Tejano – A person of Mexican descent born in Texas. Texas is called Tejas in Spanish. The style of Accordion Conjunto, Tex/Mex or Regional is sometimes called Tejano music or music from Texas.

Norteño – The style of Accordion Conjunto musicfrom the northern border states of Mexico.

Conjunto – What a band, group or ensemble is called in the Tejano culture. The breakdown of the word conjunto is, con meaning “with” and junto meaning “together” or “joined”.

Bajo Sexto – An instrument some people believe came from Spain while others believe it evolved from the Jalisco region of Mexico. There have been well known Bajo Sexto makers, however the one person who consistently made great Bajo Sexto’s was Martin Macias. He passed away in 1983. Some musicians say his Bajos were/are the equivalent of a Stradivarius violin and are as highly regarded as Fender guitars from the 1950’s or as prized as any vintage Martin guitar. The evolution of the Macias Bajo Sextos has seen them get smaller/thinner in dimensions due to the use of electric pick-ups. Initially the instrument was made larger to give it a loud, rich and resonant quality that made it perfect for accompanying lead instruments such as violins, guitars and for eventually the perfect mate, the diatonic accordion. The art of playing a Bajo Sexto in all of it’s 12 string glory is quickly disappearing with the emergence and popularity of the so called Bajo Quinto that only has 10 strings. Some of the more popular styles of Conjunto music today have lessened/limited the role of the Bajo Sexto & Bajo Quinto.

Diatonic “Button” Accordion – The Tejano Conjunto Regional style of music as we know it was created as a result of the mating of the Diatonic Accordion and the Bajo Sexto. The German culture centered in the New Braunsfels, Texas area is credited for introducing the “Button” Accordions to the Tejanos. The first button accordions had only one line of buttons. The accordions progressed to two rows of buttons and eventually to the three row button accordions popularized by Tejano and Norteno Conjuntos. For a while, Hohner German Accordions dominated the Tejano and Norteno market. Now there are several brands being used by the Conjuntos. The accordion is also popular in South American countries where the accordion has made it’s mark in the different cultural styles played there.