchestra, she was intrigued by a friend's tales of playing folk music. She loved teaching English in Durango, Mexico, but pitifully poor wages drove her to Tucson, Arizona, where she wiggled into a mariachi band herself. Getting into the group was the easy part. To her great surprise, none of the music was written down! She needed to learn parts without the benefit of sheet music, and then she needed to keep all the songs straight. She had no practice at learning by ear, and she didn't have a strong musical memory. She had to resort to a tape recorder and lots of hours of practice to start the very long process of learning to fit in with the group. Despite hardships, she relished the time she spent performing at a local restaurant. She became friends with her fellow performers and learned to accept their foibles. Through set after set, she found immense pleasure in performing beloved songs. She also played at resorts, private parties, cemeteries, and open houses. She even had the chance to meet famous musicians such as Vicente Fernandez and Vikki Carr. Once her group disbanded, Ransdell had to reinvent her musical self. She describes in detail the ego-shattering process of taking lessons and relearning to read music. She shares her musical aspirations but also speaks candidly of problems and laughable situations she encountered along the way. Her memoir is a love song to mariachi playing. The anecdotes, all truthful in nature, point out the challenges of learning this style of music but also detail some of the more immediate rewards. The information makes mariachi music more accessible to readers who are unfamiliar with this style, but it will draw empathy as well as laughter from music lovers as well as musicians, whether they play on stage or in their backyards."

214 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2016

About the author

D.R. Ransdell performs in a mariachi band where zealous customers, scheming musicians, and jealous spouses provide countless plots for the Andy Veracruz Mysteries. She also writes travel-themed fiction about the Campanello sisters. Her musical memoir is a tell-all about how she learned to play mariachi music. Yes, the names were changed to protect the guilty!

More recently, she set Party Wine in her cousins' village in the Old Country (Italy). She's about to release Dervla Alarms the Nanas, a Tucson-based mystery in which a young woman teams up with two nanas to solve domestic crimes.

D.R. resides in Tucson where she can swim outside all year long--and play pickleball! She’s currently drafting a mystery that takes place in Lugano, a beautiful Swiss lake town. To pay for plane tickets, she teaches first-year writing at the University of Arizona. https://www.dr-ransdell.com

Andy Veracruz Mysteries:
MARIACHI MEDDLER
ISLAND CASUALTY
DIZZY IN DURANGO
SUBSTITUTE SOLOIST
--

Travel-themed fiction:
AMIROSIAN NIGHTS (Greece)
THAI TWIST (Thai Twist)
--

Musical Memoir:
SECRETS OF A MARIACHI VIOLINIST

Cat Poetry:
THE SECRET LIVES OF THE PINK HOUSE CATS

Reviews

[Coleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book written by a great lady!

This first person true account by D.R. Ransdell tells her story and Secrets as a Mariachi violinist. I know what a violin is, but I had no idea what mariachi meant before reading the book. Interesting throughout, I waited too long to look up mariachi music on the internet, with many specifically named songs. YES. I knew all of the old ones from my days of watching The Cisco Kid, and Zorro. I loved them. I only wish I had listened to the music while I was reading the book.

Nevertheless, the book was truly enjoyable and the author is quite talented. In addition to obtaining quite a bit of formal education, learning multiple languages, playing various musical instruments, and writing this non-fiction first person book, [where does she find the time?] D.R. has written a number of fiction mysteries involving a mariachi band leader which I know I will love.

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. As I occasionally do, I had put the book aside and other books jumped ahead on my to-read pile. The whole time I was reading this book, I kept asking myself, 'Why didn't I read this book sooner?' Now I will listen to this mariachi music and even go to a Mexican restaurant without complaining that I do not like Mexican food!

[Debra Borchert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful journey into the world of Mariachi through the eyes of a Female Player!
D.R. Ransdell has a great self-deprecating sense of humor that made me laugh out loud. Her insights on the machismo of Mariachi are rich and funny. Her dedication to the craft of musicianship is impressive. I can’t wait to read her mystery series staring a Mariachi player turned sleuth.
Brava!

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I like Mariachi music, but I had never thought of what goes on behind the scenes, or how difficult it would be to start playing it. It is fascinating that none of the music is written down and you learn it all by doing it and listening. It is also neat listening to an outsider’s perspective breaking into the Mariachi world. You can tell how much the author loves the music.

[Melinda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets of a Mariachi Violinist by D.R. Ransdell is an autobiography that tells how she came to be a member of a Mariachi band. D.R. Ransdell has led an interesting life. A woman in a Mariachi band was not the usual. She tells of her life in Mexico and the move back to Tucson. She shows the different cultures and how they can exist and be enjoyed and loved. Her experiences in the Mariachi band continue to be part of her life as she uses them in the books that she writes. It was a story that made you laugh and cry and kept your attention. It is well written.

I received a copy thru a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew next to nothing about Mariachi music before reading D.R.'s book. Now I still don't know much, but I can appreciate it better. I plan to read her first mystery, Mariachi Murder, again. I think having read this book will increase my enjoyment of the mystery.
It happens that D.R. was one of my fourth grade students when I was teaching elementary school.

[Mary Nee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny and sad story about a woman who was in a Mariachi band. It was interesting, you will enjoy it.

[Denise]

What fun. Makes me want to go out to hear mariachi.

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading about Mariachi made me want Mexican food. I enjoyed the food.

I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway.

[Grete · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

I'm always a little leery of self-published books, but this one was like talking to a friend. D.R. seems like she would be a kick in the pants, and her book about finding her way to becoming a mariachi violinist is entertaining.