The music originated in the center-west of Mexico. Most claims for its origin lie in the state of Jalisco but neighboring states of Colima, Nayarit, and Michoacán have also claimed it. However, by the late 19th century, the music was firmly centered in Jalisco.

The mariachi orchestra emerged in the late 1700s or early 1800s in west-central Mexico. The word mariachi may have come from the now-extinct language of the Coca Indians, but both the word's etymology and the early history of the form and its followers are unknown.

The Vihuela Mexicana provides and maintains the tonality for the ensemble, which is the pitch preference. The Guitarrón, Vihuela Mexicana and Guitar together are commonly referred to as the rhythm section or las armonías). The Vihuela Mexicana was the instrument preferred by the mariachi musicians in central Jalisco.

ma·​ri·​a·​chi ˌmär-ē-ˈä-chē ˌmer- 1. : a small, strolling, Mexican band consisting usually of trumpeters, guitarists, and violinists. also : a musician belonging to such a band.